1997 Minnesota Statutes

     256.7381 MNJOBS program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Citation and implementation.  Sections 
 256.7381 to 256.7387 may be cited as the MNJOBS program.  For 
 purposes of sections 256.7381 to 256.7388, the commissioner may 
 allow the implementation of the MNJOBS program in counties that 
 have been approved by the commissioner as early as April 1, 
 1997, but no later than July 1, 1997. 

    Subd. 2.    Definitions.  As used in sections 256.7381 
 to 256.7387, the following words have the meanings given them. 

    (a) "Recipient" means an individual who is receiving AFDC. 

    (b) "Caretaker" means a parent or eligible adult, including 
 a pregnant woman, who is part of the assistance unit that has 
 applied for or is receiving AFDC or a grant. 

    (c) "Child support" means a voluntary or court-ordered 
 payment by a noncustodial parent. 

    (d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

    (e) "Employability development plan" or "EDP" means a plan 
 developed by the recipient, with advice from the employment 
 advisor, for the purposes of identifying an employment goal, 
 improving work skills through certification or education, 
 training or skills recertification, and which addresses barriers 
 to employment. 

    (f) "Employment advisor" means a provider staff person who 
 is qualified to assist the participant to develop a job search 
 or employability development plan, match the participant with 
 existing job openings, refer the participant to employers, and 
 has an extensive knowledge of employers in the area. 

    (g) "Financial specialist" means a program staff who is 
 trained to explain the benefits offered under the program, 
 determine eligibility for different assistance programs, and 
 broker other resources. 

    (h) "Participant" means a recipient who is required to 
 participate in the MNJOBS program. 

    (i) "Program" means the MNJOBS program. 

    (j) "Provider" means an employment and training agency 
 certified by the commissioner of economic security under section 
 268.871, subdivision 1. 

    (k) "Suitable employment" means employment which meets 
 conditions set forth in section 256.736, subdivision 1, clause 
 (h). 

    Subd. 3.    Establishing the MNJOBS program.  At the 
 request of a county or counties, the commissioners of human 
 services and economic security shall develop and establish the 
 MNJOBS program, which requires recipients of AFDC to meet the 
 requirements of the program.  The purpose of the program is to: 

    (1) ensure that the participant is working as soon as 
 possible; 

    (2) promote a greater opportunity for economic 
 self-support, participation, and mobility in the work force; and 

    (3) minimize the risk for long-term welfare dependency. 

    Subd. 4.    County design; MNJOBS program.  The 
 commissioner shall issue a notice to counties to submit a plan 
 for developing and implementing a MNJOBS program.  The plan must 
 be consistent with provisions of the program. 

    The commissioner shall not approve a county plan that would 
 have an adverse impact on the Minnesota family investment 
 program (MFIP) or the MFIP evaluation.  However, this does not 
 preclude MFIP counties from operating a MNJOBS program.  If the 
 plan meets the requirements of the program, the commissioner 
 shall approve the county plan and the county may implement the 
 plan.  No county may implement a MNJOBS program without an 
 approved modification to its local service unit plan in 
 accordance with section 268.88. 

    Subd. 5.    Program administration.  The program must be 
 administered in a way that, in addition to the county agency, 
 other sectors in the community, such as employers from the 
 public and private sectors, not-for-profit organizations, 
 educational and social service agencies, labor unions, and 
 community-based organizations, are involved. 

    Subd. 6.    Program design.  The purpose of the program 
 is to enable immediate labor force participation and assist 
 families in achieving self-sufficiency.  The program plan must 
 meet the following principles: 

    (1) work is the primary means of economic support; 

    (2) the individual's employment potential is reviewed 
 during the development of the EDP; 

    (3) public aid such as cash and medical assistance, child 
 care, child support, and other cash benefits are used to support 
 intensive job search and immediate work; and 

    (4) maximum use is made of tax credits to supplement income.

    Subd. 7.    Waiver requests.  The commissioner shall 
 request all waivers of federal law and regulation as soon as 
 possible to implement the program.  Upon obtaining all necessary 
 federal waivers, the commissioner shall amend the state plans 
 for the AFDC and the jobs opportunities and basic skills program 
 (JOBS), and supportive services plan to coordinate these 
 programs under the MNJOBS program for the approved counties, and 
 shall seek approval of state plan amendments. 

    Subd. 8.    Duties of commissioner.  In addition to any 
 other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall: 

    (1) request all waivers to implement the program; 

    (2) establish the MNJOBS program; 

    (3) provide systems development and staff training; 

    (4) accept and supervise the disbursement of any funds that 
 may be provided from other sources for use in the program; 

    (5) approve county MNJOBS plans; and 

    (6) allocate program funds. 

    Subd. 9.    Duties of county agency.  The county agency 
 shall: 

    (1) collaborate with the commissioners of human services, 
 economic security, and other agencies to develop, implement, and 
 evaluate the demonstration of the program; 

    (2) operate the program in partnership with private and 
 public employers, workforce councils, labor unions, and 
 employment, educational, and social service agencies, and 
 according to subdivision 5; and 

    (3) ensure that program components such as client 
 orientation, immediate job search, job development, creation of 
 community work experience jobs, job placements, and 
 postplacement follow-up are implemented according to the MNJOBS 
 program. 

    Subd. 10.    Duties of participant.  To be eligible for 
 AFDC, a participant shall cooperate with the county agency, the 
 provider, and the participant's employer in all aspects of the 
 program. 

    HIST: 1996 c 465 art 1 s 1,11