2016 MN Coalition for the Homeless conference October 11-12– Rochester The Minnesota Department of Human Services presents: The MFIP Guide to a Better Future 2016 MN Coalition for the Homeless conference October 11-12– Rochester Susan Seidl, MFIP ES Quality Improvement Training & Resource Coordinator Brandon Riley, MFIP Financial Policy Consultant

Today’s Topics: Obtain a better understanding of MFIP policy, process, expectations, and requirements. Learn more about the 2014 education and training policy changes.  Learn how and why the participant experience, including employment services requirements and expectations, may vary for participants, and how to best advocate for your client.

State Government Roles TANF and Federal Government Counties Time limits Work Participation Rate (WPR) Work requirements and activities Documentation and verification requirements Penalties for not meeting requirements State Determines who is eligible Sets state lifetime limit and exemptions Sets sanctions Funds counties Reports data to Feds Establish and monitor performance measure efforts Provides systems, training, and supports Counties Administers the program Determines who meets eligibility guidelines and extension qualifications Contracts for Employment Services Provides direct customer service and resources to participants

Eligibility requirements of DWP & MFIP Basis of eligibility: families and pregnant women Residency Asset Limit Income test Employment Services

MFIP DWP Cash and food portion Possible extension beyond 60 months Lifetime limit of 60 months Cash and food portion Short-term – 4 months Cash only - family maintenance needs, mandatory vendor

Reporting Responsibilities for MFIP Households DHS-2647-ENG 10-14 marital status address people in the home, birth, or custody of a child school attendance earned or unearned income savings, vehicles, or property (assets) expenses: child care, housing, child support physical or mental health status of parent

MFIP Grant Calculation Gross Income Earned income disregard Child support deduction Child support exclusion Allocation $50 Rental subsidy Bulletin 16-11-01 DHS Reissues "Work Will Always Pay...With MFIP"

Example: One Parent and Two Children $1465 Earned Income (Job) $765 Earned Income Disregarded ($65+50%) $700 Subtotal of Earned Income (Job) $200 Child Support Income received $200 Child Support Income Exclusion $700 Total Income $459 MFIP Food (Max is $459 for household of 3) $241 MFIP Cash (Max is $532 for household of 3) $1906 TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME

Add the $110 Housing Grant! $532 MFIP Cash Grant only $1906 MFIP with Job + $200 of Child Support Income $2016 MFIP with Job + $200 of Child Support Income + $110 Housing Assistance Grant

The Housing Assistance Grant is available to all MFIP-eligible assistance units UNLESS: A rental subsidy is counted as unearned income It is a child only case They have opted out of the MFIP cash portion OR The case is closed.

Everyone on MFIP must work with Employment Services Except: Caregivers with a child under 12 months (12-month lifetime limit for a household) Parents whose needs are not included in the grant (i.e. SSI, relative caregivers who choose not to be on the MFIP grant, undocumented non-citizens)

The Employment Plan is a collaboration of goals and expectations developed by the Employment Counselor and the participant

Individualized Employment Plans Fully involves the participant. Use assessments to help set goals and activities. Addresses strengths, barriers, and family circumstances. Client-Worker rapport has a major affect on disclosure. Gives clear and specific expectations and requirements, including documentation and verification requirements. Sets an appropriate number of activity hours per week. Federally mandated work performance requirements set expectations.

Individualized Employment Plans Identifies services, supports, training and accommodations. Identifies the requirements and parameters that are used to determine non-compliance. Helps gauge progress and plan for long term self-sufficiency. Must be signed by the participant. “Cookie-cutter” templates are discouraged. Collaboration between participant and counselor.

Employment Services Activities

MFIP Training and Education Activities for Employment Services See Education and Training in the Minnesota Family Investment Program Brochure DHS-3366

MFIP Employment Services participants can be sanctioned for: Not attending the overview Not meeting with job counselor or case manager Not developing and signing an Employment Plan Not doing the activities in their Employment Plan

Special Considerations for Sanctions and Reduced Hour Employment Plans Good Cause A situation or circumstance beyond a participant’s control which may allow them to be excused from certain Employment Services activities for a period of time or a sanction to be removed retroactively. Family Stabilization Services FSS is a more holistic approach to case management. FSS allows Employment Service counselors to assist families with barriers they face that are preventing them from obtaining employment.

Family Stabilization Services (FSS) Eligibility Categories Ill or Incapacitated Mentally Ill Developmental Disability IQ below 80 Learning Disabled Unemployable Needed in the home Special Medical Criteria In country 12 months or less Family Violence Waiver Applying/Appealing for SSI/RSDI Age 60 or older

Strengths or Obstacles? Transportation Education Social Support Financial Safe living environment Workplace skills Dependent care Housing Child behavior Legal Health Student? One or two-parent case? Inter-state moves? Mental health diagnosis? Chemical dependency diagnosis? SSI child or adult in family? Needs interpreter? Child under 6? Employed?

Employment Services Supports Adult diploma Clothing Drug/alcohol rehab Creative job search Formalized training Volunteer direct drivers Vocational classes Housing services Nonprofit grant access Vocational classes Mental health services Resume workshop Skills training Financial skills 1 and 2 Intake and assessments Senior services Child care Cultural activities Career development Meals on wheels internships Driver’s ed Meal tickets New Leaf offenders resource GED classes Breakfast clubs Job clubs MNET transportation Mock interviews Bus cards Language classes Vocational classes Car repairs Domestic/family violence services

Individualized Plans Chelsey, mother of 2 school-age children applied as a new MFIP participant. She had recently moved to Minnesota from out-of-state, fleeing a domestic violence situation, and leaving behind her career in engine repair and maintenance. Chelsey had been out of work since January and cannot find work in Minnesota because she needs MN certifications and licensures to continue working in the trade she had been employed in for over 12 years

How can you assist the client? Ask to see the Employment Plan. Call the Employment Services provider or county office for questions about procedures. Get a signed release of information to talk to the job counselor. MDHS General Authorization for Release of Information - DHS-2243A

MN Department of Human Services public website: http://mn.gov/dhs/

For program information, go to People We Serve http://mn.gov/dhs/

For manuals, forms, and bulletins, go to General Public http://mn.gov/dhs/

Thank you for all you do for MFIP participants! Presented by: Susan Seidl, MFIP Employment Services Quality Improvement Training and Resource Coordinator