Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
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Minnesota Family Investment Program Biennial Service Agreement for 2022-2023
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the submission of an application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the 2022-2023 Minnesota Family Investment Program Biennial Service Agreement Grant in an amount of $20,370,954.
2. Authorize the acceptance and expenditure of grant awarded funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023.
3. Authorize the County Manager to apply for and accept additional Grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.
4. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and contracts and execute amendments to agreements and contracts in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
5. Authorize the County Manager to make temporary transfers, as needed, from the County General Fund to Workforce Solutions to cover program expenses until program funds are received, with repayment to be made upon receipt of the funds.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County Workforce Solutions administers the Employment Services portion of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) through the state’s Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Employment services are provided directly by Workforce Solutions staff as well as by contracted providers. Emergency and Crisis Services are provided directly by Ramsey County’s Health & Wellness Service Team.
Minnesota Statutes Section 256J.626, subdivision 4(a}, requires counties and nation/tribes to have a Biennial Service Agreement (BSA) approved by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in order to receive TANF Block Grant Consolidated Funds (Consolidated Funds). The purpose of the BSA is to provide DHS with information about services and strategies intended to meet program measures with the goal of increasing the economic stability of low-income families. The different sections of the BSA gather information about program strengths and service delivery gaps. The BSA will give DHS a comprehensive assessment of current efforts, insight into what types of assistance is needed, and information on strategies to better serve participants in obtaining and sustaining gainful employment that will ultimately lead to greater self-sufficiency.
MFIP is a comprehensive work-focused program in which participants are encouraged and expected to work. In preparation for work, and/or retaining employment, participants are required to engage in MFIP approved work activities.
DWP is a short term (fourth month) work-focused program that helps parents quickly find work so that they do not need to go on MFIP.
The Consolidated Funds will provide funding for the following services, as further described in the BSA:
• Diversionary Work Program
• MFIP Employment Services Program
• Extension work-focused services Program, post 60-month MFIP
• Emergency and Crisis Services
• Family Stabilization Employment Services
• Support Services
• Unpaid work experience/Transitional work experience
• Career coaching and trainings
• Guided self-determination skill building and executive skill building for participants
• Reducing racial disparities efforts (Partners for Equity special projects) and increasing meaningful efforts towards authentic community engagement
• Incorporation of lifelong learning initiative and motivational interviewing
Minnesota Statutes Section 256J.626, subdivision 4(d) requires that counties or nation/tribes must allow a period of no less than 30 days for public comments on the contents of the BSA. The proposed BSA was posted on several Ramsey County website locations on September 15, 2021. No verbal or written comments were received by the deadline of October 14, 2021.
The 2022-2023 BSA is due to DHS by October 15, 2021; however, Workforce Solutions received an extension from DHS to submit the BSA upon the approval of Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. Upon DHS approval of the BSA, Workforce Solutions will receive the Consolidated Funds allocation estimated at $20,370,954 annually for 2022 and 2023. The potential exists for additional funding to be received; for example, MFIP/TANF supplemental funds, consolidated work experience funds, and MFIP/TANF funds targeted for racial disparity reduction or innovations.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Once approved, the funding will be used for all individuals residing in Ramsey County who are eligible for the DWP and MFIP to better serve and support the whole family. Ramsey County DWP and MFIP outcomes have shown persistent disparities between White participants and African American, American Indian and more recently Hispanic participants. In addition to direct services provided, Workforce Solutions has engaged with community to co-create and deploy a series of additional efforts and models to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Below are some examples:
1. Workforce Solutions has a culturally specific agency model, where services incorporate and build upon participant, family, community and cultural assets. Workforce Solutions continues to work on strengthening this model through ongoing community engagement efforts.
2. Partners for Equity efforts- Workforce Solutions contracts with three culturally specific community-based organizations to deliver comprehensive, strength-based, and culturally specific family stability services to African American, American Indian and Hispanic families receiving MFIP.
3. Cultural Consulting: Ramsey County values the communities we serve and the richness of consultation in a cultural context to better serve our families and residents in our employment and education programs. Through lending input and guidance, consultants are integral to our services and will be connected and engaged with communities experiencing racial disparities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The department consulted with the community by posting the BSA online for open comments for 30 days. No comments or input has been received.
Ramsey County continues to engage and co-create programming with communities to ensure services and resources are directed in the most meaningful ways to families. Below are some areas where community engagement currently occurs and/or will be improved:
• Building partnerships with culturally specific organizations, educational institutions and employers.
• Engaging cultural consultants in focused conversations with the community.
• Investing in staff development and co-location across programs.
• Evaluating community-based projects and getting feedback from program participants.
• Sharing program information with the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County.
• Collaborating with mental health community providers through service delivery.
• Engaging more closely with educators, employers and other service providers.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Ramsey County is estimated to receive a Consolidated Funds allocation of $20,370,954 for 2022 and 2023 annually. The allocation will be distributed between Workforce Solutions (70%) and Health & Wellness Service Team (30%) to provide the above-mentioned services. The potential exists for additional funding to be received. This grant award is included within the proposed 2022-2023 biennial budget.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments
Last Previous Action
On November 5, 2019, the Ramsey County Board approved the 2019-2020 Biennial Service Agreement (Resolution B2019-258).
On November 28, 2017, the Ramsey County Board approved the 2018-2019 Biennial Service Agreement (Resolution B2017-311).
Attachments
1. 2022-2023 MFIP Biennial Service Agreement