2000 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 256K. Work first program pilot projects

     256K.01 Work first program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Citation.  Sections 256K.01 to 256K.09 
 may be cited as the work first program. 

    Subd. 2.    Definitions.  As used in sections 256K.01 to 
 256K.09, the following words have the meanings given them. 

    (a) "Applicant" means an individual who has submitted a 
 request for assistance and has never received an AFDC grant as 
 formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, an MFIP grant or 
 a family general assistance grant as formerly codified in 
 sections 256D.01 to 256D.23 through the MAXIS computer system as 
 a caregiver, or an applicant whose application under the former 
 AFDC program codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, MFIP, or the 
 former family general assistance program codified in sections 
 256D.01 to 256D.23 was denied or benefits were terminated due to 
 noncompliance with work first program requirements. 

    (b) "Application date" means the date any Minnesota county 
 agency receives a signed and dated combined application form 
 Part I. 

    (c) "CAF" means a combined application form on which people 
 apply for multiple assistance programs, including:  cash 
 assistance, refugee cash assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, 
 food stamps, medical assistance, general assistance medical 
 care, emergency assistance, emergency medical assistance, and 
 emergency general assistance medical care. 

    (d) "Caregiver" means a parent or eligible adult, including 
 a pregnant woman, who is part of the assistance unit that has 
 applied for or is receiving an MFIP grant.  In a two-parent 
 family, both parents are caregivers. 

    (e) "Child support" means a voluntary or court-ordered 
 payment by absent parents in an assistance unit. 

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

    (g) "Department" means the department of human services. 

    (h) "Employability development plan" or "EDP" means a plan 
 developed by the applicant, 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. 

    (i) "EDP status report form" means a program form on which 
 deferred participants indicate what has been achieved in the 
 participant's employability development plan and the types of 
 problems encountered. 

    (j) "Employment advisor" means a program staff member 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. 

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

    (l) "Job network" means individuals that a person may 
 contact to learn more about particular companies, inquire about 
 job leads, or discuss occupational interests and expertise. 

    (m) "Job search allowance" means the amount of financial 
 assistance needed to support job search. 

    (n) "Job search plan" or "JSP" means the specific plan 
 developed by the applicant, with advice from the employment 
 advisor, to secure a job as soon as possible, and focus the 
 scope of the job search process and other activities.  

    (o) "JSP status report form" means a program form on which 
 participants indicate the number of submitted job applications, 
 job interviews held, jobs offered, other outcomes achieved, 
 problems encountered, and the total number of hours spent on job 
 search per week. 

    (p) "Participant" means a recipient who is required to 
 participate in the work first program. 

    (q) "Program" means the work first program. 

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

    (s) "Self-employment" means employment where people work 
 for themselves rather than an employer, are responsible for 
 their own work schedule, and do not have taxes or FICA withheld 
 by an employer. 

    (t) "Self-sufficiency agreement" means the agreement 
 between the county or its representative and the applicant that 
 describes the activities that the applicant must conduct and the 
 necessary services and aid to be furnished by the county to 
 enable the individual to meet the purpose of either the job 
 search plan or employability development plan. 

    (u) "Subsidized job" means a job that is partly reimbursed 
 by the provider for cost of wages for participants in the 
 program. 

    Subd. 3.    Establishing work first program.  The 
 commissioners of human services and economic security may 
 develop and establish pilot projects which require applicants 
 for aid under MFIP to meet the requirements of the work first 
 program.  The purpose of the program is to: 

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

    (2) promote 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.    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 neighborhood 
 associations are involved. 

    Subd. 5.    Program design.  The program shall meet the 
 following principles: 

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

    (2) the individual's potential is reviewed during the 
 application process to determine how to approach the job market 
 aggressively; 

    (3) public aid such as cash and medical assistance, child 
 care, child support assurance, 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. 6.    Duties of commissioner.  In addition to any 
 other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall: 

    (1) establish the program according to sections 256K.01 to 
 256K.09 and allocate money as appropriate to pilot counties 
 participating in the program; 

    (2) provide systems development and staff training; 

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

    (4) direct a study to safeguard the interests of children. 

    Subd. 7.    Duties of county agency.  The county agency 
 shall: 

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

    (2) operate the work first program in partnership with 
 private and public employers, local industry councils, labor 
 unions, and employment, educational, and social service 
 agencies, according to subdivision 4; and 

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

    Subd. 8.    Duties of participant.  To be eligible for 
 an MFIP benefit, a participant shall cooperate with the county 
 agency, the provider, and the participant's employer in all 
 aspects of the program. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 1; 1999 c 159 s 94-96 

     256K.015 Eligibility for work first. 

    To be eligible for work first, an applicant must meet the 
 eligibility requirements of MFIP, to the extent that those 
 requirements are not inconsistent with this chapter. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 2; 1999 c 159 s 97 

     256K.02 Program participants; program expectations. 

    All applicants selected for participation are expected to 
 meet the requirements under the work first program.  Payments 
 for rent and utilities up to the MFIP benefits to which the 
 assistance unit is entitled will be vendor paid for as many 
 months as the applicant is eligible or six months, whichever 
 comes first.  The residual amount after vendor payment, if any, 
 will be paid to the recipient, unless it is used as a wage 
 subsidy under section 256K.04, subdivision 2. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 3; 1999 c 159 s 98 

     256K.03 Program requirements. 

    Subdivision 1.    Notification of program.  Except for 
 the provisions in this section, the provisions for the MFIP 
 application process shall be followed.  Within two days after 
 receipt of a completed combined application form, the county 
 agency must refer to the provider the applicant who meets the 
 conditions under section 256K.02, and notify the applicant in 
 writing of the program including the following provisions: 

    (1) notification that, as part of the application process, 
 applicants are required to attend orientation, to be followed 
 immediately by a job search; 

    (2) the program provider, the date, time, and location of 
 the scheduled program orientation; 

    (3) the procedures for qualifying for and receiving 
 benefits under the program; 

    (4) the immediate availability of supportive services, 
 including, but not limited to, child care, transportation, 
 medical assistance, and other work-related aid; and 

    (5) the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of 
 participants in the program, including, but not limited to, the 
 grounds for exemptions and deferrals, the consequences for 
 refusing or failing to participate fully, and the appeal process.

    Subd. 2.    Program orientation.  The county must give a 
 face-to-face orientation regarding the program to the applicant 
 within five days after the date of application.  The orientation 
 must be designed to inform the applicant of: 

    (1) the importance of locating and obtaining a job as soon 
 as possible; 

    (2) benefits to be provided to support work; 

    (3) the manner by which benefits shall be paid; 

    (4) how other supportive services such as medical 
 assistance, child care, transportation, and other work-related 
 aid shall be available to support job search and work; 

    (5) the consequences for failure without good cause to 
 comply with program requirements; and 

    (6) the appeal process. 

    Subd. 3.    Job search plan; employment advisor; financial 
 specialist.  At the end of orientation, the provider must 
 assign an employment advisor and a financial specialist to the 
 applicant.  With advice from the employment advisor, the 
 applicant must develop a job search plan based on existing job 
 markets, prior employment, work experience, and transferable 
 work skills, unless exempt under subdivision 5.  A job search 
 must be planned and conducted for a period of up to eight 
 consecutive weeks from the date of application and for at least 
 32 hours per week.  The types of and target number of job 
 openings to be pursued per week must be written in the job 
 search plan.  The following activities may be included in the 
 job search plan: 

    (1) motivational counseling; 

    (2) job networking or training on how to locate job 
 openings; 

    (3) development of a personal resume; and 

    (4) information on how to conduct job interviews and 
 establish a personal job network. 

    Following the development of the job search plan or the 
 employability development plan under subdivision 8, the 
 financial specialist must interview the applicant to determine 
 eligibility for and the extent of benefits under sections 
 256K.06 and 256K.07 to support the job search or employability 
 development plan.  The provider must attach to the appropriate 
 plan the summary of the necessary enabling services and benefits 
 to be furnished by the provider.  The provider or its 
 representative and the applicant must sign the plan, with its 
 attachment, to indicate a self-sufficiency agreement between the 
 provider and the participant. 

    Subd. 4.    Immediate job search.  An applicant must be 
 required to begin job search within seven days after the date of 
 application for at least 32 hours per week for up to eight 
 weeks, unless exempt under subdivision 5 or deferred under 
 subdivision 8.  For an applicant who is working at least 20 
 hours per week, job search shall consist of 12 hours per week 
 for up to eight weeks.  Within the first five days of job 
 search, the applicant is required to initiate informational 
 contacts with prospective employers, generate additional job 
 leads from the job network, review references and experiences 
 from previous employment, and carry out the other activities 
 under the job search plan developed under subdivision 3. 

    Subd. 5.    Exemption categories.  (a) The applicant 
 will be exempt from the job search requirements and development 
 of a job search plan and an employability development plan under 
 subdivisions 3, 4, and 8 if the applicant belongs to any of the 
 following groups: 

    (1) individuals who are age 60 or older; 

    (2) individuals who are suffering from a professionally 
 certified permanent or temporary illness, injury, or incapacity 
 which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and which 
 prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment.  
 Persons in this category with a temporary illness, injury, or 
 incapacity must be reevaluated at least quarterly; 

    (3) caregivers whose presence in the home is needed because 
 of the professionally certified illness or incapacity of another 
 member in the assistance unit, a relative in the household, or a 
 foster child in the household; 

    (4) women who are pregnant, if the pregnancy has resulted 
 in a professionally certified incapacity that prevents the woman 
 from obtaining and retaining employment; 

    (5) caregivers of a child under the age of one year who 
 personally provide full-time care for the child.  This exemption 
 may be used for only 12 months in a lifetime.  In two-parent 
 households, only one parent or other relative may qualify for 
 this exemption; 

    (6) individuals who are single parents or one parent in a 
 two-parent family employed at least 35 hours per week; 

    (7) individuals experiencing a personal or family crisis 
 that makes them incapable of participating in the program, as 
 determined by the county agency.  If the participant does not 
 agree with the county agency's determination, the participant 
 may seek professional certification, as defined in section 
 256J.08, that the participant is incapable of participating in 
 the program.  Persons in this exemption category must be 
 reevaluated every 60 days; or 

    (8) second parents in two-parent families employed for 20 
 or more hours per week provided the first parent is employed at 
 least 35 hours per week. 

    (b) A caregiver who is exempt under clause (5) must enroll 
 in and attend an early childhood and family education class, a 
 parenting class, or some similar activity, if available, during 
 the period of time the caregiver is exempt under this section.  
 Notwithstanding section 256J.46, failure to attend the required 
 activity shall not result in the imposition of a sanction. 

    Subd. 6.    County duties.  The county must act on the 
 application within 30 days of the application date.  If the 
 applicant is not eligible, the application will be denied and 
 the county must notify the applicant of the denial in writing.  
 An applicant whose application has been denied may be allowed to 
 complete the job search plan; however, supportive services will 
 not be provided. 

    Subd. 7.    Job search plan status report.  The 
 applicant or participant must submit a completed job search plan 
 status report form to the employment advisor every two weeks 
 during the job search process, with the first completed form due 
 21 days after the date of application. 

    Subd. 8.    Employability development plan.  At the 
 discretion and approval of the employment advisor, the applicant 
 may be deferred from the requirement to conduct at least 32 
 hours of job search per week for up to eight consecutive weeks, 
 if during the development of the job search plan, the applicant 
 is determined to: 

    (1) not have worked within the past 12 months and not have 
 a high school or a general equivalency diploma provided the 
 applicant agrees to develop and carry out an employability 
 development plan instead of job search, and concurrently work 
 for at least 16 hours per week in a temporary public service 
 job.  The employability development plan must include the 
 employment goals and specific outcomes the participant must 
 achieve; 

    (2) be within six months of completing any post-secondary 
 training program, provided that the applicant agrees to develop 
 and carry out an employability development plan instead of a job 
 search, and concurrently work for a minimum number of hours per 
 week in a temporary public service job.  The employability 
 development plan must include the employment goal and specific 
 outcomes that the participant must achieve.  The applicant that 
 is deferred under this subdivision may choose to work in a job 
 other than a public service job for a minimum number of hours 
 per week rather than in a temporary public service job.  For 
 individuals who are participating in an educational program 
 under this clause, and who are attending school full time as 
 determined by the institution, there is no work requirement.  
 For individuals participating in an educational program on a 
 part-time basis as determined by the institution, the minimum 
 number of hours that a participant must work shall be decreased 
 as the participant increases the number of credit hours taken, 
 except that the participant shall not be required to work more 
 than eight hours per week. 

    During vacation periods of one month or more, the 16-hour 
 per week minimum work requirement shall apply.  The applicant 
 may be deferred for up to six months.  At the end of the 
 deferment period, the participant must develop a job search plan 
 and conduct at least 32 hours of job search per week for up to 
 eight consecutive weeks, and submit reports as required under 
 subdivisions 3 and 4; or 

    (3) be in treatment for chemical dependency, be a victim of 
 domestic abuse, or be homeless, provided that the applicant 
 agrees to develop an employability development plan instead of a 
 job search plan, and immediately follow through with the 
 activities in the employability development plan.  The 
 employability development plan must include specific outcomes 
 that the applicant must achieve for the duration of the 
 employability development plan and activities which are needed 
 to address the issues identified.  Under this clause, the 
 applicant may be deferred for up to eight weeks. 

    Subd. 9.    EDP status report.  The participant who is 
 deferred from job search under subdivision 8 must submit a 
 completed employability development plan status report form to 
 the employment advisor every 14 days as long as the participant 
 continues to be deferred, with the first completed form due 21 
 days after the date of application. 

    Subd. 10.    Job offer.  The participant must not refuse 
 any job offer, provided that the job is within the participant's 
 physical and mental abilities, pays hourly gross wages of not 
 less than the applicable state or federal minimum wage, and 
 meets health and safety standards set by federal, state, and 
 county agencies.  If a job is offered, the participant must 
 inform the provider immediately to redetermine eligibility for 
 and extent of benefits and services to support work.  To enhance 
 job retention, the provider may provide services such as 
 motivational counseling or on-site problem solving for up to six 
 months.  The participant who has completed at least six months 
 of work in a nonsubsidized job shall be encouraged to 
 participate in a training program that would improve the 
 participant's ability to obtain a job that pays a higher wage. 

    Subd. 11.    Duty to report.  The participant must 
 immediately inform the provider regarding any changes related to 
 the participant's employment status. 

    Subd. 12.    Requirement to work in a temporary public 
 service job.  (a) If after the completion of the maximum eight 
 weeks of job search the participant has failed to secure a 
 nonsubsidized or a subsidized job for at least 32 hours per 
 week, or does not earn a net income from self-employment that is 
 equal to at least the MFIP monthly grant for the household size, 
 the participant is required to work in a temporary public 
 service job for up to 67 working days for (1) at least 32 hours 
 per week, or (2) a period equivalent to the result of dividing 
 the monthly grant amount which the participant would otherwise 
 receive, by the federal hourly minimum wage, or applicable 
 hourly state minimum wage, or the hourly rate of pay for 
 individuals employed in the same occupation at the site, 
 whichever is highest.  If the result is more than 128 hours per 
 month, the participant's requirement to work in a temporary 
 public service job shall not be more than 32 hours per week. 

    (b) Within seven days from the date of application, the 
 participant who is deferred under subdivision 8, clause (1) or 
 (2), and is participating in an educational program on a 
 part-time basis must work in a temporary public service job as 
 required under subdivision 8, clause (2). 

    (c) The provider shall strive to match the profile of the 
 participant with the needs of the employers that are 
 participating in a temporary jobs program under section 256K.05. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 4; 1998 c 407 art 6 s 109; 1999 c 159 
 s 99,100 

     256K.04 Job development and subsidy. 

    Subdivision 1.    Job inventory.  The provider must 
 develop an inventory of job openings including full-time, 
 part-time, permanent, temporary or seasonal, and training 
 positions in partnership with private and public employers, 
 local industry councils, and employment agencies.  To the extent 
 possible, the inventory must include specific information 
 regarding job openings, must be updated on a weekly basis, and 
 must be available to all participants on a daily basis. 

    Subd. 2.    Job subsidy.  The county may use all or part 
 of the MFIP benefit as a subsidy to employers for the purpose of 
 providing work experience or training to the participant who has 
 completed the job search plan, provided that: 

    (1) the job to be subsidized is permanent and full time, 
 and pays an hourly rate of at least $6 per hour; 

    (2) the employer agrees to retain the participant after 
 satisfactory completion of the work experience or training 
 period; and 

    (3) the participant has first tried to secure a 
 nonsubsidized job by following the job search plan.  

    The subsidy may be available for up to six months. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 5; 1999 c 159 s 101 

     256K.05 Temporary jobs program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Program established.  The provider 
 must establish and operate a program to provide temporary jobs 
 to participants who, after eight weeks of job search, are not 
 hired into a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job, or are deferred 
 under section 256K.03, subdivision 8.  The temporary jobs to be 
 created under this section must be public service jobs that 
 serve a useful public service such as:  health, social service, 
 environmental protection, education, urban and rural development 
 and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, 
 public safety, community service, services to the aged or 
 disabled citizens, and child care. 

    Subd. 2.    Assignment to temporary public service jobs. 
  The provider must assign the participant who (1) is within 
 completion of the required eight weeks of job search and has 
 failed to secure a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job for at 
 least 32 hours per week, or (2) does not earn a net income from 
 self-employment that is equal to at least the MFIP monthly grant 
 for the household size to a temporary public service job.  The 
 assignment must be made seven days before the end of the job 
 search and be based on section 256K.03, subdivision 12.  The 
 participant that is deferred under section 256K.03, subdivision 
 8, will be assigned by the provider to a temporary public 
 service job within seven days after the application. 

    Subd. 3.    Participant's status.  The participant who 
 is working in a temporary public service job under this section 
 is not considered an employee for the purposes of unemployment 
 benefits, retirement, or civil service laws, and shall not 
 perform work ordinarily performed by a public employee. 

    Subd. 4.    Continuous job search requirement.  At the 
 discretion of the provider, the participant who is working in a 
 temporary public service job under section 256K.03, subdivision 
 12, may be required to continue to look for a job for up to 
 eight hours per week in addition to working.  The participant 
 who is working at least 20 hours per week but less than 32 hours 
 per week in a nonsubsidized or subsidized job may be required to 
 look for a job for up to 20 hours per week in lieu of work in 
 the temporary public service job so that the total hours of work 
 and job search is not more than 40 hours per week. 

    Subd. 5.    Excused absences.  The participant who is 
 working in a temporary public service job may be allowed excused 
 absences from the assigned temporary job site up to eight hours 
 per month.  For purposes of this subdivision, "excused absence" 
 means absence due to temporary illness or injury of the 
 caregiver or a member of the caregiver's family, the 
 unavailability of appropriate child care or unavailability of 
 transportation needed to go to and from the work site, a job 
 interview, or a nonmedical emergency.  For purposes of this 
 subdivision, "emergency" means a sudden, unexpected occurrence 
 or situation of a serious or urgent nature that requires action. 

    Subd. 6.    Move to a different county.  If the 
 applicant or recipient who is required to participate in the 
 work first program moves to a different county in this state, 
 the benefits and enabling services agreed upon in the 
 self-sufficiency agreement shall be provided by the pilot county 
 where the applicant or recipient originated, provided the move 
 was part of the job search or employability development plan.  
 If the applicant or recipient is moving to a different county 
 for failure to comply with the requirements of the work first 
 program, the applicant or recipient will not be eligible for 
 MFIP-S in this state for at least six months from the date of 
 the move. 

    HIST: 1997 c 66 s 80; 1997 c 85 art 2 s 6; 1999 c 107 s 66; 
 1999 c 159 s 102; 2000 c 343 s 4 

     256K.06 Transitional benefits to support work; rent and 
  utilities vendor payment. 

    Payments for rent and utilities up to the amount of MFIP-S 
 benefits to which the assistance unit is entitled shall be 
 provided in the form of vendor payments for as many months as 
 the applicant is eligible or six months, whichever comes first.  
 The residual amount after vendor payment, if any, will be paid 
 to the MFIP recipient, unless it is used as a wage subsidy under 
 section 256K.04, subdivision 2.  This provision shall apply to 
 all applicants including those meeting the exemption categories 
 under section 256K.03, subdivision 5, or deferral categories 
 under section 256K.03, subdivision 8.  To the extent needed, a 
 job search allowance shall be provided for up to eight weeks to 
 cover expenses related to the job search.  Before the job search 
 allowance is issued, it must be approved by the employment 
 advisor and financial specialist, and clearly described in the 
 job search plan. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 7; 1999 c 159 s 103 

     256K.07 Eligibility for food stamps, medical assistance, 
  and child care. 

    The participant shall be treated as an MFIP recipient for 
 food stamps, medical assistance, and child care eligibility 
 purposes.  The participant who leaves the program as a result of 
 increased earnings from employment shall be eligible for 
 transitional medical assistance and child care without regard to 
 MFIP receipt in three of the six months preceding ineligibility. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 8; 1999 c 159 s 104 

     256K.08 Sanctions and appeal process. 

    Subdivision 1.    Good cause.  (a) For purposes of this 
 subdivision, "good cause" means absence due to temporary illness 
 or injury of the participant or a member of the participant's 
 family, the unavailability of appropriate child care or 
 unavailability of transportation needed to attend orientation or 
 conduct job search, or a nonmedical emergency as defined under 
 section 256K.05, subdivision 5. 

    (b) The applicant who is required, but fails, without good 
 cause, to participate in orientation, complete the job search 
 plan or employability development plan, and comply with the job 
 search requirements under section 256K.03, prior to being 
 eligible for MFIP shall be denied benefits.  The applicant will 
 not be eligible for benefits in this state for at least six 
 months. 

    (c) If, after receiving a written warning from the county, 
 the participant fails, without good cause, to conduct at least 
 32 hours of job search per week in any given two-week period, 
 the participant will be immediately required to work for at 
 least 16 hours per week in a temporary public service job.  The 
 required 32 hours per week of job search will be reduced to 16 
 hours. 

    (d) If the participant who is deferred under section 
 256K.03, subdivision 8, fails to comply with the activities 
 described in the employability development plan, the participant 
 will lose the deferment status, provided that the participant 
 has received at least two written warnings from the provider. 

    (e) If the participant refuses to work in a temporary 
 public service job, or is terminated from a temporary public 
 service job for failure to work, benefits to the assistance unit 
 shall be terminated and the participant shall not be eligible 
 for aid under the MFIP program for at least six months from the 
 date of refusal or termination.  If the participant, before 
 completing at least four consecutive months of employment, 
 voluntarily quits or is terminated from a nonsubsidized or a 
 subsidized job, the participant shall immediately be assigned to 
 work in a temporary public service job for at least 32 hours per 
 week for up to 67 working days unless the participant is hired 
 or rehired into a nonsubsidized or subsidized job. 

    Subd. 2.    Notice of sanctions.  If the county 
 determines that the participant has failed or refused without 
 good cause, as defined in subdivision 1, to cooperate with the 
 program requirements, the county shall inform the participant in 
 writing of its intent to impose an applicable sanction listed 
 under subdivision 1 and the opportunity to have a conciliation 
 conference upon request and within five days of the notice 
 before a sanction is imposed. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 9; 1999 c 159 s 105 

     256K.09 Funding. 

    Subdivision 1.    Leveraging grant amount to secure other 
 funds.  The county agency or the provider, in cooperation with 
 the department, may leverage the grant amount to secure other 
 funds from employers, foundations, and the community for the 
 purpose of developing additional components to benefit children 
 and improve the program. 

    Subd. 2.    Employer reimbursement.  The employer shall 
 be reimbursed for wages paid to participants under section 
 256K.04, subdivision 2. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 2 s 10 

     256K.25 Supportive housing and managed care pilot 
  project. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment and purpose.  (a) The 
 commissioner shall establish a supportive housing and managed 
 care pilot project in two counties, one within the seven-county 
 metropolitan area and one outside of that area, to determine 
 whether the integrated delivery of employment services, 
 supportive services, housing, and health care into a single, 
 flexible program will: 

    (1) reduce public expenditures on homeless families with 
 minor children, homeless noncustodial parents, and other 
 homeless individuals; 

    (2) increase the employment rates of these persons; and 

    (3) provide a new alternative to providing services to this 
 hard-to-serve population. 

    (b) The commissioner shall create a program for counties 
 for the purpose of providing integrated intensive and 
 individualized case management services, employment services, 
 health care services, rent subsidies or other short- or 
 medium-term housing assistance, and other supportive services to 
 eligible families and individuals.  Minimum project and 
 application requirements shall be developed by the commissioner 
 in cooperation with counties and their nonprofit partners with 
 the goal to provide the maximum flexibility in program design. 

    (c) Services available under this project must be 
 coordinated with available health care services for an eligible 
 project participant. 

    Subd. 2.    Definition.  For purposes of this section, 
 "homeless" means having no appropriate housing available and 
 lacking the resources necessary to access permanent housing, as 
 determined by the county requesting funding under subdivision 3, 
 and: 

    (1) living, or being at imminent risk of living, on the 
 street or in a shelter; or 

    (2) having been evicted from a dwelling or discharged from 
 a regional treatment center, state-operated community-based 
 program, community hospital, or residential treatment program.  

    Subd. 3.    County eligibility.  A county may request 
 funding under this pilot project if the county: 

    (1) agrees to develop, in cooperation with nonprofit 
 partners, a supportive housing and managed care pilot project 
 that integrates the delivery of employment services, supportive 
 services, housing and health care for eligible families and 
 individuals, or agrees to contract with an existing integrated 
 program; 

    (2) for eligible participants who are also MFIP recipients, 
 agrees to develop, in cooperation with nonprofit partners, 
 procedures to ensure that the services provided under the pilot 
 project are closely coordinated with the services provided under 
 MFIP; and 

    (3) develops a method for evaluating the quality of the 
 integrated services provided and the amount of any resulting 
 cost savings to the county and state. 

    Subd. 4.    Participant eligibility.  (a) In order to be 
 eligible for the pilot project, the county must determine that a 
 participant is homeless or is at risk of homelessness; has a 
 mental illness, a history of substance abuse, or HIV; and is a 
 family that meets the criteria in paragraph (b) or is an 
 individual who meets the criteria in paragraph (c). 

    (b) An eligible family must include a minor child or a 
 pregnant woman, and: 

    (1) be receiving or be eligible for MFIP assistance under 
 chapter 256J; or 

    (2) include an adult caregiver who is employed or is 
 receiving employment and training services, and have household 
 income below the MFIP exit level in section 256J.24, subdivision 
 10.  

    (c) An eligible individual must: 

    (1) meet the eligibility requirements of the group 
 residential housing program under section 256I.04, subdivision 
 1; or 

    (2) be a noncustodial parent who is employed or is 
 receiving employment and training services, and have household 
 income below the MFIP exit level in section 256J.24, subdivision 
 10.  

    Subd. 5.    Funding.  A county may request funding from 
 the commissioner for a specified number of TANF-eligible project 
 participants.  The commissioner shall review the request for 
 compliance with subdivisions 1 to 4 and may approve or 
 disapprove the request.  If other funds are available, the 
 commissioner may allocate funding for project participants who 
 meet the eligibility requirements of subdivision 4, paragraph 
 (c).  

    Subd. 6.    Report.  Participating counties and the 
 commissioner shall collaborate to prepare and issue an annual 
 report, beginning December 1, 2001, to the chairs of the 
 appropriate legislative committees on the pilot project's use of 
 public resources, including other funds leveraged for this 
 initiative, the employment and housing status of the families 
 and individuals served in the project, and the 
 cost-effectiveness of the project.  The annual report must also 
 evaluate the pilot project with respect to the following project 
 goals:  that participants will lead more productive, healthier, 
 more stable and better quality lives; that the teams created 
 under the project to deliver services for each project 
 participant will be accountable for ensuring that services are 
 more appropriate, cost-effective and well-coordinated; and that 
 the system-wide costs of serving this population, and the 
 inappropriate use of emergency, crisis-oriented or institutional 
 services, will be materially reduced.  The commissioner shall 
 provide data that may be needed to evaluate the project to 
 participating counties that request the data. 

    Subd. 7.    Sunset.  The pilot project under this 
 section sunsets on June 30, 2006. 

    HIST: 2000 c 488 art 10 s 25 

     256K.30 Grants for nontraditional career assistance and 
  training programs. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment and purpose.  The 
 commissioner shall establish a program of reimbursement-based 
 grants to nonprofit organizations to provide nontraditional 
 career assistance and training (NCAT) programs that encourage 
 and assist low-income women with minor children to enter 
 nontraditional careers in the trades and in manual and technical 
 operations. 

    Subd. 2.    Requirements for grantees.  To be eligible 
 for a grant under this section, an NCAT program must include the 
 career assistance component specified in subdivision 4. 

    Subd. 3.    Outreach component.  An NCAT program may 
 include an outreach component that provides outreach to girls 
 and women through public and private elementary and secondary 
 schools, appropriate community organizations, or existing state 
 and county employment and training programs.  The outreach must 
 consist of:  general information concerning opportunities for 
 women in the trades, manual, and technical occupations, 
 including specific fields where worker shortages exist; and 
 specific information about training programs offered.  The 
 outreach may include printed or recorded information, hands-on 
 experiences for women and girls, presentations to women and 
 girls, or ongoing contact with appropriate staff. 

    Federal TANF funds may not be used for the outreach 
 component of an NCAT program. 

    Subd. 4.    Career assistance component.  An NCAT 
 program may include a career assistance component that provides 
 the following assistance for low-income women to enter careers 
 in the trades and technical occupations: 

    (1) training designed to prepare women to succeed in 
 nontraditional occupations, conducted by an NCAT grantee or in 
 collaboration with another institution.  The training must cover 
 the knowledge and skills required for the trade, information 
 about on-the-job realities for women in the particular trade, 
 physical strength and stamina training as needed, opportunities 
 for developing workplace problem-solving skills, and information 
 about the current and projected future job market and likely 
 career path for the trade; 

    (2) assistance with child care and transportation during 
 training, during job search, and for at least the first two 
 months of posttraining employment; 

    (3) job placement assistance during training, during job 
 search, and for at least two years after completion of the 
 training program; and 

    (4) job retention support may be in the form of mentorship 
 programs, support groups, or ongoing staff contact for at least 
 the first year of posttraining employment, including access to 
 job-related information, assistance with workplace issue 
 resolution, and access to advocacy services. 

    Subd. 5.    NCAT; eligible participants.  To be eligible 
 to enroll in an NCAT program under this section, a participant 
 must be a female caregiver receiving assistance under chapter 
 256J or this chapter.  

    Subd. 6.    Accessibility required.  Approved NCAT 
 programs must be accessible to women who are MFIP participants.  
 Factors that contribute to a program's accessibility include: 

    (1) affordability of tuition and supplies; 

    (2) geographic proximity to low-income neighborhoods, child 
 care, and public transportation routes; and 

    (3) flexibility of the hours per week required by the 
 program and the duration of the program, in order to be 
 compatible with the program participants' family needs and the 
 need for participants to be employed during training. 

    HIST: 2000 c 488 art 10 s 26 

     256K.35 At-risk youth out-of-wedlock pregnancy 
  prevention program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment and purpose.  The 
 commissioner shall establish a statewide grant program to 
 prevent or reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies 
 among homeless, runaway, or thrown-away youth who are at risk of 
 being prostituted or currently being used in prostitution.  The 
 goal of the out-of-wedlock pregnancy prevention program is to 
 significantly increase the number of existing short-term shelter 
 beds for these youth in the state.  By providing street outreach 
 and supportive services for emergency shelter, transitional 
 housing, and services to reconnect the youth with their families 
 where appropriate, the number of youth at risk of being sexually 
 exploited or actually being sexually exploited, and thus at risk 
 of experiencing an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, will be reduced. 

    Subd. 2.    Funds available.  The commissioner shall 
 make funds for street outreach and supportive services for 
 emergency shelter and transitional housing for out-of-wedlock 
 pregnancy prevention available to eligible nonprofit 
 corporations or government agencies to provide supportive 
 services for emergency and transitional housing for at-risk 
 youth.  The commissioner shall consider the need for emergency 
 and transitional housing supportive services throughout the 
 state, and must give priority to applicants who offer 24-hour 
 emergency facilities. 

    Subd. 3.    Application; eligibility.  (a) A nonprofit 
 corporation or government agency must submit an application to 
 the commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner 
 establishes.  The application must describe how the applicant 
 meets the eligibility criteria under paragraph (b).  The 
 commissioner may also require an applicant to provide additional 
 information. 

    (b) To be eligible for funding under this section, an 
 applicant must meet the following criteria: 

    (1) the applicant must have a commitment to helping the 
 community, children, and preventing juvenile prostitution.  If 
 the applicant does not have any past experience with youth 
 involved in or at risk of being used in prostitution, the 
 applicant must demonstrate knowledge of best practices in this 
 area and develop a plan to follow those practices; 

    (2) the applicant must present a plan to communicate with 
 local law enforcement officials, social services, and the 
 commissioner consistent with state and federal law; and 

    (3) the applicant must present a plan to encourage 
 homeless, runaway, or thrown-away youth to either reconnect with 
 family or to transition into long-term housing. 

    Subd. 4.    Uses of funds.  (a) Funds available under 
 this section must be used to create and maintain supportive 
 services for emergency shelter and transitional housing for 
 homeless, runaway, and thrown-away youth.  Federal TANF funds 
 must be used to serve youth and their families with household 
 income below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  If 
 other funds are available, services may be provided to youth 
 outside of TANF-eligible families. 

    (b) Funds available under this section shall not be used to 
 conduct general education or awareness programs unrelated to the 
 operation of an emergency shelter or transitional housing. 

    HIST: 2000 c 488 art 10 s 27