How to help people with disabilities find more — and better — jobs? Collaboration, advocates say

Erik Marschel, a 27-year-old with a disability, finds his work at TCF Bank Stadium and Marcus Theatres incredibly rewarding. But it also took him a lot of diligent effort to coordinate with the many agencies and providers needed to find a job that fit his needs, he said.

“It is important to work,” Marschel told the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee Friday. “I really like to earn money, interact with people, and give back to my community … It may take time, but it is worth it.”

HF2971 aims to help other people with disabilities find rewarding employment, but with fewer challenges, said Hunter Cantrell (DFL-Savage), the bill sponsor.

It would direct the Human Services, Education, and Employment and Economic Development departments of to build on their current collaborative efforts by creating a series of plans to help people with disabilities secure competitive, integrated employment.

“We do need an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Cantrell said. “That means employers; that means folks with disabilities; that means making sure everyone has a seat at the table.”

The bill was approved as amended Friday and referred to the House Labor Committee.

A companion, SF3003, is sponsored by Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) and awaits action by the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee.

The first of these plans would focus on assisting young people with disabilities who are considered “transition-age,” or between the ages of 14 and 24, and expanding employment for people with significant disabilities – who historically have struggled to achieve and maintain competitive employment.

The second plan would address ways of prioritizing and incentivizing competitive integrated employment, stressing the importance of customized options, tailored to the need of each individual. It also would emphasize equitable access for people with “unique barriers,” including people of color, Native Americans, residents of Greater Minnesota, and people with disabilities and mental illness who are ineligible for Medicaid waivers.

The bill would also establish reporting requirements to keep the program accountable and measure and improve the quality of different approaches. Related discussions regarding data privacy will likely be held in the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division, Cantrell said.

A joint report outlining the plans, including legislative recommendations, would be required by Aug. 1, 2021.

“This is an exhaustive approach. … This is an enormous undertaking,” Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) said, expressing concern about the scale of the bill and asking if Cantrell had considered rolling out the changes in smaller pieces.

Cantrell said that the stakeholders involved had indicated they were up to the task, and he was confident in their self-assessments.