1997 Minnesota Statutes

     256.7365 Special projects to address dependence on AFDC. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment and purpose.  The 
 commissioner shall establish a grant program for projects to 
 serve AFDC caretakers who have received AFDC for at least 36 
 months, AFDC caretakers with substantial barriers to employment, 
 or individuals at risk of long-term dependency on AFDC.  The 
 projects shall assist individuals to escape or avoid long-term 
 dependency on AFDC.  

    Subd. 2.    Definitions.  For the purpose of this 
 section, the following terms have the meanings given them.  

    (a) "Substantial barriers to employment" means 
 disabilities, chemical dependency, having children with 
 disabilities, lack of a high school degree, lack of a marketable 
 occupational skill, three or more children, or lack of regular 
 work experience in the previous five years.  

    (b) "Case management" means case management as defined in 
 section 256.736, subdivision 11. 

    Subd. 3.    Application.  Counties, employment and 
 training service providers, cities, local and state agencies, 
 federally recognized Indian reservations, educational 
 institutions, job training agencies, community-based 
 organizations, displaced homemaker programs, supported work 
 programs, and other nonprofit agencies may apply for grants 
 under this section.  

    Subd. 4.    Selection.  A committee consisting of the 
 commissioner of human services, the commissioner of economic 
 security, and the chancellor of the Minnesota state colleges and 
 universities, or their designees, shall review the project 
 proposals and select projects to receive grants under this 
 section.  The first set of projects must be selected by March 1, 
 1988.  At least two projects must be selected that are operated 
 by or in cooperation with tribes or organizations representing 
 ethnic minorities, except that the committee may reject any 
 project proposal that does not meet the design requirements 
 established in subdivision 5. 

    Subd. 5.    Project design.  Projects selected under 
 this section must: 

    (1) use existing resources whenever possible; 

    (2) serve one of the three groups listed in subdivision 1; 

    (3) meet financial and administrative standards established 
 by the commissioner; 

    (4) participate in reporting and evaluation requirements as 
 specified by the commissioner; and 

    (5) provide matching funds, including in-kind matches, but 
 not including income maintenance grants, medical assistance, 
 food stamps, or state job training funds.  Preference shall be 
 given to projects which include multiagency participation or 
 coordination. 

    Subd. 6.    Allowable expenditures.  (a) Projects may 
 use money received under this section for education, employment, 
 social services, child care, transportation, support services, 
 rehabilitation services, relocation assistance, job development, 
 work experience, on-the-job training, case management, medical 
 services, and other appropriate services. 

    (b) Projects may use up to 15 percent of the money received 
 under this section for administrative expenses.  Administrative 
 expenses do not include expenses for activities in paragraph (a).

    (c) The commissioner may establish limits on the use of 
 money for particular purposes or services. 

    Subd. 7.    Demonstration and evaluation.  For the 
 biennium ending June 30, 1989, projects are demonstration 
 projects to test the effectiveness of differing approaches to 
 serving populations with acute needs.  The commissioner of human 
 services shall submit to the governor and the legislature a 
 progress report by February 1, 1989, and shall submit subsequent 
 program evaluation reports as part of the biennial plan. 

    Subd. 8. Repealed, 1990 c 568 art 4 s 85 

    Subd. 9.    Carryover authority.  Money appropriated in 
 one fiscal year may be carried forward into the next year to 
 ensure continuity of services and funding for follow-up services.

    HIST: 1987 c 403 art 3 s 22; 1990 c 375 s 3; 1990 c 568 art 4 
 s 14; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1996 c 395 s 18