2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 256E. COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

256E.01 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.02 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.03 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.04 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.05 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.06 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.07 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.08 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.081 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.09 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.10 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.11 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.115 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.12 GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR
PERSONS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS.
    Subdivision 1. Statewide program. The commissioner shall establish a statewide program
to assist counties in providing services to persons with serious and persistent mental illness as
defined in section 245.462, subdivision 20. The commissioner shall make grants to counties to
establish, operate, or contract with private providers to provide services designed to help persons
with serious and persistent mental illness remain and function in their own communities. Grants
received pursuant to this section may be used to fund community support services programs as
specified in section 245.462, subdivision 6, and case management activities that cannot be billed
to the medical assistance program under sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625.
    Subd. 2. Grant application. To apply for a grant a county board shall submit an application
and budget for the use of the money in the form specified by the commissioner. The commissioner
shall make grants only to counties whose applications and budgets are approved by the
commissioner. A county receiving a grant under this section shall finance at least ten percent of
the cost of services for persons with serious and persistent mental illness from local resources,
which may include private contributions and federal money.
    Subd. 3. Allocation of grants. The commissioner shall allocate grants under this section to
finance up to 90 percent of each county's costs for services to persons with serious and persistent
mental illness. The commissioner shall promulgate permanent rules to govern grant applications,
approval of applications, allocation of grants, and maintenance of financial statements by
grant recipients. The commissioner shall specify requirements for reports, including quarterly
fiscal reports, according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (17). The commissioner
shall require collection of data and periodic reports as the commissioner deems necessary to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the services in helping persons with serious and persistent mental
illness remain and function in their own communities.
    Subd. 4. Grant calendar year. For calendar year 1992 and all subsequent years, the
commissioner shall allocate the money appropriated under this section on a calendar year basis.
The commissioner may continue to allocate part of the money on a state fiscal year basis for
special projects.
History: 1979 c 324 s 12; 1981 c 355 s 19; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 68; 1986 c
349 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 109; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 205-207,268; 1989 c 89 s 20;
1991 c 94 s 23

256E.13 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.14 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.15 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]

256E.20 CITATION.
Sections 256E.21 to 256E.26 may be cited as the "Children's Trust Fund for the Prevention
of Child Abuse Act."
History: 1986 c 423 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.21 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to Laws 1986, chapter
423, sections 1 to 9.
    Subd. 2. Act. "Act" means the Children's Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse Act.
    Subd. 3. Advisory council. "Advisory council" means the advisory council established
under section 119A.35.
    Subd. 4. Child. "Child" means a person under 18 years of age.
    Subd. 5. Child abuse. "Child abuse" means sexual abuse, neglect, or physical abuse as
defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, paragraphs (a), (c), and (d).
    Subd. 6. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
    Subd. 7. Local council. "Local council" means a child abuse prevention council established
under section 256E.24.
    Subd. 8. Prevention program. "Prevention program" means a system that directly provides
primary or secondary child abuse prevention services to a child, parent or prospective parent,
guardian, or professional who works regularly with children, and may also include a research
program related to the prevention of child abuse.
    Subd. 9. Primary prevention. "Primary prevention" means a program or service designed to
promote the general welfare of children and families.
    Subd. 10. Secondary prevention. "Secondary prevention" means a program or service
designed to prevent abuse of children who are in circumstances where there is a high risk that
abuse will occur.
    Subd. 11. Tertiary prevention. "Tertiary prevention" means a program or service provided
after child abuse has occurred that is designed to prevent its recurrence.
    Subd. 12. Trust fund. "Trust fund" means the children's trust fund for the prevention of
child abuse established under section 256E.22.
History: 1986 c 423 s 2; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 8,25; 1Sp 1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 2002 c 379 art 1
s 37; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.22 TRUST FUND.
    Subdivision 1. Creation of trust fund. A children's trust fund for the prevention of child
abuse is established as an account in the state treasury. The commissioner of finance shall credit
to the trust fund all amounts received under sections 144.226, subdivision 3, and 256E.26, and
shall ensure that trust fund money is invested under section 11A.25. All money earned by the
trust fund must be credited to the trust fund. The trust fund earns its proportionate share of the
total annual state investment income.
    Subd. 2. Availability of funds for disbursement. Until the total amount of assets in the
trust fund exceeds $20,000,000, not more than 60 percent of the gross amount contributed to
the trust fund each year under section 144.226, subdivision 3, plus 100 percent of all earnings
credited to the trust fund the previous fiscal year, are available for disbursement. When the
commissioner of finance certifies that the assets in the trust fund exceed $20,000,000, only the
annual earnings and the funds received under section 256E.26 that are credited to the trust fund
are available for disbursement.
    Subd. 3. Exception. Notwithstanding subdivision 2, money received under section 256E.26
may be disbursed in its entirety. This money must not be taken into account when calculating
the annual contributions to the trust fund under this section.
    Subd. 4. Authority to disburse funds. The commissioner may disburse trust fund money
to any public or private nonprofit agency to fund a child abuse prevention program. State funds
appropriated for child maltreatment prevention grants may be transferred to the children's trust
fund special revenue account and are available to carry out this section.
    Subd. 5. Plan for disbursement of funds. The commissioner shall develop a plan to
disburse money from the trust fund. The plan must ensure that all geographic areas of the state
have an equal opportunity to establish prevention programs and receive trust fund money.
    Subd. 6. Operational costs. $120,000 each year is appropriated from the children's trust
fund to the special revenue fund for administration and indirect costs of the children's trust fund
program.
    Subd. 7. Responsibilities of commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall:
(1) provide for the coordination and exchange of information on the establishment and
maintenance of prevention programs;
(2) develop and publish criteria for receiving trust fund money by prevention programs;
(3) review, approve, and monitor the spending of trust fund money by prevention programs;
(4) provide statewide educational and public informational seminars to develop public
awareness on preventing child abuse; to encourage professional persons and groups to recognize
instances of child abuse and work to prevent them; to make information on child abuse prevention
available to the public and to organizations and agencies; and to encourage the development of
prevention programs, including programs that provide support for adolescent parents, fathering
education programs, and other prevention activities designed to prevent teen pregnancy;
(5) establish a procedure for an annual, internal evaluation of the functions, responsibilities,
and performance of the commissioner in carrying out Laws 1986, chapter 423;
(6) provide technical assistance to local councils and agencies working in the area of child
abuse prevention; and
(7) accept and review grant applications beginning June 1, 1987.
(b) The commissioner shall recommend to the governor changes in state programs,
statutes, policies, budgets, and standards that will reduce the problems of child abuse, improve
coordination among state agencies that provide prevention services, and improve the condition of
children, parents, or guardians in need of prevention program services.
History: 1986 c 423 s 3; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 1986 c 423 s 4; 1987 c 358 s 113; 1Sp1987 c
4 art 2 s 6; 1988 c 629 s 57; 1989 c 119 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 9,25; 1992 c 515 s 2; 1Sp1993 c 1
art 3 s 31; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 7 art 2 s 8,9; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 3-5; 1Sp2001 c 3
art 2 s 1-4,17; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.24 LOCAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCILS.
A child abuse prevention council may be established in any county or group of counties that
was eligible to receive funds under Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 145.917 as of January 1,
1986. A council organized in such a county or group of counties shall be authorized by the
commissioner to review programs seeking trust fund money on finding that the council meets
the criteria in this section:
(a) The council has submitted a plan for the prevention of child abuse that includes a rank
ordering of needed programs and services, assesses the need for additional programs or services,
and demonstrates that standards and procedures have been established to ensure that funds will
be distributed and used according to Laws 1986, chapter 423.
(b) A single-county council shall consist of:
(1) a minimum of nine members with the majority consisting of members from the
community-at-large who do not represent service-providing agencies. These members shall
represent the demographic and geographic composition of the county and, to the extent possible,
represent the following groups: parents, businesses, racial and ethnic minority communities, and
the faith communities; and
(2) if necessary, enough additional members with knowledge in the area of child abuse
prevention so that a majority of the council is composed of members who do not represent public
agencies.
(c) A multicounty council shall be composed of the combined membership of persons in
paragraph (b).
History: 1986 c 423 s 5; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 22; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 1997 c 162 art
2 s 6; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.25 PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR DISBURSEMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner shall establish in the plan for prevention
of child abuse the criteria for distribution of trust fund money. All money shall be distributed
for programs and services involving primary or secondary prevention, and no money shall be
distributed for programs and services involving tertiary prevention.
    Subd. 2. Matching and other requirements. Trust fund money shall only be distributed to
applicants that demonstrate an ability to match at least 40 percent of the amount of trust fund
money requested and whose proposals meet the other criteria. The matching requirement may be
met through in-kind donations. In awarding grants, the commissioner shall consider the extent to
which the applicant has demonstrated a willingness and ability to:
(1) continue the prevention program or service if trust fund money is eliminated or reduced;
and
(2) provide prevention program models and consultation to other organizations and
communities.
    Subd. 3. Use of funds. Priority must be given to applicants whose matching funds do not
consist, in whole or in part, of state or federal funds. Any trust fund money received must not be
used to compensate for a decrease in previously existing funding levels unless that decrease is
attributable to a decision made by state, federal, or other entities not controlled by the applicant
and the applicant demonstrates that it has made reasonable efforts to retain all previously existing
funding.
    Subd. 4. Statewide or regional programs. The commissioner may fund programs that
intend to serve the entire state or a region larger than the area served by any local council even
if the program has not been reviewed by any local council. The commissioner may, however,
solicit comments or recommendations about the applicant or the program from a local council
covering any area to be served by the applicant's proposed program.
    Subd. 5. Local council as recipient of funds. The commissioner may disburse funds to a
local council for community education purposes, or for administrative costs in carrying out Laws
1986, chapter 423, if all criteria and standards are met.
    Subd. 5a. Excluded programs. Programs transferred to the Department of Education
from the Department of Employment and Economic Development may not be included in the
consolidated funding account and are ineligible for local consolidation. The commissioner may
not apply for federal waivers to include these programs in funding consolidation initiatives.
The programs include the following:
(1) programs for the homeless under sections 116L.365 and 256E.33;
(2) emergency energy assistance and energy conservation programs under sections 216C.263
and 216C.265;
(3) weatherization programs under section 216C.264;
(4) foodshelf programs under section 256E.34 and the emergency food assistance program;
and
(5) lead abatement programs under section 119A.45.
    Subd. 6. Contracts. The commissioner shall use state or local resources and staff if
practicable, but may enter into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies to fulfill the
requirements of Laws 1986, chapter 423.
    Subd. 7. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules to carry out Laws 1986, chapter 423.
History: 1986 c 423 s 6; 1Sp1987 c 4 art 2 s 7; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 1997 c 162 art 2
s 7,8; art 3 s 4; 1998 c 273 s 2; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2005 c 97 art 4 s 2,6; 2005
c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.26 ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS AND OTHER DONATIONS.
The commissioner may accept federal money and gifts, donations, and bequests for
the purposes of Laws 1986, chapter 423. Money so received and proceeds from the sale of
promotional items, minus sales promotional costs, must be deposited in the trust fund and must be
made available to the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 423 s 7; 1987 c 358 s 114; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 9;
2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.27 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.
All earnings from trust fund assets, all sums received under section 256E.26, and 60 percent
of the amount collected under section 144.226, subdivision 3, are appropriated annually from the
children's trust fund for the prevention of child abuse to the commissioner of human services to
carry out sections 256E.20 to 256E.26. In fiscal year 1987 only, the first $75,000 collected under
section 144.226, subdivision 3, is appropriated from the children's trust fund for the prevention of
child abuse to the commissioner of human services to carry out sections 256E.20 to 256E.26.
History: 1986 c 423 s 9; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 10,25; 1Sp1995 c art 16 s 13; 2003 c 130
s 12; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.30 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES.
    Subdivision 1. Authorization. The commissioner of education may provide financial
assistance for community action agencies, Indian reservations, and migrant and seasonal
farmworker organizations to carry out community action programs as described in section
256E.32 in accordance with the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as
amended in 1984, Public Law 98-558, state law, and federal law and regulation.
    Subd. 2. Allocation of money. (a) State money appropriated and community service block
grant money allotted to the state and all money transferred to the community service block grant
from other block grants shall be allocated annually to community action agencies and Indian
reservation governments under clauses (b) and (c), and to migrant and seasonal farmworker
organizations under clause (d).
(b) The available annual money will provide base funding to all community action agencies
and the Indian reservations. Base funding amounts per agency are as follows: for agencies with
low income populations up to 3,999, $25,000; 4,000 to 23,999, $50,000; and 24,000 or more,
$100,000.
(c) All remaining money of the annual money available after the base funding has been
determined must be allocated to each agency and reservation in proportion to the size of the
poverty level population in the agency's service area compared to the size of the poverty level
population in the state.
(d) Allocation of money to migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations must not exceed
three percent of the total annual money available. Base funding allocations must be made for all
community action agencies and Indian reservations that received money under this subdivision,
in fiscal year 1984, and for community action agencies designated under this section with a
service area population of 35,000 or greater.
    Subd. 3. Reports. Each community action agency receiving funds under this section shall
report annually to the commissioner concerning the use of the funds.
    Subd. 4. Definition. For the purposes of sections 256E.30 to 256E.32, "poverty level
population" means the number of people whose household income is at or below the poverty
line established by the United States Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the
most recent state population figures established by the United States Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census.
History: 1981 c 367 s 2; 1982 c 571 s 1-3; 1983 c 339 s 6; 1985 c 282 s 1,2; 1Sp1985 c
14 art 9 s 75; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1Sp1998 c 1 art 1 s 1,2; 2003 c 130
s 12; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.31 COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES.
    Subdivision 1. In general. A community action agency is a political subdivision of the state,
a combination of political subdivisions, a public agency, or a private nonprofit agency which
has the authority under its applicable charter or laws to receive funds under section 256E.30 to
support community action programs as described in section 256E.32 and which was designated as
an eligible entity under the Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 97-35, section
673(1), 95 Stat. 357, 512 (1981), as amended by, Act of October 30, 1984, Public Law 98-558,
section 202, 98 Stat. 2878, 2884 (1984). For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible entity" also
means any community action agency which qualified under all federal and state regulations
applicable during the period from 1981 to September 30, 1984.
    Subd. 2. Designation and recognition. To obtain recognition by the governor a community
action agency must be designated by a political subdivision having jurisdiction over the entire
area to be served by the agency. To designate a community action agency, the political subdivision
must hold a public hearing, pass a resolution to designate, and file a "notice of intent to designate"
and eligibility documents with the state office of economic opportunity for final review and
authorization for a new community action agency.
    Subd. 3. Administering board. Each community action agency shall administer its
community action programs through a community action board consisting of 15 to 51 members.
(a) One-third of the members of the board shall be elected public officials, currently holding
office, or their representatives.
(b) At least one-third of the members shall be persons chosen in accordance with democratic
selection procedures adequate to assure that they are representative of the poor in the area served.
(c) The other members shall be officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious,
welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community. Each member of the
board selected to represent a specific geographic area within a community must reside in the
area represented.
(d) The public community action agency shall have an administering board which meets
the requirements of this subdivision.
(e) The statewide migrant seasonal farmworker organization known as the Minnesota
Migrant Council and Indian reservations carrying out community action programs are exempt
from the board composition requirements of this subdivision.
    Subd. 4. Delegation of powers. If a community action agency places responsibility for major
policy determinations with respect to the character, funding, extent, and administration of and
budgeting for programs to be carried on in a particular geographic area within the community in
a subsidiary board, council, or similar agency, that board, council, or agency shall be broadly
representative of the area.
    Subd. 5. Local participation. Each community action agency shall consult neighborhood
based organizations composed of residents of the area or members of the groups served to assist
the agency in the planning, conduct, and evaluation of components of the community action
program.
    Subd. 6. Functions; powers. A community action agency shall:
(a) Plan systematically for an effective community action program; develop information as to
the problems and causes of poverty in the community; determine how much and how effectively
assistance is being provided to deal with those problems and causes; and establish priorities
among projects, activities and areas as needed for the best and most efficient use of resources;
(b) Encourage agencies engaged in activities related to the community action program to
plan for, secure, and administer assistance available under section 256E.30 or from other sources
on a common or cooperative basis; provide planning or technical assistance to those agencies; and
generally, in cooperation with community agencies and officials, undertake actions to improve
existing efforts to reduce poverty, such as improving day-to-day communications, closing service
gaps, focusing resources on the most needy, and providing additional opportunities to low-income
individuals for regular employment or participation in the programs or activities for which those
community agencies and officials are responsible;
(c) Initiate and sponsor projects responsive to needs of the poor which are not otherwise
being met, with particular emphasis on providing central or common services that can be drawn
upon by a variety of related programs, developing new approaches or new types of services that
can be incorporated into other programs, and filling gaps pending the expansion or modification
of those programs;
(d) Establish effective procedures by which the poor and area residents concerned will be
enabled to influence the character of programs affecting their interests, provide for their regular
participation in the implementation of those programs, and provide technical and other support
needed to enable the poor and neighborhood groups to secure on their own behalf available
assistance from public and private sources;
(e) Join with and encourage business, labor and other private groups and organizations to
undertake, together with public officials and agencies, activities in support of the community
action program which will result in the additional use of private resources and capabilities, with a
view to developing new employment opportunities, stimulating investment that will have a
measurable impact on reducing poverty among residents of areas of concentrated poverty, and
providing methods by which residents of those areas can work with private groups, firms, and
institutions in seeking solutions to problems of common concern.
Community action agencies, migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations, and the Indian
reservations, may enter into cooperative purchasing agreements and self-insurance programs with
local units of government. Nothing in this section expands or limits the current private or public
nature of a local community action agency.
(f) Adopt policies that require the agencies to refer area residents and community action
program constituents to education programs that increase literacy, improve parenting skills,
and address the needs of children from families in poverty. These programs include, but are
not limited to, early childhood family education programs, adult basic education programs,
and other lifelong learning opportunities. The agencies and agency programs, including Head
Start, shall collaborate with child care and other early childhood education programs to ensure
smooth transitions to work for parents.
    Subd. 7. Agencies as local providers. Agencies defined by this section shall be considered
among local providers of outreach services and activities for all antipoverty efforts.
    Subd. 8. Categorical funds. Federal antipoverty categorical funds consolidated into block
grants to the state of Minnesota shall be designated by the state for antipoverty purposes.
History: 1981 c 367 s 3; 1982 c 571 s 4-8; 1985 c 282 s 3; 1986 c 411 s 1,2; 1987 c 403
art 2 s 133; 1994 c 632 art 4 s 65; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 25; 1Sp1998
c 1 art 1 s 3; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.32 COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS.
    Subdivision 1. In general. A community action program is a community based and operated
program which:
(a) Includes or is designed to include a sufficient number of projects or components to
provide, in sum, a range of services and activities having a measurable and potentially major
impact on causes of poverty in the community or those areas of the community where poverty is a
particularly acute problem;
(b) Has been developed, and which organizes and combines its component projects and
activities, in a manner appropriate to carry out all the purposes of sections 256E.30 to 256E.32; and
(c) Conforms to any other supplementary criteria as the governor may prescribe consistent
with the purposes and provisions of sections 256E.30 to 256E.32.
    Subd. 2. Components. The components of a community action program shall be designed
to assist participants, including homeless individuals and families, migrant and seasonal
farmworkers, and the elderly poor to achieve increased self-sufficiency and greater participation
in the affairs of the community by providing services and programs not sufficiently provided in
the community by any governmental unit, any public institution, or any other publicly funded
agency or corporation. Community action agencies, governmental units, public institutions or
other publicly funded agencies or corporations shall consult on whether or not a program or
service is sufficiently provided in the community.
    Subd. 3. Administration. Components of a community action program may be administered
by the community action agency when consistent with sound and efficient management and
applicable law, or by other agencies. They may be projects eligible for assistance under section
256E.30, or projects assisted from other public or private sources; and they may be either
specially designed to meet local needs, or designed pursuant to the eligibility standards of a
state or federal program providing assistance to a particular kind of activity which will help in
meeting those needs.
    Subd. 4. Data classification. Data collected on individuals from which the identity of any
individual receiving services may be determined are private data on individuals as defined
in section 13.02.
History: 1981 c 367 s 4; 1982 c 571 s 9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1Sp1998 c 1 art 1 s 4;
2000 c 468 s 21; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.33 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Transitional housing" means housing designed for independent living and provided to a
homeless person or family at a rental rate of at least 25 percent of the family income for a period
of up to 24 months. If a transitional housing program is associated with a licensed facility or
shelter, it must be located in a separate facility or a specified section of the main facility where
residents can be responsible for their own meals and other daily needs.
(c) "Support services" means an assessment service that identifies the needs of individuals
for independent living and arranges or provides for the appropriate educational, social, legal,
advocacy, child care, employment, financial, health care, or information and referral services
to meet these needs.
    Subd. 2. Establishment and administration. A transitional housing program is established
to be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner may make grants to eligible recipients
or enter into agreements with community action agencies or other public or private nonprofit
agencies to make grants to eligible recipients to initiate, maintain, or expand programs to provide
transitional housing and support services for persons in need of transitional housing, which may
include up to six months of follow-up support services for persons who complete transitional
housing as they stabilize in permanent housing. The commissioner must ensure that money
appropriated to implement this section is distributed as soon as practicable. The commissioner
may make grants directly to eligible recipients. The commissioner may use up to ten percent of
the appropriation available for this program for persons needing assistance longer than 24 months.
    Subd. 3. Eligible recipients. A housing and redevelopment authority established under
section 469.003 or a community action agency recognized under section 256E.31 is eligible for
assistance under the program. In addition, a partnership, joint venture, corporation, or association
that meets the following requirements is also eligible:
(1) it is established for a purpose not involving pecuniary gain to its members, partners,
or shareholders;
(2) it does not pay dividends or other pecuniary remuneration, directly or indirectly, to
its members, partners, or shareholders; and
(3) in the case of a private, nonprofit corporation, it is established under and in compliance
with chapter 317A.
    Subd. 4. Applications. An eligible recipient may apply to the commissioner, or to a nonprofit
agency designated by the commissioner, for a grant to initiate, maintain, or expand a program
providing transitional housing and support services for persons in need of transitional housing.
The application must include:
(1) a proposal for the provision of transitional housing and support services, including
program objectives, availability of adequate funding, appropriateness of the proposed program for
the population to be served, and how the program will help individuals to move into permanent
housing;
(2) a proposed budget;
(3) a plan for collection of required data and the method to be used for program evaluation;
and
(4) evidence of the participation in the development of the application of any agency or
governmental body that will provide essential services or assistance to the program.
    Subd. 5. Criteria for grant awards. Criteria for the award of grants must include:
(1) evidence that the application meets all program requirements;
(2) evidence of the need of the applicant for state assistance and of the need for the particular
program;
(3) indication of long-range plans for future funding if the need continues to exist for the
service; and
(4) assurance that grants are awarded to as wide a variety of programs as possible, with
emphasis on programs that concentrate on long-term solutions to individual housing problems.
    Subd. 6. Programs designated. At least two programs funded must be located in the
seven-county metropolitan area and at least one program must be located outside of the
metropolitan area. The commissioner may fund programs designed primarily to serve families
with children, single persons, and persons leaving a shelter for family abuse.
    Subd. 7. Funding coordination. Grant recipients must combine funds awarded under this
section with other funds from public and private sources.
    Subd. 8. Program information. In order to collect uniform data to better measure the nature
and extent of the need for transitional housing, grant recipients must collect and make available to
the commissioner the following information:
(1) the number of requests received for transitional housing, including the number of persons
requiring assistance;
(2) the number of persons for whom services are provided, listed by age;
(3) reasons for seeking assistance;
(4) length of stay;
(5) reasons for leaving the housing program;
(6) demand for support services;
(7) follow-up information on status of persons assisted, including source of income and
whether living independently, employed, or in treatment, unless the information is not available;
and
(8) source of income on entering the program, prior residence, race, and sex of persons
assisted.
    Subd. 9. Private data. Personal history information and other information collected, used, or
maintained by a grant recipient from which the identity of any individual receiving services may
be determined is private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, and the
grant recipient must maintain the data in accordance with the provisions of chapter 13.
    Subd. 10. Licensing requirements not applicable. The requirements of sections 245A.01 to
245A.16 and chapter 245C do not apply to transitional housing and support services funded under
this section unless the commissioner of human services determines that the program is primarily a
residential program within the meaning of section 245A.02, subdivision 14.
    Subd. 11. Authority to waive requirements during disaster periods. The commissioner
may waive requirements under this section for up to nine months after the disaster for grantees
in areas where a federal disaster has been declared under United States Code, title 42, section
5121, et seq., or the governor has exercised authority under chapter 12. The commissioner shall
notify the chairs of the senate Family and Early Childhood Education Budget Division, the
senate Education Finance Committee, the house Family and Early Childhood Education Finance
Division, the house Education Committee, and the house Ways and Means Committee ten days
before the effective date of any waiver granted under this section.
History: 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 42,58; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 301-305; 1Sp1985 c 14
art 9 s 75; 1987 c 291 s 204; 1989 c 47 s 1-6; 1989 c 209 art 2 s 1; 1989 c 304 s 137; 1991 c 199
art 2 s 18; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1995 c 14 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 200 art 4 s 2; 1998 c
273 s 7; 1998 c 383 s 34; 2003 c 15 art 1 s 33; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24; 2005 c 159 art 5 s 1

256E.34 FOODSHELF.
    Subdivision 1. Distribution of appropriation. The commissioner must distribute funds
appropriated to the commissioner by law for that purpose to Hunger Solutions, a statewide
association of foodshelves organized as a nonprofit corporation as defined under section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to distribute to qualifying foodshelves. A foodshelf
qualifies under this section if:
(1) it is a nonprofit corporation, or is affiliated with a nonprofit corporation, as defined in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(2) it distributes standard food orders without charge to needy individuals. The standard
food order must consist of at least a two-day supply or six pounds per person of nutritionally
balanced food items;
(3) it does not limit food distributions to individuals of a particular religious affiliation, race,
or other criteria unrelated to need or to requirements necessary to administration of a fair and
orderly distribution system;
(4) it does not use the money received or the food distribution program to foster or advance
religious or political views; and
(5) it has a stable address and directly serves individuals.
    Subd. 2. Application. In order to receive money appropriated under this section, Hunger
Solutions must apply to the commissioner. The application must be in a form prescribed by the
commissioner and must indicate the proportion of money each qualifying foodshelf shall receive.
Applications must be filed at the times and for the periods determined by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Distribution formula. Hunger Solutions must distribute money distributed to it
by the department to foodshelf programs in proportion to the number of individuals served by
each foodshelf program. The commissioner must gather data from Hunger Solutions or other
appropriate sources to determine the proportionate amount each qualifying foodshelf program is
entitled to receive. The commissioner may increase or decrease the qualifying foodshelf program's
proportionate amount if the commissioner determines the increase or decrease is necessary or
appropriate to meet changing needs or demands.
    Subd. 4. Use of money. At least 96 percent of the money distributed to Hunger Solutions
under this section must be distributed to foodshelf programs to purchase, transport, and coordinate
the distribution of nutritious food to needy individuals and families. No more than four percent of
the money may be expended for other expenses, such as rent, salaries, and other administrative
expenses of Hunger Solutions.
    Subd. 5. Enforcement. Hunger Solutions must retain records documenting expenditure of
the money and comply with any additional requirements imposed by the commissioner. The
commissioner may require Hunger Solutions to report on its use of the funds. The commissioner
may require that the report contain an independent audit. If ineligible expenditures are made
by Hunger Solutions, the ineligible amount must be repaid to the commissioner and deposited
in the general fund.
    Subd. 6. Administrative expenses. All funds appropriated under this section must be
distributed to Hunger Solutions as provided under this section with deduction by the commissioner
for administrative expenses limited to 1.8 percent.
    Subd. 7. Data classification. Data collected on individuals from which the identity of any
individual receiving services may be determined are private data on individuals as defined
in section 13.02.
History: 1998 c 273 s 8; 2000 c 468 s 22; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 3 s 11; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.35 FAMILY ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The Minnesota family assets for independence initiative is
established to provide incentives for low-income families to accrue assets for education, housing,
and economic development purposes.
    Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Family asset account" means a savings account opened by a household participating in
the Minnesota family assets for independence initiative.
(c) "Fiduciary organization" means:
(1) a community action agency that has obtained recognition under section 268.53;
(2) a federal community development credit union serving the seven-county metropolitan
area; or
(3) a women-oriented economic development agency serving the seven-county metropolitan
area.
(d) "Financial institution" means a bank, bank and trust, savings bank, savings association,
or credit union, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
or the National Credit Union Administration.
(e) "Permissible use" means:
(1) postsecondary educational expenses at an accredited public postsecondary institution
including books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction;
(2) acquisition costs of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence, including any
usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs;
(3) business capitalization expenses for expenditures on capital, plant, equipment, working
capital, and inventory expenses of a legitimate business pursuant to a business plan approved
by the fiduciary organization; and
(4) acquisition costs of a principal residence within the meaning of section 1034 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which do not exceed 100 percent of the average area purchase
price applicable to the residence determined according to section 143(e)(2) and (3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(f) "Household" means all individuals who share use of a dwelling unit as primary quarters
for living and eating separate from other individuals.
    Subd. 3. Grants awarded. The commissioner shall allocate funds to participating fiduciary
organizations to provide family asset services. Grant awards must be based on a plan submitted
by a statewide organization representing fiduciary organizations. The statewide organization must
ensure that any interested unrepresented fiduciary organization have input into the development of
the plan. The plan must equitably distribute funds to achieve geographic balance and document
the capacity of participating fiduciary organizations to manage the program and to raise the
private match.
    Subd. 4. Duties. A participating fiduciary organization must:
(1) provide separate accounts for the immediate deposit of program funds;
(2) establish a process to select participants and describe any priorities for participation;
(3) enter into a family asset agreement with the household to establish the terms of
participation;
(4) provide households with economic literacy education;
(5) provide households with information on early childhood family education;
(6) provide matching deposits for participating households;
(7) coordinate with other related public and private programs; and
(8) establish a process to appeal and mediate disputes.
    Subd. 5. Household eligibility; participation. (a) To be eligible for state or TANF matching
funds in the family assets for independence initiative, a household must meet the eligibility
requirements of the federal Assets for Independence Act, Public Law 105-285, in Title IV, section
408 of that act.
(b) Each participating household must sign a family asset agreement that includes the amount
of scheduled deposits into its savings account, the proposed use, and the proposed savings goal. A
participating household must agree to complete an economic literacy training program.
Participating households may only deposit money that is derived from household earned
income or from state and federal income tax credits.
    Subd. 6. Withdrawal; matching; permissible uses. (a) To receive a match, a participating
household must transfer funds withdrawn from a family asset account to its matching fund
custodial account held by the fiscal agent, according to the family asset agreement. The fiscal
agent must determine if the match request is for a permissible use consistent with the household's
family asset agreement.
The fiscal agent must ensure the household's custodial account contains the applicable
matching funds to match the balance in the household's account, including interest, on at least a
quarterly basis and at the time of an approved withdrawal. Matches must be provided as follows:
(1) from state grant and TANF funds a matching contribution of $1.50 for every $1 of
funds withdrawn from the family asset account equal to the lesser of $720 per year or a $3,000
lifetime limit; and
(2) from nonstate funds, a matching contribution of no less than $1.50 for every $1 of
funds withdrawn from the family asset account equal to the lesser of $720 per year or a $3,000
lifetime limit.
(b) Upon receipt of transferred custodial account funds, the fiscal agent must make a direct
payment to the vendor of the goods or services for the permissible use.
    Subd. 7. Program reporting. The fiscal agent on behalf of each fiduciary organization
participating in a family assets for independence initiative must report quarterly to the
commissioner of human services and to the commissioner of education identifying the participants
with accounts, the number of accounts, the amount of savings and matches for each participant's
account, the uses of the account, and the number of businesses, homes, and educational services
paid for with money from the account, as well as other information that may be required for the
commissioner to administer the program and meet federal TANF reporting requirements.
History: 1Sp1998 c 1 art 1 s 6-12; 1999 c 205 art 4 s 8-10; 2000 c 489 art 1 s 23-25,46;
2003 c 130 s 12; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24

256E.36 EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
(c) "Eligible organization" means a local governmental unit or nonprofit organization
providing or seeking to provide emergency services for homeless persons.
(d) "Emergency services" means:
(1) providing emergency shelter for homeless persons; and
(2) assisting homeless persons in obtaining essential services, including:
(i) access to permanent housing;
(ii) medical and psychological help;
(iii) employment counseling and job placement;
(iv) substance abuse treatment;
(v) financial assistance available from other programs;
(vi) emergency child care;
(vii) transportation; and
(viii) other services needed to stabilize housing.
    Subd. 2. Program established; purpose. An emergency services grant program is
established to provide homeless persons essential services and emergency shelter in safe, sanitary,
and decent facilities. The grant program is to help eligible organizations improve the quality of
existing shelters, make available other emergency housing, meet the operating and maintenance
costs of shelters, and provide essential services to homeless persons. The program shall be
administered by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Distribution of grants. The commissioner shall make grants so as to ensure that
emergency services are available to meet the needs of homeless persons statewide.
    Subd. 4. Matching funds. The commissioner may require a grantee to match the grant
amount with $1 of nonstate funds for every $2 of grant funds. The match may be in-kind,
including the value of volunteer time, or in cash, or a combination of the two.
    Subd. 5. Applications. An eligible organization may apply to the commissioner for a grant
to initiate, maintain, or expand a program providing emergency services for homeless persons.
The commissioner shall determine the timing and form of the application for the program.
    Subd. 6. Criteria for grant awards. The commissioner shall award grants based on the
following criteria:
(1) that the application is for a grant to provide emergency services;
(2) evidence of the applicant's need for state assistance and of the need for the particular
emergency services to be funded; and
(3) long-range plans for future funding if the need continues to exist for the emergency
services.
    Subd. 7. Program information. In order to collect uniform data to measure better the nature
and extent of the need for emergency services, grant recipients shall collect and make available to
the commissioner the following information:
(1) the number of persons who seek emergency shelter and where they are seeking shelter;
(2) the number of persons for whom shelter is provided and where, by age, sex, and whether
as an individual or part of a family;
(3) the reasons for seeking assistance;
(4) the length of stay;
(5) the reasons for leaving the shelter; and
(6) the demand for essential services.
History: 1997 c 162 art 3 s 7; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24