The bill establishes a grant program aimed at funding a pretraining initiative for direct support professionals in Minnesota. It appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the commissioner of human services, specifically for the Minnesota Ethnic Providers Network. The grant will be used to develop a tailored curriculum for potential direct support professionals, provide workforce readiness training, enhance recruitment efforts particularly among diverse and underrepresented communities, and foster collaboration with community organizations and educational institutions to support the long-term growth of the workforce in this field.

This initiative is designed to address the growing need for direct support professionals by ensuring that individuals entering the field are adequately prepared and supported. The focus on diverse recruitment and collaboration with various stakeholders aims to build a more inclusive and capable workforce, ultimately improving the quality of care and support services available to those in need. The funding is designated as a one-time appropriation, indicating a specific investment in the development of this workforce without a commitment for ongoing financial support.