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MFIP employment service provider information

Employment service providers work with clients in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Diversionary Work Program (DWP).

This information is for employment service providers in their day-to-day duties.

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News and updates

Job fairs and hiring events    

American Indian OIC career fair

Meet with over 23 employers. Free and open to the public.

Employer of the Day – Transamerica

  • Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Hennepin County South Minneapolis Human Service Center
    2215 East Lake Street, #122, Minneapolis, 55407
  • Transamerica event flyer (PDF)

Announcements 

Participants needed in U of M study

The University of Minnesota (U of M) is looking for people to take part in a study about children’s eating and play habits. Somali, Latino, Hmong, Native American and African American families that have children between 5 and 9 years old to are encouraged to take a survey to help the U of M create programs for healthy children. Before taking the on-line survey, parents/guardians will need the height and weight measurements for each child. The survey takes about one hour to complete. Participants will be sent a $60 gift card. 18 months later, another survey will be sent and participants will get another $60 gift card. Information is kept confidential. For more information, please email family1@umn.edu, or call at 612-624-3129. Posted 9/11/18.

Application deadline is December 15, 2018.

Crisis resources

Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741 741 for free help for people across Minnesota who are having a mental health crisis or are contemplating suicide. The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7.

In the Twin Cities metro area, call **CRISIS (274747) from a cell phone to talk to a team of professionals who can help you, 24/7.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a toll-free number: 800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Community resources, education and training

Budgeting and finance

School supplies tax credit for parents

When parents purchase school supplies for children in grades K - 12, they need to keep their receipts for tax time because they may be able to get money back or lower the taxes owed. To see what school expenses qualify, learn more at www.youclaimit.org/k12 or call Prepare + Prosper at 651-287-0187.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides resources to help consumers make informed financial decisions. Visit Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Financial Literacy Directory

Many organizations are available to help people get tools they need to budget, create savings, reduce debt and build a good credit rating. The agencies listed in this booklet provide a variety of financial services, so be sure to check the individual websites for more details. View the directory (PDF).

Changing Lives Minnesota

Center for Changing Lives Minnesota, part of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, presents a free three day Financial Literacy course each month. Learn about budgeting, reducing debt and building assets, building a good credit rating and how to protect your money from scams. Learn about the Four Cornerstones of Financial Literacy Classes

Career exploration

My Next Move

MyNextMove.org is a career exploration website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Center for Changing Lives Minnesota, part of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, presents a free 3-week Employment Empowerment class. Topics include learning your natural skills to help you discover your career, job search skills, how to handle life when it overwhelms you and other techniques to increase chances of success. Classes presented monthly.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Career and Education Explorer Data Tool

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Job Search Guide provides insights and practical advice to help job seekers plan and launch a successful job search.

Avivo Virtual Career Center: resources for anyone looking for career development and job search tools including interest assessments and career research tools. (Some resources are only for Avivo participants).

Communication

Low-cost internet service through Internet Essentials from Comcast

Find out if you’re eligible to get home Internet for $9.95 plus tax per month. You must:

  • Have at least one child who qualifies for the National School Lunch Program.
  • Do not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old.
  • Families with outstanding debt more one year old may still be eligible.
  • Live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available but have not subscribe to it within the last 90 days.

For more information visit Internet Essentials.

Corrections, crime and justice

Help for ex-offenders and people with legal problems

  • Ex-offender Job Readiness: website with information and links to help ex-offenders find jobs.
  • Jobs for Felons Hub: website with information about jobs, housing, legal representation, and resources.
  • Step Ahead: website to help ex-offenders and the transitioning incarcerated with career planning and job search. Includes discovering career and educational options, setting goals, and choosing a career path and a downloadable 68 page workbook.
  • Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Clinics: free legal consultations on civil matters including evictions and landlord abuse, foreclosure rights, public and Section 8 housing, housing discrimination, denial of public benefits, divorce, child custody and support, domestic abuse, disability, debt collection and unfair loans, immigration , youth and elder related issues and more.
  • The New Leaf Workshop helps job seekers with a criminal record. The class combines the Creative Job Search course with information on how, when, and why to disclose your record, addressing employers’ concerns, answering tough interview questions, and more. Workshops are held at Minnesota Workforce Centers throughout the Metro area. New Leaf Workshop flyer with locations and dates (PDF)
  • Accessibility Incorporated Career and Educational Pathways program provides jobs and training for people with criminal backgrounds who are making the transition from jail to the community.
  • Criminal expungements: The Minnesota Department of Human Services document on how to seal criminal records – Basics on Criminal Expungements (PDF)
  • Office of Justice programs provides information on how to help crime victims. Information includes victim rights, victim advocates and financial assistance.
  • The Legal Rights Center is a non-profit law firm that provides free criminal defense and restorative justice services to low-income people who are charged in Hennepin County.
  • Deaf and hard of hearing traffic cards are for people who are deaf to help them communicate with law enforcement officials. The two-way communication card provides guidance to officers and can help make interactions easier.
  • Volunteer Lawyers Network is a non-profit that provides civil legal services to low-income people through volunteer attorneys.

Early intervention and youth resources

Education and training

Apprenticeship Minnesota

Apprenticeships offer classroom and hands-on paid training in more than 100 in-demand occupations. Apprenticeships earn a paycheck from day one and national certifications after they complete the program. Learn more at the Apprenticeship Minnesota website.

EMERGE

This program provides employment help, job training, financial services, GED test prep, and housing. Training offered includes information technology essentials, machining training, janitorial training, property maintenance technician, welding, certified nursing assistant, commercial driver's license (CDL), manufacturing foundations and solar panel installation. For more information, go to Emerge-mn.org, call 612-529-9267, or email training@emerge-mn.org.

About closing colleges

If a client's for-profit college is closing, employment counselors may use the attached document to advise clients about their options. Closing colleges FAQ information (PDF)

Associate degree program for low income students

Low-income students with a high school GPA of at least 2.5 are encouraged to apply for a two-year associate degree program from the University of St. Thomas (UST). The Dougherty Family College is located on the downtown UST Minneapolis campus. Eligible students may be eligible for scholarships and grants and may pay as little as $1000 per year. For more information, visit University of St Thomas, Dougherty Family College. 

Urban Tech Jobs Program (UTJP)

The Urban Tech Jobs Program (UTJP) is an accelerated technology training program that is exclusively designed for unemployed adults 18 and over, with a high school diploma or GED.

  • Free classes and training at the Minneapolis Urban League
  • Technology training programs from Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and others
  • Job readiness, personal resiliency and development workshops available, as well as counseling and paid work experience.
  • Contact Cathy Stephens at cstephens@mul.org or by phone by 612-302-3135.
  • Visit UTJP online.

IT training- Minneapolis TechHire Initiative

The Minneapolis region, the City of Minneapolis, three high-quality accelerated learning programs: PRIME Digital Academy, IT Futures Foundation – IT Ready, and Concordia University – Software Guild, and 60 regional employers have come together with the purpose of training and placing nontraditional, diverse IT workers into software engineering and support roles. Numerous education and training opportunities including free training are available at Minneapolis TechHire Initiative.

Virtual Career Network

Virtual Career Network offers information on career options, free online classes, opportunities to locate training and education programs, and to find job openings in healthcare, green economy and transit. Find openings.

Minneapolis Public Schools adult education

Minneapolis Public Schools adult education offers classes in English Language, GED preparation, computer classes, math, science, social studies, Career Pathways, citizenship classes, Child Development Associate (CDA) and employment skills preparation. Learn more at the Minnesota Community Education website.

Construction for native youth

Little Earth YouthBuild Program: paid construction training for 18-24 year old members of the Native community. The program provides training, learning carpentry skills and job placement assistance. View the flyer for the Little Earth YouthBuild Program (PDF)

Short-term training

Avivo (formerly RESOURCE) offers eight industry-specific, training programs at their Twin Cities’ locations. Find program and start dates online. Training programs at Avivo include accounting support, core manufacturing skills, IT support, maintenance (custodial), mechatronics, medical office support, office support specialist, warehouse operations. 

CLUES provides the Bridge to Your Future free training programs including Customer Service, Skilled Trades and Healthcare Programs.

Eastside Neighborhood Services vocational training: personal and home care aide, forklift operator, ServSafe food safety manager and leadership management. NEW: Spanish ServSafe food safety manager. Visit vocational training program for Eastside Neighborhood Services. 

Goodwill Easter Seals training programs: banking and finance, medical office, customer service/call center, construction, automotive service technician, and retail. Program brochure for Goodwill Easter Seals (PDF)

HAP is offering free bus driver training in May. Students will get their Class B- CDL with school bus and passenger endorsements. HAP will hold an information session every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at their Arcade Street office. View the CDL training flyer (PDF).

Hennepin Pathways Programs provide free training opportunities for individuals looking for employment with Hennepin County and other regional partners. Hennepin Pathways training programs prepare participants for jobs in several areas, including human services, building operations, office administration, and 911 telecommunications. Information on current training programs can be found on Hennepin County Career Pathways. 

HIRED Career Pathway Training: HIRED offers a number of opportunities for career training in high demand fields. Their programs have been developed in partnership with local employers to quickly prepare people for in-demand jobs including:

  • 911 telecommunications
  • Barista
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical call center
  • Office administration
  • Construction
  • Roofing construction
  • Transportation (including commercial driver learning permit training)

For more information, visit Career Pathway Training online.

International Institute of Minnesota tuition-free training programs for new Americans:

OfficePRO training: in just five weeks, eligible participants will learn basic office skills including typing, 10-key, Microsoft programs such as Excel and Powerpoint, business communication and professionalism, and more. Sponsored by St. Paul College and HIRED.

Summit Academy: 20-week accredited courses in the construction and health care, financial aid available for qualified students, job placement assistance for graduates. Visit Summit Academy.

Takoda Institute of Higher Learning: offers IT fundamentals, computer support specialist, computer basics, customer service, digital office professional, information technology services management, patient services specialist, project management and GED classes. Visit Takoda Institute of Higher Learning.

YWCA Teacher Development Program: train for a career as a teacher! Join the YWCA Minneapolis Early Childhood Education Teacher Development Program to gain professional skills you can take into a classroom. YWCA program flyer (PDF)

Energy assistance

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is in effect from October 15 to April 15. People who need help paying heating bills must contact their natural gas or electric utility company to make and keep a payment plan to receive CWR protection. Read more about requirements and contacts.

Community Action of Suburban Hennepin County

Community Action of Suburban Hennepin County works with homeowners and renters with low incomes to help them pay energy costs, such as a heating bill, furnace repair or weatherization, between October 1 and May 30 each year. Visit Community Action of Suburban Hennepin County.

Food and nutrition

WAGE$ Research Study

If you work in the city of Minneapolis, you may be able to participate in a long-term research study to find out if there is a relationship between wages earned and health. You could be eligible to participate if you are: 18 years old or older and earning $11.50/hr. or less at a job in Minneapolis, or are unemployed, but recently earned $11.50/hr. or less and are looking for work in Minneapolis.  You could earn $70 in the first year of the study, and up to $350 over 5 years. Enroll by calling: 612- 624-7673 or sending an email to wages@umn.edu.

Apply online or apply in-person at the locations on the WAGE$ flyer (PDF).  (Posted 8/6/2018)

EBT card holders can shop at Minneapolis Farmers Market on Lyndale

  • EBT card holders can go to the EBT booth at the farmers market to buy tokens and use them to get fresh food, like fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs and fish.
  • For every $10 of food EBT shoppers buy, they get another $10 to spend on food.
  • Participating food stalls have a sign, We accept EBT.
  • Minneapolis Farmers Market on Lyndale
    312 East Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405
    Thursday – Sunday
    6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Minneapolis Farmers Market EBT program

Find free food

Enter your state and city to find food shelves in your area at Free Food.org.

The Food Group (formerly Emergency Food Shelf Network)

The Food Group offers food, employment services, information and referral, shelter and transportation resources. Visit The Food Group.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) helps eligible pregnancy women, new mothers, babies and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Visit WIC.

Fare For All

Fare For All sells food packages including fresh fruits, vegetables and frozen meat, for $10-$25 (up to 40% off grocery store prices). Visit Fare For All.

Health, dental, and mental health

Autism resource website

The Minnesota Autism Resources website is now available for youth and adults with autism as well as parents, teachers, social service and health care professionals and others to get and share information about autism spectrum disorders and related conditions (ASD). A key strategy for the Minnesota Autism Resource website is crowdsourcing content, where individuals and organizations submit content for posting on the website.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

This website is a resource for education, advocacy, and leadership regarding mental illness in the United States. Providing helplines, public policy resources, and events, NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Visit National Alliance on Mental Illness online.

Walk-in Counseling Center

Free counseling at the Walk-In Counseling Center. No insurance required. Professional counselors address issues of depression, anxiety, chemical abuse/dependency, trauma, domestic violence and a variety of other emotional and interpersonal concerns. They serve people 15 years of age and up; individuals, couples and families (younger children when with parents). Conveniently located at 24th and Chicago in Minneapolis. Learn more at the counseling website.

Homelessness/housing

St. Stephens

St. Stephens provides a resource guide for poor and homeless people including information about essentials (clothes, food shelves, free meals, etc.), public assistance, health care, education, employment, and immigrant services and legal services. Handbook of the Streets (PDF)

Hennepin County

Hennepin County's report on homelessness includes county-provided services such as grants, transitional housing programs and youth services. Homelessness in Minnesota data and services (PDF)

Housinglink.org

Housinglink is a free resource to help renters find affordable choose housing in locations with access to good schools, employment, transportation, and community resources.

NorthPoint Eviction Prevention Pilot

Hennepin County residents who are concerned about being evicted or unable to pay rent may be able to get help from a new program. Services include case management services, referrals to mediation or legal assistance to resolve landlord/tenant disputes and cash assistance to help stabilize housing. There is also help for people who already have an eviction filing. To enroll in the pilot or find out more, contact NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, Inc. at 612-767-9159 or go to 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis 55411. View the NorthPoint eviction prevention flyer (PDF).

Parenting and family resources

Co-Parent Court Services

Co-Parent Court Services addresses barriers to effective co-parenting and provides tools to reduce conflict. Four workshops are offered during the evening free of cost. For more information, view the Co-Parent Court Services flyer (PDF)

Gateway Program

Gateway Program helps MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) families increase family strength and accomplish their goals. For more information, view the Gateway program flyer (PDF)

Social security and disability

Disability Benefits 101

Disability Benefits 101 offers tools and information on health coverage, benefits and employment. Visit Disability Benefits 101.

Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration provides online tools for learning about disability, retirement, replacement cards, name change process, and survivor benefits. Visit Social Security Administration online.

Tax preparation – free

Transportation

Transit Assistance Program (TAP) from Metro Transit to help low-income riders

Qualified commuters will be able to ride the bus or train any time for $1. To enroll, applicants must verify that they are low-income, and show an ID. Read more information on Transit Assistance Program.

Veterans

Connecting Vets

This is a nationwide, digital media operation, delivering information and analysis to military veterans and their families. Their web site includes comprehensive state-by-state informational listings for veterans and active military including news and available services. For more information about resources for Minnesota veterans, visit Benefits in my Backyard.

Veterans Administration and Department of Defense

The Veterans Administration and Department of Defense help veterans get civilian employment after active duty. Visit veterans employment center for job seekers.

Referral-based services

Employment-related programs

Specialty programs generic referral (DOC)

Connecting to Success

Connections to Success (CTS) is a pilot program to help motivated underemployed and unemployed MFIP clients find careers that lead to family and personal self-sufficiency. MFIP clients must be recommended by their employment counselors. This pilot is primarily an employer driven program. Those referred must be interested in employment and career opportunities with the employers CTS works with. Those placed into jobs will have the opportunity to receive ongoing career and personal development support after they are no longer enrolled in government assistance programs. 

Goodwill/Easter Seals Moving Forward Program

Moving Forward helps MFIP recipients with a criminal history find and keep employment. Eligible participants can have a criminal background of any type and must have at least six months remaining on MFIP.

Avivo (formerly RESOURCE) HealthChoices

The HealthChoices program coordinates chemical and mental health services for individuals and their children who are receiving MFIP benefits. Adults and/or their minor children may receive psychiatric services, therapy, learning disability assessments and connection to medical and dental care. Services help stabilize families and support individuals' employment goals. You can find referral information and the referral form at the bottom of the HealthChoices webpage.

Open Access Connections (Formerly Twin Cities Community Voice Mail)

Open Access provides voicemail service for job search activities for people who don't have phones.

HIRED's PACE program for academic and career excellence

PACE provides MFIP employment services to young parents ages 18 - 25 who are not enrolled in school but interested in re-enrolling.

DEED’s Stepping Stones Program

DEED’s Stepping Stones is a pilot program for Hennepin County MFIP participants with low reading and /or math skills and multiple barriers to employment. Stepping Stones provides assistance with intensive employment counseling, housing, transportation, child care, health care and mental health resources, ABE/GED/ESL registration, criminal background issues, legal assistance and substance abuse referrals.

Somali Success School (SSS)

The Somali Success School (SSS) is designed to increase the literacy, math and living skills, as well as the wage potential of local Somalis enrolled in MFIP. Location: 1545 E Lake Street, in Minneapolis. For more information or to refer, call Bobette Beckford or Abdinur Ali at (612) 338-3153.

Somali Success School flyer (PDF)

Sanction Resolution Programs

Avivo (formerly Resource Inc.)

HIRED Sanction Outreach Services (SOS):

Refugee Employment Services

RES providers who help refugees locate job openings, identify child care, fill out job applications, and use public transportation. Eligible refugees are those who’ve arrived in the U.S. within the last five years.

Tree Trust work programs

The Tree Trust Community Support Program provides work experience for Hennepin County Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) clients. Participants choose an unpaid, part-time position at a non-profit organization to gain work experience.

Tree Trust's TANF Youth Supported Work program

This program allows individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 to gain paid work experience while working outdoors on community improvement projects or indoors at local businesses, schools, and nonprofits.

View the TANF Youth Program brochure (PDF) or fill out the online referral form.

Clothing resources

Ready for Success — Clothing, accessories and personal care items for job seekers. Referrals must be made via the Ready for Success. Make a referral.

Interpreter and translator assistance

Parenting resources

Parenting for the Future offers parenting skills, social and community supports through classes and home visits, for parents with cognitive challenges and at least one child under age five.

Social Security and disability

Change HealthCare (formerly Chamberlin Edmonds) provides advocacy for clients who apply for federal SSI.

Manuals and training

Policies and procedures

County

State

Employment counselor training

After a job counselor is hired, there are county and state training options available.

County

State

To take a course with the department of human services, register with TrainLink. Once you register, you can enroll and take classes through TrainLink. Some classes are online and some are in person. TrainLink keeps track of learner participation, including classes completed and certifications earned. Visit TrainLink.

First time you register for a department of human services course:

  1. Click on “Unique Key Request” and fill in your name and information and e-mail address.
  2. Put down Linda DeHaven as the county training coordinator.
  3. The state will directly e-mail you a “Unique Key.” Once you have a “Unique Key,” you can look up a class and complete a registration.
  4. To look up the class, scroll down to “Learning Centers” and click on “Income Maintenance.” On the next page, look up the class schedules for income maintenance. Select a course and fill in your information, including the “Unique Key.” This will complete the class registration.

Key courses for new job counselors:

  • Three-day MFIP employment services course
  • Online data privacy course – complete at least 7 courses and the assessments
  • Workforce One training
  • Employability Measure (EM) training

Full course offerings of DHS MFIP employment services

Current year training calendar (scroll down to calendar)

Worker resources for employment service providers (PDF)

Forms

For DHS forms, go to the Department of Human Service (DHS) eDOCs website and search the form by entering the form number. Visit eDocs.

Overview requirements

Assessment

Family stabilization services

Employment and participation hours

Unpaid work experience

Education

Sanctions

Interpreters and limited English proficiency

Communication

Intra-agency/county

Client

ESP case audits

Contacts and systems access

Contact lists

Accessing computer systems for MFIP providers

Password resets

To change passwords for ECF, MEC2, Maxis, or Workforce One, please contact the Hennepin County Enterprise service desk at 612-348-6662. The service desk handles all password resets. Please be sure to include all of the information listed below:

  • Your name
  • Your agency name
  • Your phone number
  • Your email address
  • Your logon ID (EG#, WF#, TE#)
  • Name of system for which you need the password reset
  • Whether or not you remember your password. You do not need to tell them the password; some systems allow the password to be reset without changing it.

SMI password problems

If you have not received your SMI password from DHS, here is a temporary work around that will allow most of you to access ECF with limited functionality. Users can bypass SMI by logging into SMI Down Mode. In this mode, you will be able to view documents in person and case folders. A tutorial is attached on how to sign into SMI Down Mode and search for cases/persons while working in SMI Down Mode. If you currently have access to ECF in its full capacity (able to log into both sign in screens) please disregard this tutorial.  Tutorial (PDF)

Child care forms and procedures

Minnesota Family Investment Program and Diversionary Work Program child care forms are listed below.

County

State

Go to the Department of Human Services' (DHS) e-Docs site and search for the form by entering the DHS form number. 

  • Authorization for release of information about residence and shelter expenses, DHS 2952. eDocs
  • Change report form, DHS 4794. eDocs
  • Child care addendum, DHS 5223D. eDocs
  • Child care assistance re-determination, DHS 5274. eDocs
  • Child care assistance bi-weekly sliding fee schedule, DHS-6413 eDocs
  • Child care center employer responsibilities DHS-3914A eDocs
  • Child care center employee rights and responsibilities DHS-3941B eDocs
  • Client statement of good cause, DHS 2338. eDocs
  • Do you need help paying for child care?, DHS 3551. eDocs
  • Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program application, DHS 3550. eDocs
  • Parent acknowledgement when choosing a legal unlicensed provider, DHS 5367. eDocs
  • Parent request for in-home child care, DHS 6475. eDocs
  • Referral to support and collections, DHS 3163B. eDocs
  • Reporting responsibilities for CCAP families, DHS-6953. eDocs

Resources and reference

Additional information

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