MN APSE

07/29/2026

🌟 You're Invited to MN APSE's August Mingle! 🌟

The best conversations often happen after the meeting! Join us for the August MN APSE Mingle as we connect with colleagues, share ideas, and strengthen our Employment First community.

📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕓 4:00 PM
📍 Burger Moe's

We'll gather immediately following the MN APSE Board Meeting (which begins at 3:00 PM).

Whether you're an MN APSE member, employment professional, self-advocate, colleague, friend, or family member, we'd love to see you there! It's a great opportunity to build new connections, catch up with familiar faces, and enjoy meaningful conversations with others who are passionate about advancing competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.

✨ No RSVP needed—just stop by, grab a seat, and join the conversation. We hope to see you there!

07/28/2026

Everyone deserves the opportunity to work, contribute, and thrive.
Brian's story is a powerful example of what's possible when people are supported based on their strengths and interests—not limited by assumptions.
After spending 30 years in a center-based facility and being told he was unemployable, Brian's life changed through the Minnesota Transformation Initiative and the dedicated employment specialists at PHASE Industries. He found meaningful work recycling batteries, earned his first paycheck, and became an active, valued member of his community.
His journey reminds us that meaningful employment transforms lives, builds confidence, and strengthens our communities.
🎥 Watch Rethinking What Works: Brian's Story here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJiXkQV8oA
Let's continue rethinking what's possible and creating opportunities for everyone.

07/20/2026

📢 Building the Future of Employment First in Minnesota

Save the date for the 2026 Minnesota APSE State Conference—a full day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and innovation in advancing competitive integrated employment.

This year's conference will feature three dynamic learning tracks, including:

🎓 Transition-Age Youth & Employment
Explore school-to-work transition strategies, Customized Employment, and building successful career pathways.

🚀 Minnesota Transformation Initiative (MTI)
Learn how MTI is helping redesign services, strengthen organizational capacity, and advance Employment First across Minnesota.

💡 Innovation in Action
Hear from providers leading the way through DHS Innovation Grants and discover creative employment models, promising practices, and the latest policy updates from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Whether you're a provider, educator, vocational rehabilitation professional, county or state staff member, advocate, employer, person with a disability, or family member, you'll leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and valuable connections to support meaningful employment for all.

📍 Shoreview Community Center
🗓 Thursday, October 8, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Registration is coming soon! Stay tuned for speaker announcements, session details, and registration information.

Together, we're building the future of Employment First in Minnesota. 💙💚

07/17/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendars for the 2026 APSE Minnesota Lunch & Learn!

🗓 Thursday, September 17, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Join us for an engaging Lunch & Learn focused on advancing Employment First and creating opportunities for competitive, integrated employment for all.

✨ More details, including the featured topic and registration information, will be announced soon.

Be sure to save the date—we look forward to connecting with you!

07/15/2026

⏰ Reminder: Lunch & Learn is Tomorrow!

Don't forget to join us tomorrow, Thursday, July 16, from 12:00–1:00 PM for our next Lunch & Learn featuring Ray McCoy from Minnesota DEED.

Learn how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help employers reduce the cost of workplace accommodations while creating more inclusive workplaces and supporting employee success.

This free virtual session is a great opportunity for employment professionals, workforce staff, HR professionals, and business engagement teams to gain practical tools and resources they can use immediately.

📅 Tomorrow – Thursday, July 16
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Online via Zoom

There's still time to register!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce2srTMqEtL4Z3aGVNzJ8SR2MQf2u9R7

Bring your lunch, invite a colleague, and join us for an informative hour of learning, connection, and professional development.

We look forward to seeing you there!

07/13/2026

🍽️ Lunch & Learn: Workplace Accommodations That Work

Join us for our next Lunch & Learn on Thursday, July 16, from 12:00–1:00 PM and discover practical strategies to help employers create more inclusive workplaces.

We're excited to welcome Ray McCoy, Business Engagement and Accommodations Coordinator with Minnesota DEED, who will share how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) helps businesses reduce financial barriers to workplace accommodations while supporting the success and retention of employees with disabilities.

Whether you work in employment services, workforce development, human resources, or business engagement, you'll leave with valuable resources and practical information you can use right away.

📅 Thursday, July 16
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Online via Zoom
👥 Open to all employment professionals

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce2srTMqEtL4Z3aGVNzJ8SR2MQf2u9R7

Bring your lunch, connect with colleagues, and learn how workplace accommodations can strengthen Minnesota's workforce.

06/25/2026

05/18/2026

📣 Don’t Forget — APSE Lunch & Learn is This Thursday! 🍽️💡

Join us for an engaging APSE Lunch & Learn session focused on free and low-cost resources available for employment staff and managers. Learn where to find valuable tools, training opportunities, professional development resources, and networking supports for employment services professionals across Minnesota and beyond.

🗓 Thursday, May 21
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
💻 Online Event
👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce2srTMqEtL4Z3aGVNzJ8SR2MQf2u9R7?_x_zm_rtaid=SCF5H8sfQ2OQs1uank7jLg.1694114741254.1afdbf046819b46de156bbade0096de2&_x_zm_rhtaid=54 #/registration
🎤 Featuring: Danielle Mahovsky, University of Minnesota – Institute on Community Integration

This session is open to all employment professionals — bring your lunch and join us

05/11/2026

📣 Registration is OPEN for !

Join professionals, advocates, and leaders from across the country in Dallas, TX for APSE’s 2026 National Conference—focused on advancing Employment First and inclusive employment.

🗓 June 8–11, 2026
📍 Hyatt Regency DFW
✨ Pre-Conference: June 8
✨ Main Conference: June 9–11

This national event brings together hundreds of individuals—including service providers, employers, educators, policymakers, and people with disabilities—to share strategies, build connections, and move inclusive employment forward. ()

💡 Don’t miss:
✔️ Industry-leading training & breakout sessions
✔️ Networking with leaders and changemakers
✔️ Practical tools to advance Employment First

👉 Register now: https://apse.org/events-learning/2026-conference-copy/

Be part of the movement driving bigger solutions for inclusive employment. 💙💚