Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Eligibility and Work Services
May 21, 2015 DATE ISSUED:
FROM:
TO:
SUBJECT:
Angela Looney
MFIP Operations Coordinator – Eligibility and Work Services
Hennepin County MFIP-ES Staff
Minnesota Subsidized and Transitional Employment Demonstration (MSTED) –
Referral Process and Program Expectations
PURPOSE: The subsidized employment demonstration intends to learn whether subsidy work can increase the number of people moving from MFIP into permanent unsubsidized employment. The model is intended to serve job seekers who are unlikely to obtain sustained work on their own.
BACKGROUND: A few subsidized employment models have been evaluated with mixed results since the 1970’s. The Subsidized and Transitional Employment Demonstration
(STED) builds on these earlier studies by testing promising and innovative subsidized employment models. The Administration for Children and Families and the US department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring the evaluation. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is funding the
Minnesota STED (MSTED) program in Hennepin County, Ramsey, Dakota, and
Scott County.
STUDY DESIGN: The study is using a random assignment design to test the effectiveness of
MSTED. This means that admission into the program will be decided using a random, lottery like process. Potential participants have an equal chance of being assigned to the program group (allowed to enroll in MSTED) or the control group (not allowed to enroll in MSTED). The research team will collect data for everyone in both groups for several years.
PROCESS: Minnesota began MSTED study November 2014. Hennepin County met with
Ramsey County Work Force Solution staff that implemented the program at inception. They were instrumental in assisting Hennepin County with the development of Hennepin County MSTED process.
STAFF INVOLVED: DHS – Tria Chang
Hennepin County – Angela Looney and Tamba Gordon
Referring MFIP Agencies – DEED, Emerge, Hired, Lutheran Social Services,
Goodwill Easter Seals and Resource
MSTED Agency – Goodwill Easter Seals and Resource
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Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Eligibility and Work Services
 Send Eligibility list within 24-48 business hours of receipt from DHS
 Review all MSTED referrals for accuracy
 Ensure referred participants are on current eligibility list
 Ensure WF1 has been updated for all cases associated with MSTED
Check in bi-weekly and monthly with MFIP and MSTED agency re:
 Frequency of referrals
 Referral issues
 Data/Stat comparison prior to MDRC meeting
 Send eligible list to counselors w/in 24-48 hours of receipt
Ensure counselors :
 Explain MSTED process to prospective participants
 Contact all eligible participants on list
 Refer participants from current month eligible list and Orientation schedule for same month
 Update and include MFIP Counselor MSTED Referral Checklist in all eligible participants’ hard case file
 Update WF1 for all MSTED eligible participants
 Provide timely support services and childcare
 Review common decline reasons and develop strategies to encourage participation
 Connect with participants in control group after Orientation to ensure EP is updated
 Update hours of participation in preplacement activity (MSTED counselor will provide attendance reports)
 Contact participants on eligible list w/in 24-48 business hours of receipt
 Explain and promote the MSTED study to prospective participants
 Update and include MFIP Counselor MSTED Referral Checklist in hard case file for all eligible participants
 Review case and case notes to ensure MSTED counselor is up to date with participant activities
 Refer participants from current month eligible list and schedule Orientation for same month of referral
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 Complete MSTED referral form and WF1 updates prior to sending to coordinator
 Update WF1 timely and accurately for all MSTED cases
 Provide timely support services and childcare
 Discuss issues with referrals or decline’s with manager
 Connect with Control group participants to ensure current EP is up to date and support services are in place
 Update EP within one week of enrollment into the treatment group
 Encourage and support participants during the MSTED study
 If MSTED agency opens job skills directly related to employment or job search track hours once you receive activity log from MSTED counselor
 Review case and case notes to ensure MSTED counselor is up to date with participant activities
Provide staff with Orientation list timely
Ensure counselors:
 Relay all MSTED study information during Orientation
 Accurately complete random assignment
 Communicate with MFIP counselor as needed
 WF1 is being updated timely and appropriately
 Utilize MSTED checklist
 Follow-up with participant to remind them of Orientation date and reschedule if needed
 Offer one-on-one Orientation in special circumstances
 Thoroughly explain MSTED study in its entirety
 Ensure informed consent, contact, and background form is completed and legible
 Ensure information updated in MDRC Random Assignment website is correct
 Issue gift card to Control group participants
 Inform MFIP counselor of assignment within 24-48 business hours of result
 Schedule meeting with participant in treatment group during Orientation to begin suitable job placement
 Update WF1 accurately and timely
 Responsible for at minimum monthly contact with Treatment group participants
 Report attendance of pre-placement activity to MFIP counselor
 Case note tracking of pre-placement activities
 Find participant placement into structured work experience or wage subsidy program
 Assess participant skills before and during worksite placements
 Monitor timesheet and issue payroll checks and submit work verification to MFIP counselors
 At minimum, enter monthly case notes in WF1 to keep MFIP counselors informed of their participant’s progress
 Provide 90 days of follow up and retention support once participant exits MSTED program
Updates and/or contact for all MSTED referral actions must be completed within 24-48 business hours of information received or requested.
Email questions to:
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