DirectCourse MN Crosswalks

Crosswalk of College of Employment Supports to CESP Certification & ACRE Competency Domains

College of Employment Services (CES) Coursework Suggested Training Plans to Support MN DHS Employment Services

Introduction

Updated 6/2025

Minnesota, as an Employment First state, offers three employment services to Minnesotans who want to work in an integrated competitive community job. These services are being offered through home- and community-based services (HCBS) and are for people on the DD, CADI, BI and CAC waivers. The services include:

Employment exploration services: Services that help a person gain a better understanding of competitive, integrated employment opportunities in their community. Exploration activities and experiences strengthen a person's knowledge, interests and preferences so they can make informed decisions about competitive employment. For more information, see the Employment exploration services policy in the Community-based Services Manual (CBSM) .
Employment development services: Individualized services designed to help a person achieve competitive, integrated employment, become self-employed or establish a microenterprise business in their community. For more information, see the Employment exploration services policy in the Community-based Services Manual (CBSM) .
Employment support services: Individualized services and supports that help people maintain paid employment in community businesses/settings. Employment support services occur in integrated community settings. For more information, see the Employment exploration services policy in the Community-based Services Manual (CBSM) .

Per DHS, providers interested in providing these services must:

Enroll with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP)
Have a 245D license as an intensive support service provider
Be in compliance with the 245D rule

Providers must also ensure that employment support staff providing services are competent to do the work through demonstrated and documented competencies, in addition to meeting 245D staffing standards.

This document is a tool that shows how DirectCourse: College of Employment Services (CES) can help license holders provide competency-based training to all employment support staff to provide high quality Competitive Integrated Employment services. The document also shows how the CES modules follow the national competencies developed by the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and provide pre-approved CRC credits for people who have their CRC certification. Additionally, the document also shows modules that have been approved and accredited by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) and can be used in conjunction with an additional training module to receive ACRE certification.

The College of Employment Services (CES) curriculum is tailored to employment professionals who work alongside people with disabilities who are seeking competitive integrated employment opportunities. CES promotes a person-centered approach to employment services, honoring individual choices for jobs and careers.

This tool was created by the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota and reviewed by MN DHS.

How to Use This Tool

Review the entire document and then focus on the most useful sections with the information you need to develop a competency-based training program/plan using CES as your foundational training resource.
Design an education program and training plan that works for you and your organization. This tool provides a starting point.
This tool has several different sections:
1. Introduction – provides some basic background information on MN Employment Services
2. How to use this tool – provides some hints and tips for using this tool and designing your employment education program.
3. Suggested Modules using CES Courses and DHS Benefit Lessons – provides a suggested training plan organized into modules available on the MN DirectCourse Website.
4. Appendix – offers additional resources to help you design and develop your training program.
5. Crosswalk Chart – shows how the CES content provides training on Minnesota's employment services and aligns with MN DHS competencies, APSE CESP domains, and ACRE certification domains.
6. Developing Your Training Plan – provides some guidance for designing and developing an effective training program/ plan for employees.
7. List of Resources – provides additional links to resources related to competitive integrated employment.

Crosswalk of MN Employment Services DHS Competencies and the National CESP and ACRE Certification Domains to Applicable College of Employment Supports Content

These charts show how the CES courses align with the MN employment services, MN DHS competencies, and the National CESP and ACRE Certification Domains.

Foundational

MN Employment Services	Basic Employment Services and Benefits Training Benefits planning (employment exploration, employment development and employment support services)
MN DHS Competencies	(Applies to all Employment Service Categories) The employment specialist should: Know information about: Federal and state benefit program rules, associated work incentives and how they apply to the person’s situation Common myths about benefits and work Using the Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) website to find and utilize information and tools helpful to a person Know when and how to connect a person to resources for additional benefits planning when necessary.
CESP Certification Domains	Domain 1: Application of Core Values and Principles to Practice (Applies to all Employment Service Categories)
ACRE Competency Domains	Domain 1: Application of Core Values & Principles to Practice (Applies to all Employment Service Categories)
Recommended College of Employment Services Trainings	Basic Employment Services and Benefits Training – For All Employment Personnel CES: Foundations of Employment Services- All Lessons - 3.4 hrs. CES: Principles of Career Development – All lessons – 3.8 hrs. Custom DHS Linked Content: DHS - MN Bridging Benefits and Work (Global Module) Public Benefits A Bridge for People with Disabilities – .25 hr. Bridging Benefits and Work Part 1 – 1 hr. Bridging Benefits and Work Part 2 - .75 hr. Bridging Benefits and Work Part 3 - .75 hr.

Exploration

MN Employment Services	Employment exploration services: Services that help a person gain a better understanding of competitive, integrated employment opportunities in their community. Exploration activities and experiences strengthen a person's knowledge, interests and preferences so they can make informed decisions about competitive employment.
MN DHS Competencies	The employment specialist should: Encourage informed choice, self-determination and active participation throughout the employment process Emphasize the person’s strengths, interests and talents.
CESP Certification Domains	Domain 2: Individualized Assessment and Employment/Career Planning
ACRE Competency Domains	Domain 2: Discovery/ Individualized Assessment and Employment / Career Planning
Recommended College of Employment Services Trainings	CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part One - All lessons – 2.6 hrs. CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part Two - All lessons – 2.8 hrs. CES: Business Perspectives – Lesson 1 - .5 hr. CES: Job Creation –Lesson 1 - .5 hrs. CES: Networking – Lesson 2 – .6 hr. CES: Performance Coaching Part 1 – All Lessons – 2.4 hrs. CES: Performance Coaching and Support Part 2 – 2.2 hrs. CES: Using Work Incentives to Increase Self-Sufficiency – All Lessons – 3.3 hrs. CES: Principles of Career Development – All lessons - 3.8 hrs.

Development

MN Employment Services	Employment development services: Individualized services designed to help a person achieve competitive, integrated employment, become self-employed or establish a microenterprise business in their community.
MN DHS Competencies	The employment specialist should: Help the person in his/her job search process Market the person’s skills to employers Research and create opportunities for the person Organize information gathered (e.g., create list of employers by industry or location) Develop relationships with businesses Negotiate accommodations and conditions (e.g., hours, wages, tasks, breaks, orientation).
CESP Certification Domains	Domain 3: Community Research and Job Development
ACRE Competency Domains	Domain 3: Community Research and Job Development
Recommended College of Employment Services Trainings	CES: Business Perspectives – All Lessons – 2.4 hrs. CES: Foundations of Employment Services- All Lessons - 3.3 hrs. CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part One - All Lessons – 2.6 hrs. CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part Two - All Lessons – 2.8 hrs. CES: Principles of Career Development – All Lessons – 3.8 hrs. CES: Job Creation – All Lessons – 1.5 hrs. CES: Networking – All Lessons – 1.1 hrs.

Support

MN Employment Services	Employment support services: Individualized services and supports that help people maintain paid employment in community businesses/settings. Employment support services occur in integrated community settings.
MN DHS Competencies	The employment specialist should: Ensure the employee is included in work activities and treated like all other employees Manage travel and transportation Perform comprehensive job analysis (i.e., breaking down jobs into smaller tasks) Develop strategies for workplace supports.
CESP Certification Domains	Domain 4: Workplace and Related Supports Domain 5: Ongoing Supports
ACRE Competency Domains	Domain 4: Workplace and Related Supports
Recommended College of Employment Services Trainings	CES: Performance Coaching and Support Part 1 – All Lessons – 2.4 hrs. CES: Performance Coaching and Support Part 2 – All Lessons - 2.2 hrs. CES: Using Work Incentives to Increase Self-Sufficiency – All Lessons – 3.3 hrs. CES: Business Perspectives – All Lessons - 2.4 hrs. CES: Funding Employment Services – All lessons – 1 hr. CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part One –All Lessons – 2.6 hrs. CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part Two –All Lessons – 2.8 hrs. CES: Principles of Career Development – All Lessons - 3.8 hrs. CES: Job Creation – All Lessons – 1.5 hrs. CES: Foundations of Employment Services- All Lessons - 3.3 hrs.

Additional CES content which may be of interest, depending on the individuals being supported:

CES: Employment for People with Disabilities and Criminal Histories
CES: Employment Services for People with Mental Health Disabilities
CES: Ticket to Work by Rick Kugler
CES: Employment for People with Disabilities and Criminal Histories
CES: Employment Services for People with Mental Health Disabilities
CES: Ticket to Work by Rick Kugler
CES: Preparing for a Seamless Transition from School to Adult Life
CES: Delivering Remote Employment Services
CES: Customized Employment
CES: Employment Services for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Suggested Modules using CES Courses and DHS Benefits Lessons

Suggested Introduction Module for Employment Services and Benefits Training – For All Employment Employees

Lesson/Module	Approx. Training Time
CES: Foundations of Employment Services- All Lessons	3.3 hrs.
CES: Principles of Career Development – Lessons 1 & 2	1.2 hrs.
Custom DHS Linked Content: Bridging Benefits and Work (A Global Module available on DirectCourse MNNew website) Public Benefits A Bridge for People with Disabilities	1 hr.
Bridging Benefits and Work Part 1	.25 hr.
Bridging Benefits and Work Part 2	.75 hr.
Bridging Benefits and Work Part 3	.75 hr.
Total Approximate Training Time	5.25 hrs. [1]

Suggested Module for Employment Exploration Services – For Employees providing Exploration Services

Lesson/Module	Approx. Training Time
CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part One – All Lessons	2.6 hrs.
CES: Business Perspectives – Lesson 1	.5 hrs.
CES: Job Creation – Lesson 1	.5 hrs.
CES: Networking – Lesson 2	.6 hrs.
Total Approximate Training Time	4.7 hrs. [1]

Suggested Module for Employment Development Services – For Employees providing Development Services

Lesson/Module	Approx. Training Time
CES: Business Perspectives – All Lessons	2.4 hrs.
CES: Strategies for Job Development, Part Two – All Lessons	2.8 hrs.
CES: Principles of Career Development – Lessons 3, 4, 5, & 6	2.6 hrs.
CES: Job Creation – All Lessons	1.5 hrs.
CES: Networking – All Lessons	1.1 hrs.
Total Approximate Training Time	10.4 hrs. [1]

Suggested Module for Employment Support Services –For Employees providing Support Services

Lesson/Module	Approx. Training Time
CES: Performance Coaching and Support Part 1 – All Lessons	2.4 hrs.
CES: Performance Coaching and Support Part 2 – All Lessons	2.2 hrs.
CES: Business Perspectives – Lesson 1	.5 hr.
Total Approximate Training Time	5 hrs. [1]

These modules have been created and are available to license holders having access to CES content.

Additional Resources

MN DHS Employment Specialist Competencies
CESP (APSE) Certification Domains : Scroll to the bottom to open the "most recent candidate handbook.
ACRE Competency Domains : Scroll to the bottom of the page to access the most recent ACRE Competencies.
Additional Resource from Disability Hub MN:
- More About Employment First Program in MN
For additional information on benefits planning, see Disability Benefits 101 (DB101)