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Hennepin County, Minnesota

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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

Employer of the Day – Dungarvin
Sponsored by Hennepin County

  • Tuesday, June 26, 2018
  • 10 a.m. to Noon
  • Hennepin County South Minneapolis Human Service Center
    2215 East Lake Street, Room 122, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Dungarvin event flyer (PDF)

Employer of the Day – Aramark
Sponsored by Hennepin County

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2018, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sabathani Community Center
    310 East 38th Street, Room 120, Minneapolis, MN 55409
  • Aramark event flyer (PDF)

Job development career fair
Sponsored by Hennepin County

Veterans career fair

This is the largest veterans career fair in Minnesota, where attendees can meet with employers, service providers the help with employment-related needs and non-work related services, advice on resumes and job search, and a professional photographer to take photos for Linkedin profiles. Registration is requested but not required. View more information about the veterans career fair.

  • Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 2 to 6 p.m.
  • Earl Brown Heritage Center
    6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN, 55430

Employer of the Day – InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
Sponsored by Hennepin County

  • Tuesday, July 31, 2018, 10 a.m. to Noon
  • South Minneapolis Human Service Center
    2215 East Lake Street, Room 122, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • InterContinental event flyer (PDF)

Announcements

Free summer meals for children and teens

Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the summer while school is out of session. Find summer meals in your community.

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

Apprenticeships

Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative

More than 100 employers statewide are participating in the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative to bring more than 800 individuals into newly registered apprenticeship programs in 29 high-growth occupations spanning five industries: advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, information technology and transportation. Apprenticeship is a formal system of employee training that combines paid on-the-job training with related technical instruction. View more information on the Apprenticeship Minnesota website. Read the apprenticeship toolkit flyer (PDF)

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

Ex-Offender Job Readiness, created by Americorps members from the Community Technology Empowerment Project.

Jobs for Felons Hub

Step Ahead — Career planning for people with criminal convictions

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Clinics – free legal consultations on civil matters

The New Leaf Workshop

The New Leaf Workshop is designed for job seekers with a criminal record who are having a difficult time getting hired. This class combines the Creative Job Search course along 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 and are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. See New Leaf Workshop flyer for locations and dates (PDF).

County inmate rosters

Adult corrections facility inmate roster and the county sheriff jail roster allows you to search by name. The information is public according to state law (Minnesota Statute 641.05). Search rosters.

Accessibility Incorporated

Accessibility Incorporated's Career and Educational Pathways program provides jobs and training for people with criminal backgrounds making the transition from jail to the community. Find information and referral forms.

DHS criminal expungements information

The Minnesota Department of Human Services' Basics on Criminal Expungements provides information on how to seal criminal records. Expungement information (PDF).

Office of Justice Programs (Minnesota)

The Office of Justice Programs provides information on how to help crime victims. Information includes victim rights, victim advocates and financial assistance. Visit the program. 

Fresh Start program

Resource's Fresh Start program provides comprehensive education and employment services for young adult ex-offenders. Fresh Start brochure (PDF)

Legal Rights Center

The Legal Rights Center provides free criminal defense and restorative justice services to low-income people who reside in Hennepin County.

SOAR Program

The SOAR Program works with youth between the ages of 18 to 24, who have had run-ins with the law and are seeking educational opportunities.  SOAR offers grant and scholarship opportunities to youth to help them get their GEDs and additional training. Must live in zip codes listed in the attached flyer. SOAR is a program of OIC of America. Learn more about SOAR (PDF).

Deaf and hard of hearing traffic card

Traffic card can help people who are deaf communicate with law enforcement officials. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has tool to help improve communications between people who are deaf and law enforcement. The two-way communication card provides guidance to officers and can help facilitate the interaction. The card was designed with significant input from Minnesotans who are deaf and hard of hearing, who identified symbols that would be most helpful to them in communicating. Deaf and hard of hearing traffic card (PDF)

Volunteer Lawyers Network

Volunteer Lawyers Network uses the power of volunteers to protect and enforce the legal rights of low-income Minnesotans.

Early intervention and youth resources

Education and training

EMERGE

EMERGE provides a wide range of services, including employment help, job training, financial services, and housing. Information sessions are Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., located at: 1834 Emerson Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Learn about at the EMERGE website.

Free training includes:

  • GED test prep – Ongoing classes include coaching and support. Free, flexible class times. Read more in the EMERGE GED flyer (PDF).
  • Manufacturing Foundations – 8 week program beginning in early April. In partnership with Hennepin Technical College, participants can earn forklift certificate & OSHA 10 card, and learn manufacturing fundamentals. Read more in the EMERGE Manufacturing Foundations flyer (PDF).
  • CNC Welding and Machining, a 7-10 month program. Participants will earn 16-18 college credits, occupational certificates and on-going coaching and support.

Emerge FastTrac: 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. Learn more about Emerge training programs.

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)

University of St. Thomas, Dougherty Family College 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 new two-year associate degree program from the University of St. Thomas (UST). The Dougherty Family College, a new college of the UST, is opening in the fall of 2017 on the downtown Minneapolis campus.

  • The goal is to help students earn an Associate of Arts degree with little debt.
  • Each student will be considered for scholarships and grants from the university, donors and corporate sponsors.
  • Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or if ineligible, complete the Minnesota Dream Act Application.
  • Some applicants may pay as little as $1,000 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, FastTRAC, Career Pathways, citizenship classes, Child Development Associate (CDA) and employment skills preparation. Minneapolis Education 2015-2016 program brochure (PDF)

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.

Basic highway laborer training 

Avivo, along with HIRED, have been awarded a grant through MNDOT-DEED to provide recruitment and case management services for basic highway construction laborer training (starting mid-April), support services and job search resources for women and minorities (18+), to increase their opportunities for employment in the highway construction industry. There are many pre-requirements, however the training is free and beginning wages are $16 - $26 an hour.

Interested and eligible applicants can complete the 2018 application and email it to Dawn.Trimarco@HIRED.org. For other questions, contact Dan Dillon at dan.dillon@avivomn.org.

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.

Emerge FastTrac: information technology essentials, machining training, janitorial training, property maintenance technician, welding, certified nursing assistant, commercial driver's license (CDL) Learn more about Emerge training programs.

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. 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.

People Serving People offers free short-term training programs, including a free 13-week culinary training program and a three-week banking training program.

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

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

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)

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 program is 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.

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.

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

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 Diamond, MEC/2 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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