Minnesota Piloting ‘Employment First’ Model As Alternative To Segregated Workshops For People With Disabilities

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Vocational Rehabilitation Services is piloting an “Employment First” model for people with disabilities in Dakota County as an alternative to segregated workshops. The pilot, called “Way to Work,” is voluntary; it is focused on helping working-age adults with disabilities find and sustain competitive employment in integrated community settings at competitive wages. “Way to Work” launched in November 2015 for employees of a sheltered workshop operated by ProAct, Inc. As of February 2016, about 50 of the 150 people employed at the ProAct workshop had expressed interest in seeking competitive employment . . .