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Office of the Revisor of Statutes

CHAPTER 256E. COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

Table of Sections
Section Headnote
256E.01 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.02 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.03 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.04 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.05 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.06 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.07 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.08 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.081 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.09 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.10 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.11 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.115 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]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 PERSONS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS.
256E.13 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.14 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.15 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]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.
256E.21 DEFINITIONS.
256E.22 TRUST FUND.
256E.24 LOCAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCILS.
256E.25 PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR DISBURSEMENT.
256E.26 ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS AND OTHER DONATIONS.
256E.27 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.
256E.28 CHILD PROTECTION GRANTS TO ADDRESS CHILD WELFARE DISPARITIES.
256E.30 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES.
256E.31 COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES.
256E.32 COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS.
256E.33 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.
256E.34 FOOD SHELF.
256E.35 FAMILY ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE.
256E.36 EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS.
EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES
256E.37 EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND CHILD PROTECTION FACILITIES.
256E.01 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.02 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.03 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.04 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.05 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.06 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.07 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.08 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.081 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.09 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.10 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.11 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]
256E.115 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 11 s 12]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 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 (p). 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.

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."

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.

[Repealed, 2008 c 277 art 1 s 98]

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 260E.03, subdivisions 15, 18, and 20.

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.

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 management and budget 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 management and budget 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.

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).

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 under section 216C.265;

(3) weatherization programs under section 216C.264;

(4) food shelf programs under section 256E.34 and the emergency food assistance program; and

(5) lead abatement programs under section 256E.37.

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.

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.

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.

256E.28 CHILD PROTECTION GRANTS TO ADDRESS CHILD WELFARE DISPARITIES.

Subdivision 1.Child welfare disparities grant program established.

The commissioner may award grants to eligible entities for the development, implementation, and evaluation of activities to address racial disparities and disproportionality in the child welfare system by:

(1) identifying and addressing structural factors that contribute to inequities in outcomes;

(2) identifying and implementing strategies to reduce racial disparities in treatment and outcomes;

(3) using cultural values, beliefs, and practices of families, communities, and tribes for case planning, service design, and decision-making processes;

(4) using placement and reunification strategies to maintain and support relationships and connections between parents, siblings, children, kin, significant others, and tribes; and

(5) supporting families in the context of their communities and tribes to safely divert them from the child welfare system, whenever possible.

Subd. 2.State-community partnerships; plan.

The commissioner, in partnership with the legislative task force on child protection; culturally based community organizations; the Indian Affairs Council under section 3.922; the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs under section 15.0145; the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage under section 15.0145; the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans under section 15.0145; the American Indian Child Welfare Advisory Council under section 260.835; counties; and tribal governments, shall develop and implement a comprehensive, coordinated plan to award funds under this section for the priority areas identified in subdivision 1.

Subd. 3.Measurable outcomes.

The commissioner, in consultation with the state-community partners listed in subdivision 2, shall establish measurable outcomes to determine the effectiveness of the grants and other activities funded under this section in reducing disparities identified in subdivision 1. The development of measurable outcomes must be completed before any funds are distributed under this section.

Subd. 4.Process.

(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the state-community partners listed in subdivision 2, shall develop the criteria and procedures to allocate competitive grants under this section. In developing the criteria, the commissioner shall establish an administrative cost limit for grant recipients. A county awarded a grant shall not spend more than three percent of the grant on administrative costs. When a grant is awarded, the commissioner must provide a grant recipient with information on the outcomes established according to subdivision 3.

(b) A grant recipient must coordinate its activities with other entities receiving funds under this section that are in the grant recipient's service area.

(c) Grant funds must not be used to supplant any state or federal funds received for child welfare services.

Subd. 5.Grant program criteria.

(a) The commissioner shall award competitive grants to eligible applicants for local or regional projects and initiatives directed at reducing disparities in the child welfare system.

(b) The commissioner may award up to 20 percent of the funds available as planning grants. Planning grants must be used to address such areas as community assessment, coordination activities, and development of community-supported strategies.

(c) Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to, faith-based organizations, social service organizations, community nonprofit organizations, counties, and tribal governments. Applicants must submit proposals to the commissioner. A proposal must specify the strategies to be implemented to address one or more of the priority areas in subdivision 1 and must be targeted to achieve the outcomes established according to subdivision 3.

(d) The commissioner shall give priority to applicants who demonstrate that their proposed project or initiative:

(1) is supported by the community the applicant will serve;

(2) is evidence-based;

(3) is designed to complement other related community activities;

(4) utilizes strategies that positively impact priority areas;

(5) reflects culturally appropriate approaches; or

(6) will be implemented through or with community-based organizations that reflect the culture of the population to be reached.

Subd. 6.Evaluation.

(a) Using the outcomes established according to subdivision 3, the commissioner shall conduct a biennial evaluation of the grant program funded under this section. Grant recipients shall cooperate with the commissioner in the evaluation and shall provide the commissioner with the information needed to conduct the evaluation.

(b) The commissioner shall consult with the legislative task force on child protection during the evaluation process.

(c) The commissioner shall submit a biennial evaluation report to the task force and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over child protection funding. This paragraph expires January 1, 2032.

Subd. 7.American Indian child welfare projects.

Of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section, the commissioner shall award $75,000 to each tribe authorized to provide tribal delivery of child welfare services under section 256.01, subdivision 14b. To receive funds under this subdivision, a participating tribe is not required to apply to the commissioner for grant funds. Participating tribes are also eligible for competitive grant funds under this section.

256E.30 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES.

Subdivision 1.Authorization.

The commissioner of human services 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 paragraphs (b) and (c), and to migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations under paragraph (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 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. 2a.Merger.

In the case of a merger between community action agencies, the newly created agency receives a base funding amount equal to the sum of the merged agencies' base funding amounts at the point of the merger as described in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), unless the commissioner determines the funding amount should be less than the sum of the merged agencies' base funding amount due to savings resulting from fewer redundancies and duplicative services.

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.

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.

256E.32 COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS.

Subdivision 1.In general.

A community action program is a community based and operated program which:

(1) 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;

(2) 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

(3) 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.

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 36 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 extend use of this program for persons needing assistance longer than 36 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 of representatives Family and Early Childhood Education Finance Division, the house of representatives Education Committee, and the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee ten days before the effective date of any waiver granted under this section.

256E.34 FOOD SHELF.

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 food shelves organized as a nonprofit corporation as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to distribute to qualifying food shelves. A food shelf 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 or a federally recognized Tribal nation;

(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 food shelf 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 food shelf programs in proportion to the number of individuals served by each food shelf program. The commissioner must gather data from Hunger Solutions or other appropriate sources to determine the proportionate amount each qualifying food shelf program is entitled to receive. The commissioner may increase or decrease the qualifying food shelf 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 food shelf 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.

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, vehicles, and economic development purposes.

Subd. 2.Definitions.

(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

(b) "Eligible educational institution" means the following:

(1) an institution of higher education described in section 101 or 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965; or

(2) an area vocational education school, as defined in subparagraph (C) or (D) of United States Code, title 20, chapter 44, section 2302 (3) (the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act), which is located within any state, as defined in United States Code, title 20, chapter 44, section 2302 (30). This clause is applicable only to the extent section 2302 is in effect on August 1, 2008.

(c) "Family asset account" means a savings account opened by a household participating in the Minnesota family assets for independence initiative.

(d) "Fiduciary organization" means:

(1) a community action agency that has obtained recognition under section 256E.31;

(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.

(e) "Financial coach" means a person who:

(1) has completed an intensive financial literacy training workshop that includes curriculum on budgeting to increase savings, debt reduction and asset building, building a good credit rating, and consumer protection;

(2) participates in ongoing statewide family assets for independence in Minnesota (FAIM) network training meetings under FAIM program supervision; and

(3) provides financial coaching to program participants under subdivision 4a.

(f) "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.

(g) "Household" means all individuals who share use of a dwelling unit as primary quarters for living and eating separate from other individuals.

(h) "Permissible use" means:

(1) postsecondary educational expenses at an eligible educational institution as defined in paragraph (b), 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;

(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; and

(5) acquisition costs of a personal vehicle only if approved by the fiduciary organization.

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.

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. 4a.Financial coaching.

A financial coach shall provide the following to program participants:

(1) financial education relating to budgeting, debt reduction, asset-specific training, and financial stability activities;

(2) asset-specific training related to buying a home or vehicle, acquiring postsecondary education, or starting or expanding a small business; and

(3) financial stability education and training to improve and sustain financial security.

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.

(c) 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.

(b) 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 a contribution of $3 from state grant or TANF funds for every $1 of funds withdrawn from the family asset account not to exceed a $6,000 lifetime limit.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if funds are appropriated for the Federal Assets for Independence Act of 1998, and a participating fiduciary organization is awarded a grant under that act, participating households with that fiduciary organization must be provided matches 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 not to exceed a $3,000 lifetime limit; and

(2) from nonstate funds, a matching contribution of not less than $1.50 for every $1 of funds withdrawn from the family asset account not to exceed a $3,000 lifetime limit.

(d) 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 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, vehicles, 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.

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, federally recognized Tribal Nation, 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.

EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES

256E.37 EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND CHILD PROTECTION FACILITIES.

Subdivision 1.Grant authority.

The commissioner may make grants to state agencies and political subdivisions to construct or rehabilitate facilities for early childhood programs, crisis nurseries, or parenting time centers. The following requirements apply:

(1) The facilities must be owned by the state or a political subdivision, but may be leased under section 16A.695 to organizations that operate the programs. The commissioner must prescribe the terms and conditions of the leases.

(2) A grant for an individual facility must not exceed $500,000 for each program that is housed in the facility, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a facility that houses three programs or more. Programs include Head Start, School Readiness, Early Childhood Family Education, licensed child care, and other early childhood intervention programs.

(3) State appropriations must be matched on a 50 percent basis with nonstate funds. The matching requirement must apply program wide and not to individual grants.

(4) At least 80 percent of grant funds must be distributed to facilities located in counties not included in the definition under section 473.121, subdivision 4.

Subd. 2.Grant priority.

(a) The commissioner must give priority to:

(1) projects in counties or municipalities with the highest percentage of children living in poverty;

(2) grants that involve collaboration among sponsors of programs under this section; and

(3) where feasible, grants for programs that utilize Youthbuild under sections 116L.361 to 116L.366 for at least 25 percent of each grant awarded or $50,000 of the labor portion of the construction, whichever is less, if:

(i) the work is appropriate for Youthbuild, as mutually agreed upon by the grantee and the local Youthbuild program, considering safety and skills needed;

(ii) it is demonstrated by Youthbuild that using Youthbuild will not increase the overall cost of the project; and

(iii) eligible programs consult with appropriate labor organizations to deliver education and training.

(b) The commissioner may give priority to:

(1) projects that collaborate with child care providers, including all-day and school-age child care programs, special needs care, sick child care, nontraditional hour care, and programs that include services to refugee and immigrant families;

(2) grants for programs that will increase their child care workers' wages as a result of the grant; and

(3) projects that will improve the quality of early childhood programs.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes