Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing Ongoing Employment Supports and Youth Services (DDBHH OESYS) Grant

The Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Ongoing Employment Supports and Youth Services grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development through its Vocational Rehabilitation Services division. This program is authorized under Minnesota Statute 268A.16 and is designed to expand employment-related services for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. The grant reflects the state’s broader commitment to equitable workforce participation and aims to ensure that individuals within this population can access meaningful, competitive, and integrated employment opportunities across Minnesota. The grant program is structured around two primary activities. The first activity focuses on providing ongoing employment support services for adults who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. These services are intended to help individuals maintain and advance in employment by addressing communication barriers and workplace integration challenges. The second activity targets transition-aged youth, offering employment services that support skill development and preparation for entering the workforce. Applicants may apply for one or both activities and must clearly indicate their chosen scope within their proposal. Funding for the program is competitively awarded, with up to 950000 dollars available for State Fiscal Year 2026. Individual awards must fall between a minimum of 50000 dollars and a maximum of 950000 dollars. The total funding supports projects over a two-year period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with funds allocated annually but usable across the full grant term. Applicants are encouraged to leverage additional funding sources, including federal, state, and private funds, to enhance program impact. Certain expenses are deemed ineligible, including fundraising costs, political contributions, and out-of-state travel. Eligibility is open to organizations or individuals with demonstrated capacity to serve deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing populations. Applicants must be based in Minnesota and possess proven experience delivering accessible employment services, including the use of American Sign Language and other communication methods. Priority is given to applicants with staff fluent in ASL, experience serving rural communities, and demonstrated ability to deliver innovative and inclusive services. Collaboration among multiple organizations is encouraged, although single-entity applications are also accepted. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package, including a project description, work plan and budget, capacity responses, certifications, and documentation verifying organizational standing and personnel qualifications. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated contact by the specified deadline. All required exhibits must be included, and incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with preparing and submitting their proposals. Proposals are evaluated through a two-stage review process. The first stage ensures compliance with submission requirements, while the second stage scores applications on a 75-point scale based on criteria such as project design, staffing, budget clarity, financial management capacity, geographic reach, and nondiscrimination policies. A review committee makes recommendations, and final award decisions are made by the Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Successful applicants will undergo a pre-award risk assessment before finalizing grant agreements. The application timeline begins with the release of the request for proposals on March 6, 2026. Questions must be submitted by March 27, 2026, and applications are due by April 6, 2026 at 4:30 pm Central Time. Review of applications begins shortly thereafter, with award notifications expected by late April 2026 and project implementation starting July 1, 2026. Questions regarding the grant must be directed to the program contact via email, and responses are published within three business days. This grant is part of a recurring state initiative to support workforce inclusion for individuals with hearing-related disabilities.

Emphasize ASL fluency strong workplan clarity and demonstrated financial management capacity align proposal directly to scoring criteria and statewide impact