2017 Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

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Workforce Solutions’ Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) provides temporary assistance to low-income families with one or more children under age 19 and to women who are pregnant. MFIP assistance includes job counseling, cash, food and child care assistance. The longest period most parents with minor children can receive cash help is a total of 60 months; most families are off assistance within two years. The program helps families by expecting, supporting and rewarding work.

To achieve effectiveness and excellence, Workforce Solutions and Ramsey County Human Services, in partnership with others, link employment services, support services, and financial assistance services into an integrated service delivery system. Approximately 6,000 Ramsey County MFIP participants are served through the network of employment service providers with locations in Saint Paul and suburban Ramsey County.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

Program year: January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017
2017 program budget: $13,830,405 

 8,456 residents served.         3,651 placed in employment.       $12.10 Average hourly wage.

Featured Client Family: Cierra and Brian

Brian and Cierra Image​Cierra was employed as a school bus driver but wanted to work year-round. Encouraged by her employment counselor, Cierra applied for employment with the Metropolitan Council and accepted a position as a Metro Transit bus driver. Brian wanted to work as an auto-mechanic. His employment counselor helped him with his resume by highlighting Brian’s experience working on cars. Working with the Placement and Retention Unit and his placement specialist, Brain got a job with a family-owned truck equipment company where Brian assists with modifications to commercial trucks (window-tinting, body graphics, GPS systems, snow plow installs, etc.). In early 2017, Brian and Cierra earned enough income to close their MFIP case and, a few months later, the couple got married. 

I’m glad we got to work with a Workforce Solutions’ counselor. Working with my employment counselor helped set goals and follow through with my career goals. The work we did on my resume helped me gain employment. My employment counselor saw me as a person, and took the time to help me figure things out about myself and my career. Today I’m married and we can provide for our kids without government assistance.
Brian