RMCEP Expands Minnesota RETAIN Support Across the Region

Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. is proud to support Minnesota RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network) by promoting the valuable services available for individuals seeking to return to work after an illness or injury and employers who need support to identify and fund necessary accommodations. RETAIN is a free, federally funded program that helps workers stay at work or return to their roles as soon as medically appropriate after a health condition impacts employment.

“Job loss related to injury or illness remains one of the leading reasons individuals leave the workforce earlier than planned,” says Christine Kirschbaum, Regional Coordinator for Rural Minnesota CEP. “This can lead to financial strain, loss of benefits, and long-term job separation.”

Learn more about this program and Rural Minnesota CEP’s role in sharing information about this resource across Northwest Minnesota.

Minnesota RETAIN Helps People Return to Work

Injury or illness can push people out of the workplace for longer than they intended. Not only do people need time to recover and build back their strength, but they also need time to find new jobs if they cannot return to their previous employers. As of March 2026, Americans take an average of 5.8 months to find work. This can create a snowball effect, where weeks of unemployment add up and create an unwanted resume gap.

“The goal of RETAIN is simple: keep people connected to their work,” says Kirschbaum. “Minnesota RETAIN is designed to interrupt the cycle of unemployment and help people get back to work. This funding allows us to expand outreach so workers, employers, and healthcare providers can act sooner and prevent unnecessary job loss.”

Not only do these efforts get people back to work, but they also potentially avoid a cycle of poverty. Only 46% of Americans have enough savings to last three months, so periods of unemployment can lead to debt. This debt can worsen if the sick or injured party also has medical bills to pay, in addition to their basic monthly expenses.

The sooner Minnesota residents can access employment resources, the sooner they can avoid falling into stressful financial situations.   

How Workers Can Participate in Minnesota RETAIN

Minnesota RETAIN is supported by a referral network. Workers may be referred to the program by healthcare providers or employers, or self-refer. A specialized RETAIN case manager will review the worker’s condition, job role, and return-to-work options during an initial assessment. From there, they will do their best to help the worker create a path forward. These paths may include:

• Return to Work Planning: With this path, a customized plan is developed in collaboration with the worker, employer, and medical providers.
• Training and Services Referrals: The case manager may connect the worker and employer to accommodation tools and resources or vocational rehabilitation services.
• Additional Support or Career Transitioning: When appropriate, individuals may be referred to State Dislocated Worker services or CareerForce resources.

RETAIN case managers regularly follow up with workers and their support teams to track their return-to-work progress. Every person is unique and will have their own path to reentering the workforce. Some people may return to their original roles once their recovery is complete, while others may need to pursue new careers that better align with their abilities.

RETAIN serves individuals with both work-related and non-work-related injuries or illnesses. You do not need to have a workers' compensation case to receive support as you reenter the workforce.

RETAIN Depends on Strong Partnerships Across the Region

Minnesota RETAIN is successful when employers actively refer workers and participate in return-to-work planning initiatives. RETAIN is available to Northwest Minnesota businesses to help them maintain staffing levels while supporting their employees during their recoveries.

Healthcare providers are also essential partners to help RETAIN succeed. Medical professionals can identify individuals who may benefit from the program, collaborate with case managers, and align care plans with job demands to ensure a safe transition back to the workplace.

To date, Minnesota RETAIN has supported 112 participants across our region. While this highlights the growing engagement amongst employers and healthcare providers, it also reflects a greater opportunity for outreach and awareness.

“Our goal is to share RETAIN resources with injured or ill workers and the employers who can help them,” says Kirschbaum. “These aren’t just workers, they are parents, spouses, friends, and loved ones. RETAIN makes a difference in the lives of families and communities as a whole.”

The team at Rural Minnesota CEP is actively supporting RETAIN through coordinated engagement efforts. The staff actively meets with employers and shares resources at its career fairs, workshops, webinars, and community events.

Contact Rural Minnesota CEP to Learn About RETAIN

RMCEP is focused on increasing awareness of RETAIN and on supporting employers and healthcare partners in keeping people connected to work during recovery. The goal is simple and steady: help people stay employed, support recovery with dignity, and strengthen the long-term stability of our regional workforce. Early support changes outcomes for workers, employers, and the communities they support.

“Outreach is where RETAIN becomes real,” says Kirschbaum. “When employers and partners understand how quickly support can be connected through this program, services can intervene earlier and keep more people safely at work.”

Whether you are an injured or ill worker looking to return to work, are a local employer supporting your staff, or a medical provider, contact Rural Minnesota CEP to see how RETAIN can help you and the greater community. You can reach out to your local RETAIN office to engage with the program directly.