Specifications include, but are not limited to: The STATE seeks Proposals that support people with disabilities in locating and securing integrated housing of their choice. The Department of Justice defines the “most integrated setting” as “a setting that enables individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible.” Proposals focused on housing should align with the vision statement for housing in Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan. People with disabilities will choose where they live, with whom, and in what type of housing. They can choose to have a lease or own their own home and live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Supports and services will allow sufficient flexibility to support people’s choices on where they live and how they engage in their communities. For this grant, “their own home” is defined as a setting that: A participant owns, rents or leases in which the participant has control of their housing and full choice of service providers; and The service provider does not have a financial interest in the participant’s home (i.e., the home is not owned, leased, or operated by a service provider). Employment The STATE seeks Proposals that support people with disabilities in attaining integrated, competitive employment. Proposals focused on employment should align with the vision statement for employment in Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan. People with disabilities will have choices for competitive, meaningful, and sustained employment in the most integrated setting. Competitive, integrated employment is defined in the Minnesota Employment First policy as: Full-time, part-time, or self-employment with and without supports; In the competitive labor force; On the payroll of a competitive business or industry; Paying at least minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by workers without a disability; and Worker is fully integrated physically, functionally, and socially, within the workplace. The STATE is interested in Proposals that address the disparities in job advancement for people with disabilities in their workplace; job coaching as people with disabilities prepare to enter the workforce, and in organizations that want to support or mentor people with disabilities become entrepreneurs and develop or start their small businesses.
