Food Support Employment and Training Program

Purpose
This program provides food support recipients who do not receive other cash assistance with services that will result in employment and self-sufficiency. It is jointly administered by DEED and the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Customers and Services 
The program serves adults between the ages of 18 and 50 from nonpublic-assistance food support households. In return for monthly food support, participants must comply with work requirements; participation in work or work-related activities is required each month that the participant receives food support.

Services include individual assessments of work-related strengths and barriers; employment plans to help participants obtain or upgrade the skills necessary to gain viable employment; and support services for job search and work-start needs. Job training may include General Equivalency Diploma (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), high school diploma, or short-term vocational training. Services are administered statewide by counties, usually through service providers such as WorkForce Centers, community action agencies, and county employment and training providers.

Measures - Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30

Funding Source and Expenditure (in thousands)*

*Funding is provided to DEED for assistance in administering the program through an inter-agency agreement DHS. The amounts listed exclude the direct program funds that are allocated by DHS to Minnesota counties.

Statutory Authority
-- Minn. Stat., Chap. 256D.051; U.S. Code, Title 7, Chap. 51

Contact Information
Steve Erbes, Program Coordinator
Phone: 651.259.7539; TTY: 651.296.3900

This information current as of January 2010.