State TANF and MOE Annual Reports

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Annual Report on State TANF and MOE Programs - 2004
Minnesota

Attachment A

2004 Annual Report on TANF Programs Under 45 CFR 265.9(b)

The sections below address the information required in the State’s Annual Report.

1) Minnesota’s Definition of Work Activities

Minnesota’s work activities must meet all of the participation requirements of TANF. The terms listed below are Minnesota’s work activities.

Child care for an Individual in Community Service Programs. This component covers child care that is provided by a Minnesota Family Investment (MFIP) recipient to the children of another MFIP recipient who is participating in a Community Work Experience Program.

Job Search/Job Readiness Assistance. This activity includes job clubs, job placement, job-related counseling, and job retention services.

Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment. English as a second language (ESL) or functional work literacy classes, general education development (GED) course work, high school completion, and adult basic education are among the activities in this category.

Paid Work Experience. This activity provides MFIP recipients with payment for participating in paid work experience. The payment is in addition to the MFIP grant.

Pre-employment Activities. This activity includes chemical and mental health assessments, treatment and services; learning disabilities services; child protective services; family stabilization services and other programs designed to enhance employability.

Structured Job Search. This activity requires more involvement with Job Counselors. Usually, structured job search is framed as a full time activity that mirrors the real work world.

Subsidized Private Sector or Public Sector Employment. This activity includes grant diversion, on-the-job training, the self-employment investment demonstration program, paid work experience, and supported work when a wage subsidy is provided.

Unsubsidized Employment. Work study and paid apprenticeships or internships are included in this activity.

Unpaid Work Experience. This activity includes community service, volunteer work, the community work experience program, unpaid apprenticeships or internships, and supported work when a wage subsidy is not provided.

2) A description of the transitional services provided to families who are no longer receiving assistance due to employment.

For up to 12 months after a family becomes ineligible for MFIP, Minnesota provides Transition Year Child Care assistance to families who are not receiving MFIP benefits for any reason other than disqualification from MFIP.

Each Minnesota county has the option to offer transitional employment services to working families that are no longer eligible for MFIP benefits and have income at or below 200 percent of the federal Poverty Guidelines.

3) A description of how Minnesota will reduce the amount of assistance payable to a family when an individual refuses to engage in work activities without good cause.

(a) Sanctions for MFIP participants who are out of compliance with work activities, who have not received 60 months of MFIP are imposed as follows:

When an MFIP participant fails to comply with employment services requirements, the job counselor or the county agency provides a notice of intent to sanction to the participant. The notice specifies the program requirements that were not complied with, informs the client of the sanction which will be imposed, describes what action the participant must take to come into compliance, and provides the participant with an opportunity to request a conciliation conference. After the notice of intent to sanction is sent, the county sends a notice of adverse action 10 days before the grant reduction is to take effect. The notice of adverse action provides notification of the grant reduction, the reason for the reduction, the effective date of the reduction, and the right to appeal.

For the first occurrence of non-compliance with employment service requirements by a participant in an assistance unit, the assistance unit's grant is reduced by ten percent of the MFIP standard of need for an assistance unit of the same size with the residual grant paid to the participant. The reduction in the grant amount must be in effect for a minimum of one month and is removed in the month following the month that the participant returns to compliance.

For a second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth occurrence of noncompliance by a participant in an assistance unit, the assistance unit's shelter costs are vendor paid up to the amount of the cash portion of the MFIP grant for which the assistance unit is eligible. At county option, the assistance unit's utilities may also be vendor paid up to the amount of the cash portion of the MFIP grant remaining after vendor payment of the assistance unit's shelter costs. The residual amount of the grant after vendor payment, if any, must be reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the MFIP standard of need for an assistance unit of the same size, before the residual grant is paid to the assistance unit. The reduction in the grant amount must be in effect for a minimum of one month and is removed in the month following the month that the participant returns to compliance. The vendor payment of shelter costs and, if applicable, utilities are removed six months after the month in which the participant or participants return to compliance. If both participants in a two-parent assistance unit are out of compliance at the same time, it is considered one occurrence of noncompliance.

If an assistance unit is sanctioned by 30 percent, the participant's case file must be reviewed to determine if the employment plan is still appropriate.

For a seventh occurrence of noncompliance by a participant in an assistance unit, or when the participants in a two-parent assistance unit have a total of seven occurrences of noncompliance, the county agency will close the MFIP assistance unit's financial assistance case. The case must remain closed for a minimum of one full month. If closed under this provision, the participant may still be eligible for food and medical support. Before the case is closed, the county agency must review the participant's case to determine if the employment plan is still appropriate and attempt to meet with the participant face-to-face. If a face-to-face meeting is not conducted, the county agency must send the participant a written notice that includes information that would have been discussed during the face-to-face meeting.

If the client is found to have an exemption or good cause for not participating with employment services, then the grant must be restored to the first of the month the exemption or good cause reason existed.

An assistance unit whose case is closed effective the seventh occurrence of non-compliance may reapply for MFIP and may be eligible if the participant complies with MFIP program requirements and demonstrates compliance for up to one month. No assistance is paid during the period the participant is demonstrating compliance.

An assistance unit whose case has been closed for non-compliance that reapplies and is found eligible is subject to sanction of a 30 percent grant reduction for the first occurrence of non-compliance after reopening the case, and 100 percent sanction for any subsequent occurrence of non-compliance.

(b) MFIP participants who have received 60 months of MFIP, have met criteria for a hardship extension of MFIP benefits and who are out of compliance with work activities have sanctions imposed as follows:

The policies for imposing a first, second, and third occurrence sanction for non-compliance with employment services requirements is the same for participants receiving MFIP under hardship criteria as for those who have received fewer than 60 months of MFIP.

For a fourth occurrence of noncompliance, the assistance unit is disqualified from MFIP. If a participant is determined to be out of compliance, the participant may claim a good cause exception, however, the participant may not claim an exemption from participating in employment service activities. If both participants in a two-parent assistance unit are out of compliance at the same time, it is considered one occurrence of noncompliance.

An assistance unit that is disqualified (case is closed) effective the fourth occurrence of sanction, may be approved for MFIP if the participant complies with MFIP program requirements and demonstrates compliance for up to one month. No assistance is paid during this compliance period.

An assistance unit that reapplies and is found eligible for MFIP is subject to a ten percent grant reduction for a first occurrence of noncompliance. A subsequent occurrence of noncompliance results in a permanent disqualification.

Prior to a disqualification under this provision, a county agency must review the participant's case to determine if the employment plan is still appropriate and attempt to meet with the participant face-to-face. If a face-to-face meeting is not conducted, the county agency must send the participant a notice of adverse action which will inform the participant of the disqualification, the reason for the disqualification, the effective date of the disqualification, and the right to appeal.

In a two-parent assistance unit where only one parent is not compliant, the assistance unit has the option of disqualifying the non-compliant parent. The unit is then treated as a single parent family with a shared household standard. A parent who was disqualified for non-compliance may reapply and become eligible if he/she demonstrates compliance for up to one month. If a parent is disqualified again, the disqualification is permanent.

4. The average monthly number of payments for child care services made by MN through the use of disregards, by types of child care provider.

Minnesota does not use disregards for child care services.

5. If the state has adopted the Family Violence Option and wants Federal recognition of its good cause domestic violence waivers under 45 CFR 260.50-58, then provide:
(a) a description of the strategies and procedures in place to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive appropriate alternative services, and
(b) an aggregate figure for the total number of good cause domestic waivers granted.

Minnesota has adopted the Family Violence Option under Subpart B of part 260 and wants recognition of its good cause Domestic Violence waivers.

(a) Being a victim of domestic violence is not a category for exemption from Employment Services (ES) and unless otherwise exempt, past or current victims of domestic violence are referred to ES.

Victims of domestic violence who want to be exempt from the 60-month time limit and want to waive regular ES requirements must develop a specialized employment plan (EP). The participant develops the EP, with the assistance and collaboration of a person trained in domestic violence and a job counselor. The goal of the specialized EP is to ensure the safety of the caregiver and the children. The plan includes activities designed to lead to self-sufficiency provided the activities do not endanger the safety of anyone in the unit.

The employment plan is reviewed by the county or by the job counselor every three months, or more often, if circumstances warrant, determining if the activities in the plan continue to be appropriate or if the participant is able to safely comply with the plan. As long as a participant is complying with an EP, the participant is exempt from the 60-month time limit.

(b) The aggregate number of good cause domestic waivers granted in FFY 2004 is 1109.

6) A description of any nonrecurring, short-term benefits including:

(a) eligibility criteria, policies that limit payment and procedures for activities developed under the TANF program to ensure that individuals diverted from assistance receive information/referrals to other program benefits;

(b) policies that limit payments to families that are eligible for TANF assistance;

(c) procedures or activities developed to ensure that individuals diverted from assistance receive information about referrals to other program benefits.

(a) During FFY 2004 Minnesota provided short-term benefits through Parents Fair Share, Transitional Housing, Homeless Prevention. Funding for Transitional Housing and Homeless prevention ended in July, 2003, but the Department’s Family Homeless Prevention liaison continues to have contact with the groups representing Transitional Housing and homeless families.

The 2003 Minnesota legislature created a new statewide short-term, work-focused program for families called the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). All counties implemented the program on July 1, 2004. Additional information on eligibility criteria, payment limits procedures and activities for DWP is provided in Minnesota’s TANF plan amendment dated July 30, 2003.

(b) Policies that limit payments to families that are eligible for TANF assistance are addressed in Minnesota’s 2003 State Plan, Section B, Number 1.

(c) MFIP is designed to combine cash and food supports into one program. There is no separate food support program for MFIP recipients.

The combined application form (CAF) is designed so that applicants for cash, food support and medical benefits complete the same application to apply for benefits. Each program the applicant is interested in receiving is shown by checking a box listing that program.

7) A description of the grievance procedures Minnesota has established and is maintaining to resolve displacement complaints, pursuant to section 407(f)(3) of the Social Security Act.

This information is in the 2003 Minnesota State Plan, Number 11.

8) A summary of State programs and activities directed at the third and fourth statutory purposes of TANF.

Minnesota has a goal of reducing our out-of-wedlock birth rate to no more than 15.0/1,000 women ages 15 to 44. While Minnesota has been successful in the teen pregnancy rate, overall births to unmarried non-teens remains high. The out-of-wedlock birthrate in Minnesota in 2003 was 17.7/1,000 women ages 15 to 44. This is an increase from 16.9/1,000 in 2002. To address this issue, Minnesota intends to continue to broaden the focus from reducing teen pregnancies to reducing unintended pregnancies. Our multi-faceted approach includes the following strategies:

Abstinence education program targeted at 10 to 14 year olds. This program funded by federal 510 abstinence education funds and enhanced with state general revenue funds involves teens, their parents and community organizations, including schools, in activities that support and reinforce the message of postponing sexual involvement. Currently, twenty-two grantees are working to develop a systematic, coordinated approach to affecting behavior change by empowering youth, strengthening parental relationships and influencing community norms to support positive healthy behaviors.

The Family Home Visiting Programs goals have included promoting economic self-sufficiency and teen pregnancy prevention. The program has a history of successfully assisting minor parents in delaying a subsequent birth (only six percent of minor parents had a subsequent birth within eighteen months of the first child compared to eighteen percent of minor parents who were not in the program).

Even with the availability of subsidized family planning services through Family Planning Special Projects, federal Title X funds, Medicaid and the state’s subsidized health insurance, MinnesotaCare, almost half of the women in need of subsidized family planning services cannot be served making them at risk for an unintended pregnancy. Financial resources, difficulties accessing care or knowledge of family planning services all play a role. To address the gap in the need for subsidized family planning services, Minnesota has submitted and received federal approval of an 1115 Waiver for family planning services. This waiver will allow the state to serve significantly more individuals at risk for unintended pregnancy and should ultimately support progress in meeting our out-of-wedlock goal. Implementation of the Medicaid waiver is scheduled to begin January 1, 2006.

Public awareness, health education, non-directive counseling on birth control methods, and access to family planning services are some of the strategies used to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies.

9) An estimate of the total number of individuals who have participated in subsidized employment under 261.30(b) or (c) of this chapter.

The estimated number of individuals who have participated in subsidized employment under 261.30(b) and (c) during FFY 2004 is a cumulative total of 1,493 for the period of 7/1/03 – 6/30/04.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities. [MN Statutes 256J.02 - 256J.74] Grants to Individuals - MFIP grants provide integrated cash and food assistance to families with children or to pregnant women while the caregiver works toward becoming self-sufficient. Caregivers are expected to participate in employment services requirements. Additional information can be found in the 2003 MN State Plan, Number 8.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $42,079,202.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $41,630,495.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 34,261

This last figure represents the average monthly total for the fiscal year.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
Pregnant women or a caregiver with a child under age 18, or under age 19 if in secondary education. The resource limit is $2,000 for applicants and $5,000 for participants. Income eligibility is with 115 percent of FPG adjusted for family size. Participants must be citizens or legal non-citizens.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No __X_

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $0.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Two Parent Separate State Program - Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
MFIP grants provide basic assistance to eligible families. The combined cash and food benefit program also includes an earned income disregard factor that has been shown to encourage work. In addition, a longitudinal study shows that the grant structure as it relates to two-parent families has a positive impact on two-parent formation.

4. Program Type: This program is a separate state MOE program.

5. Description of Work Activities:
- Paid Work Experience - Unsubsidized Employment
- Job Search/Job Readiness - Unpaid Work Experience
- Job Skills Training - Structured Job Search
- On-the-Job-Training (OJT) - Subsidized Private Sector Employment
- Subsidized Public Sector Employment
- Child Care for an Individual in Community Service Programs.

Appendix A provides descriptions of each activity.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $25,479,237.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $25,479,237.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 4,610
This last figure represents the average monthly total for the fiscal year.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No __X__

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $0.

Final approval of the Food Stamp Waiver allowing the MFIP program to go forward was effective January 1, 1998. The legislation authorizing MFIP was passed during the 1997 session. Legislation authorizing the separate state program was passed by the MN Legislature in 2001 and was effective October 1, 2001. The food stamp waiver was again authorized by FNS in October 2002.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Consolidated Fund - Emergency Needs

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
Short-term, nonrecurring shelter and utility needs that are excluded from the definition of assistance under TANF, for families who meet the MFIP residency requirements.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
Grants provide short-term, basic help to eligible families who find themselves in a crisis or emergency situation.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $109,596.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $89,366.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 100

This last figure represents the average monthly total for the fiscal year.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:

Families with a minor child, a pregnant woman, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child receiving assistance with an income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline for a family of the applicable size are eligible for services funded under the Consolidated Fund.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes __X_ No ____

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: Not Applicable, this program began effective July 1, 2003.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: State Administration

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
State Administration. Those funds represent the state share of the administrative costs of running the MFIP program as allocated through the state’s approved cost allocation plan.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of state administration is to oversee county administration of the MFIP program to ensure that clients are served under federal and state guidelines.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $3,127,047.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $3,127,047.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: not applicable.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
State staff administer TANF program rules and regulations by supervising county administration of TANF funds.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes __X_ No ____

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: Not Applicable.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: County Administration

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
County Administration. Those funds represent the state share of the administrative costs of running the MFIP program as allocated through the state’s approved cost allocation plan.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of county administration is to provide eligibility determination, case maintenance, fraud control and prevention, and related administrative services.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $17,280,595.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $17,280,595.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: not applicable.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
County staff administer the TANF program rules and regulations under federal and state guidelines.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes _X_ No ___

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: Not Applicable. Effective July 1, 2003 this program is funded under the Consolidated fund.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: MFIP Child Care Assistance

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
MFIP Child Care Assistance. [MN Statute 119B] The MFIP Child Care Assistance program helps caregivers receiving MFIP assistance who are looking for work, employee or participating in short-term training programs (less than 2 years) with child care costs. In addition, a family who leaves MFIP who has received MFIP at least 3 out of the past 6 months can receive child care subsidies in the first year off of assistance.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of MFIP child care assistance is to help families with the cost of providing child care while they are participating in MFIP employment activities or working while on MFIP, or in their first year off of the MFIP grant.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $68,376,121.

This amount includes the state’s matching requirement under CCDF of $24,771,208.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $43,604,913.

This amount can be double-counted up to the amount of the state’s CCDF MOE
requirement of $19,690,299.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 3,995

This last figure represents the estimated average monthly total for the fiscal year.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
Child care though MFIP is available to families who have an approved job search support or employment plan under MN Statutes 256J.52 or meet the employment requirements under MN Statutes 119B. (2003 MN State Plan, Number 8).

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes __X_ No ___

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: Not Applicable.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Subsidy (BSF)

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance program. [MN Statute 119B] The BSF program provides subsidies to families to help with the cost of child care. (See 2003 MN State Plan, Number 8.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of the BSF program is to help families maintain employment, look for employment, or participate in education and avoid the need for cash assistance through TANF by subsidizing the cost of child care. (2003 MN State Plan, Number 8).

4. Program Type:This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $26,707,142.

Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $26,707,142.

This amount can be double-counted up to the amount of the state’s CCDF MOE
requirement of $19, 690,299.

7. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 3,361

This last figure represents the estimated average monthly total for the fiscal year.

8. Financial criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
Families may enter the BSF program if their income is less than or equal to 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size. Families moving from Transition Year to BSF are considered to have met the income entry requirement in the first subprogram in which they participated. Families may receive child care assistance until their income reaches 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size. Eligible families may receive BSF child care assistance for children under the age of 13 or, for children with a disability, under the age of 15. Parents must be working, looking for work, or in an authorized education/training activity.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes __X_ No ___

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: Not Applicable.

State of Minnesota: Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Non-citizen Medical Assistance Program

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
Non-citizen Medical. This program provides medical assistance to recently-arrived immigrants who are barred from the federal Medicaid program during their first 5 years of residence in the U.S.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of Non-citizen Medical Assistance is to provide medical benefits to non-citizens so that adults can pursue employment and work activities and so that children may be cared for in their homes.

4. Program Type:This program is a separate state program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A - this is a non-assistance program.

All recipients are MFIP participants and thus would be involved in the range of work activities described in Appendix A.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $1,354,176.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $789,713.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 600

This last figure represents the total for the fiscal year.

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
To be eligible for the program, the recipient must be an adult or minor caregiver receiving MFIP benefits, but ineligible for the Medicaid program due to the non-citizen restrictions in PRWORA.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No __X_

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $0.

This program was authorized by the Legislature in 1997 in response to the non-citizen provisions of PRWORA.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Minnesota Working Family Credit

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
MN Working Family Credit. This program provides a tax benefit to eligible
low-income families through a refundable income tax credit.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of the program is to provide economic support to low-income families as well as to encourage employment among low-income parents.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $94,161,279.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $12,964,145.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 17,383

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MOE-funded program benefits or services:
To be eligible for the MN Working Family Credit program, a family with one child must have an income under $ 30,600 and a family with two ormore qualifying children must have an income of $34,600 or less.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No _X__

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $22,800,000.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Employment and Training Services

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
Employment and Training Grants. These grants are state funds provided to counties to pay for Employment Services for MFIP and DWP participants.

3. Purposes(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
These are grants to counties to provide various services to MFIP and DWP clients that assist them in becoming employed. The services include, but are not limited to – job search, job club, GED, employment related education, work literacy, case management, job retention, and job or skills update.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program.

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $7,628,369.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $7,507,369.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 11,800

This is a monthly average of caregivers participating in employment services activities. The average quarterly number of caregivers with records open on the employment services tracking systems is 36,921. This number represents an average taken in October 2003 and in January, April, and July 2004.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No __X_

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: N/A

This program was first authorized in the 1997 Legislative session and was repealed effective June 30, 2003. The program was replaced with the supportive services portion of the Consolidated Fund which provides only TANF-funded reimbursements in the final quarter of FFY 2003. The Diversionary Work program became part of the Consolidated Fund July 1, 2004.

State of Minnesota Fiscal Year: 2004

Date Submitted: 12/29/04

1. Name of Service Program: Diversionary Work Program (DWP)

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services and Activities.
Diversionary Work Program. DWP began on July 1, 2004. It is a short-term and can be received for a maximum of 4 months in a 12-month period. DWP is a work-focused program that requires immediate engagement in Employment Services. The months on DWP are considered non-assistance and do not count toward the TANF 60-month time limit. Additional information on DWP can be found in Minnesota’s July 30, 2003 amendment to the State TANF Plan.

3. Purpose(s) of Benefits or Service Program:
DWP is intended to move people to work as quickly as possible, diverting families from having to apply for MFIP. All adult caregivers must complete an employment plan before DWP benefits are issued and are expected to cooperate with Employment Service requirements. The monthly benefit amount that can be received under DWP is the difference between the family’s countable income and the family’s maintenance needs (rent, mortgage, and utilities), plus up to $70 personal needs. The benefit amount cannot exceed the cash portion of the appropriate MFIP standard for that family size.

4. Program Type: This program is operated under the TANF program

5. Description of Work Activities: N/A this is not a separate State program.

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $12,867.

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $12,867.

8. Total Number of Families served with MOE funds: 35

9. Financial eligibility criteria for receiving MFO-funded program benefits or services:

Families with a minor child, a pregnant woman, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child may be eligible for DWP. Child-only cases do not receive benefits through DWP. The resource limit is $2000 for applicants and $5000 for participants. Income eligibility is 115 percent of the FPG adjusted for family size. Participants must be citizens or legal non-citizens.

10. Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?
Yes ____ No __X_

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $0.

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This is a Historical Document.