McLeod County approves one-year renewal of $500,000 DHS employment grant to continue disability employment supports

McLeod County on March 3 approved a one-year renewal of a Minnesota Department of Human Services lead-agency employment capacity-building grant worth $500,000 to continue services through June 2027.

Health and human services staff told the board the grant funds have primarily supported case manager time and service delivery; as of January 2026 the program had supported 322 individuals ages 16 through 64 in phases of employment programming tied to the grant. The renewal would allow the county to continue reimbursable activities and to develop incentives and materials to expand provider capacity and employment-focused supports.

A commissioner moved to approve the one-year extension and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff noted the state grant is expected to be available and that if federal or state funding circumstances change the county could continue relevant work but without reimbursement. County staff also said the program could be extended again in the future if funding and approvals permit.

The board also approved travel for Carrie Ward, a health educator, to attend a rural-welcoming convening in Emporia, Kansas; the convening will be fully covered by the hosting program and includes a $500 travel stipend.

The grant renewal preserves staff-supported employment activities that county staff said have grown in the last two years and positions the county to continue work on outreach and provider incentives tied to competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.