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2026 Tools & Tactics Webinar: Supporting Stay-at-Work and Return-to-Work Through Employer Accommodation Funding: Minnesota DEED’s ERAF Model

Tuesday, July 14
9:00 am PT | 12:00 pm ET

This webinar will explore how the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) is helping businesses support stay-at-work (SAW) and return-to-work (RTW) outcomes through employer accommodation funding. Attendees will learn how ERAF reduces financial barriers for small and mid-sized employers by reimbursing the costs of workplace accommodations, while improving employee retention, productivity, and workplace accessibility. The session will highlight real-world accommodation examples, lessons learned from administering the program statewide, and how accommodation funding can strengthen SAW/RTW strategies and long-term workforce participation.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the structure and purpose of Minnesota DEED’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) and how it supports stay-at-work and return-to-work outcomes through accommodation reimbursement.
  • Identify how workplace accommodations can improve employee retention, productivity, and workforce participation for individuals with disabilities and health-related limitations.
  • Explore real-world examples of accommodations and employer success stories demonstrating the impact of accommodation funding on businesses and employees.
  • Examine how state agencies, workforce systems, and employers can collaborate to reduce financial barriers associated with implementing reasonable accommodations.

Presented by

ERAF Program Coordinator
Minnesota Employment and Economic Development
CEO
DMEC

This session qualifies for the following CEUs:

1 ADMS, 1 CDMS, 1 CLMS, 1 PHR, 1 CPDM and 1 SHRM

TO QUALIFY FOR CEUs

  • You must attend the full duration of the webinar. Following the webinar and once attendance has been confirmed, you will receive an email with CEU reporting information.
  • You must register for and watch the webinar individually. Group participation does not qualify for CEU credit.

Exclusively offered by DMEC, the Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) program is the only professional designation of its kind that provides interactive, hands-on training to ensure your programs effectively comply with state and federal leave laws. Learn more about the CLMS program.

Registration Fees

DMEC Members

Free

Non-Members

39.00

DMEC members receive free registration for webinars.

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Ray McCoy
ERAF Program Coordinator
Minnesota Employment and Economic Development

Ray McCoy is the Program Coordinator for Minnesota DEED’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), where they work directly with employers across Minnesota to improve workplace accessibility, employee retention, and stay-at-work/return-to-work outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Ray specializes in employer engagement, accommodation strategy, and workforce inclusion initiatives, and has presented nationally on innovative approaches to supporting businesses through accommodation funding and disability employment practices.

Bryon Bass
Bryon Bass
CEO
DMEC

Bryon joined DMEC in 2023. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the absence and disability management industry. He was previously Senior Vice President, Workforce Absence and Disability Practice Leader for Sedgwick where he oversaw disability and absence management product strategy, innovation, standards and compliance, and product line best practices. He also worked in a variety of absence and disability management roles for employers across a broad range of industries. Bryon assumed the role of CEO in 2024 and provides strategic executive leadership for the association and oversee all association activities.

Bryon holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS).

Allison Morgan
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Lindsay Lueken

VP, Disability & Leave Operations

BROADSPIRE

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Alice Cotti

VP, Government Segment Business Solutions

AFLAC

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Seth Turner, Chief Strategy Officer
Seth Turner

Chief Strategy Officer

ABSENCESOFT

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce quis arcu placerat, condimentum nisl vel, mollis metus. Etiam lobortis, libero eget blandit pretium, augue ipsum pellentesque lorem, scelerisque aliquet magna enim non ligula. Proin ac imperdiet augue, non auctor ex. Aliquam felis felis, ultricies venenatis dapibus quis, elementum eget magna. Aliquam erat volutpat. Phasellus felis ex, semper vitae erat a, consequat ullamcorper leo. Donec mattis lobortis tincidunt. Nulla pulvinar ac nisl eget ornare. Aliquam elementum elit sit amet dignissim tempus. Ut sed ante vitae eros ultrices porta.

Ray McCoy
ERAF Program Coordinator
Minnesota Employment and Economic Development

Ray McCoy is the Program Coordinator for Minnesota DEED’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), where they work directly with employers across Minnesota to improve workplace accessibility, employee retention, and stay-at-work/return-to-work outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Ray specializes in employer engagement, accommodation strategy, and workforce inclusion initiatives, and has presented nationally on innovative approaches to supporting businesses through accommodation funding and disability employment practices.