During the first meeting with participants, job counselors must ensure that an overview of employment and training services is provided that:

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 256J.515

  • Applicant: means a person who has submitted to a county agency an application and whose application has not been acted upon, denied, or voluntarily withdrawn. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08
  • Family: includes :

    (1) the following individuals who live together: a minor child or a group of minor children related to each other as siblings, half siblings, stepsiblings, or adoptive siblings, together with their natural, adoptive parents, stepparents, or caregiver as defined in subdivision 11; and

    (2) a pregnant woman with no other children. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08

  • Family violence: means the following, if committed against a family or household member by a family or household member:

    (1) physical harm, bodily injury, or assault;

    (2) the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault; or

    (3) terroristic threats, within the meaning of section 609. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08

  • Family violence waiver: means a waiver of the 60-month time limit for victims of family violence who meet the criteria in section 256J. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08
  • MFIP: means the assistance program authorized in this chapter. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08
  • Sanction: means the reduction of a family's assistance payment by a specified percentage of the MFIP standard of need because: a nonexempt participant fails to comply with the requirements of sections 256J. See Minnesota Statutes 256J.08

(1) stresses the necessity and opportunity of immediate employment;

(2) outlines the job search resources offered;

(3) outlines education or training opportunities available;

(4) describes the range of work activities, including activities under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, paragraph (a), that are allowable under MFIP to meet the individual needs of participants;

(5) explains the requirements to comply with an employment plan;

(6) explains the consequences for failing to comply;

(7) explains the services that are available to support job search and work and education;

(8) provides referral information about shelters and programs for victims of family violence and the time limit exemption for family violence victims; and

(9) explains the probationary employment periods new employees may serve after being hired and any assistance with job retention services that may be available.

Failure to attend the overview of employment and training services without good cause results in the imposition of a sanction under section 256J.46.

An applicant who requests and qualifies for a family violence waiver is exempt from attending a group overview. Information usually presented in an overview must be covered during the development of an employment plan under section 256J.521, subdivision 3.