MN APSE

02/17/2026

DHS and DEED, with consultant BerryDunn, have released an Analysis and Recommendations for Alignment, an inter-agency study focused on better aligning employment services for people with disabilities.
The report highlights ways to reduce administrative barriers, improve coordination between disability services and vocational rehabilitation, and strengthen integrated, person-centered employment supports across Minnesota.

➡️ What’s next: Phase II will gather feedback from service system users May 2026–March 2027.

https://disabilityhubmn.org/media/m5chpfv5/mn-dhs-deed-analysis.pdf

02/17/2026

https://apse.smapply.org/prog/national_apse_conference_proposal_form/

02/11/2026

“Big Challenges, Bigger Solutions!” — a call to action for bold thinking and practical strategies that advance competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities. All sessions should align with this vision and are strongly encouraged to highlight advocates and share real-life stories that illustrate the impact of this work. Presenters may find the APSE Universal Competencies especially helpful when designing their session; explore them here: https://apse.org/APSE-Universal-Competencies.

02/03/2026

Register today for National APSE Conference June 8th-11th. https://apse.org/2026-conference-registration-2/

02/01/2026

February 1st is National Freedom Day!

01/30/2026

We’re excited to share that four dedicated leaders will be returning to the MN APSE Board in 2026!

Dana Eisfeld (top left) from Kaposia Inc. will begin his 5th, three-year term on the state board.

Brian Begin (bottom right) from Lifeworks Services Inc., our current Co-President, will start his 4th term.

Dominique Berg (bottom left) and Dupree Edwards (top right) from the Institute on Community Integration will each begin their second terms.

We value the balance of experienced leadership and fresh perspectives. Alongside our newest board member, Debbie Rosko, we’re energized and ready to keep advancing the Employment First initiative across Minnesota.

Thank you to each of these leaders for their continued commitment and service! 💙💼♿

01/29/2026

Please join us in welcoming a new member to the MN APSE Board of Directors Debbie Rosko! Debbie works at Accord in Minneapolis and brings a strong commitment to inclusive employment and disability advocacy. We’re thrilled to have her on board! 💙

01/22/2026

✨ Celebration of Life Day – January 22 ✨

Today we celebrate life — and the many ways people are living it fully and on their own terms.

For MN APSE, employment is more than a paycheck. It’s about purpose, independence, and belonging. Every job gained, skill built, and goal achieved supports people with disabilities in living their best lives.

On Celebration of Life Day, we honor the individuals whose work and contributions remind us that disability is not a limitation — it’s part of a full, meaningful, and thriving life.

01/19/2026

12/19/2025

Minnesota APSE is looking for five (5) individuals interested in running for three-year terms on the Chapter Board. Being on the board is a great way to take an active role in a coalition advancing a pro-community employment agenda for citizens with disabilities.

Requirements for running for the Minnesota APSE Board of Directors:
All individuals running for the Minnesota APSE board must have a current membership with APSE.

Submit the APSE BOD Nomination form by December 31, 2025:
https://apse.smapply.io/prog/apse_chapter_board_of_directors_nomination

10/29/2025

This ↓ -- The Gourd Board.

Larissa Laramee and Dana Eisfeld represent Minnesota on the National APSE Board.

The National APSE Board of Directors is gathered for our Fall Retreat. Our opening activity was to identify one word to describe what each of us is feeling in relation to our work and to write that word on our gourds.

Words selected included: Passion, Linkages, Explore, Mercurial, Empower/Empowered, Proud, Action, Hopeful, Fulfilling, Value, Pioneering, Dig, Excited.

10/21/2025

On our latest episode of the MN APSE podcast, host Chris Davies' is joined by ' Shaunte Martin and Laron Gatlin-Dean. Shaunte, an Inclusion Associate and Gatlin-Dean, a Teaching Fellow, talk about their work at Cow Tipping Press -- an organization in Minneapolis that teaches inclusive writing classes for people with disabilities.