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Minnesota Family Investment Program Minnesota House Research Department Page 23 In two-parent MFIP families, each parent must choose the same employment and training services provider, unless a parent has an identified special need that is not available through the provider being used by the other parent. Employment and Training Services Process for MFIP Participants MFIP participants must participate in MFIP employment and training activities or face the possibility of a sanction (see page 26). The county’s employment and training service provider (whose staff are generally called “job counselors”) first provides an overview of the employment and training component of MFIP. The job counselor then conducts an assessment of an MFIP participant’s ability to obtain and retain employment. If the job counselor’s opinion is the person is likely to be able to obtain unsubsidized employment, the person is required to conduct up to three months of job search, at 30 hours per week,44 and accept any offer of suitable employment.45 Employment plan activities and hourly requirements may be adjusted, as necessary, to accommodate the personal and family circumstances of participants. Employment plans must be reviewed every three months. Special Requirements for Caregivers under Age 20 Individual Assessment Required The employment and training requirements are different if the MFIP caregiver is a custodial parent under age 20. The county must document the teen caregiver’s educational level. If the teen has not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, the county must also assess the teen’s educational progress and needs, unless the caregiver is exempt from attending school or has chosen to have an employment plan. The purpose of this individual assessment is to identify an appropriate educational option for the teen. If the teen caregiver is a minor, the county social services agency conducts this assessment. If the teen caregiver is 18 or 19 and chooses to have an employment plan with an education option, the job counselor conducts this assessment (unless the county opts to have the county social services agency conduct this assessment for these older teens). Education Is Teen’s First Option If the individual assessment identifies an appropriate educational option for the teen, the teen caregiver’s employment plan must require the teen to complete the educational option as the teen’s first goal. The MFIP law requires an MFIP caregiver who is a custodial parent under age 20 and who has not yet obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent to attend high school or another equivalent training program. If this is the case, the 60-month MFIP limit stops while the teen

44 In a two-parent family, the job search requirement is 30 hours per week for each parent. 45 MFIP defines “suitable employment” as work that is within the person’s physical and mental abilities, pays at least minimum wage, meets applicable health and safety standards, and complies with antidiscrimination laws.