1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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)

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Employment Services Activities

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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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?

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. For program information, go to
People We Serve

26. For manuals, forms, and bulletins, go to General Public

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