Caledonia Argus

Agencies help people get jobs, and off assistance

Posted: 9/10/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

With the state of Minnesotaís adoption of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) five years ago, a 60-month limit was placed on how long an individual can receive financial assistance from the state. MFIP was implemented in July 1997, which means those receiving assistance at that time would now be ineligible for further assistance.

One concern was that those who hadnít found employment or become economically self-sufficient within the 60-month timeframe would have no means whatsoever to support themselves and their families. However, there are no individuals in Houston County in danger of losing their benefits at this point in time. That is, all individuals receiving MFIP in July of 1997 have either found gainful employment and no longer require MFIP assistance, or are exempt from the 60-month limit due to disability.

Bonnie Goetzinger, financial assistance supervisor with Houston County Social Services, credits safeguards inherent in MFIP for the lack of individuals in danger of losing financial assistance.

Each individual who goes on MFIP assistance is required to take an initial two-hour orientation that details the program. Individuals receive an employment plan that outlines steps necessary to becoming self-sufficient. With MFIP, there is incentive to become employed, because employed adults are allowed to keep a portion of their cash assistance allotment, insuring that families are financially better off than if they remained unemployed.

In Houston County, MFIP recipients receive employment advice from the countyís Social Services personnel.

ìThe employees I have do a very good job administering the program,î said Goetzinger. ìI am very fortunate to have the employees I have working in my unit.î

From Social Services, individuals are directed to two employment services in the county, Workforce Development and Connect to Work. It is these two services that have been pivotal in helping individuals find employment before their 60-month aid runs out.

Workforce Development

Workforce Development (WD), located in Caledonia at 110 E. Grove St., is a private, non-profit organization that provides job search assistance, career planning, and workforce skills updating to individuals in search of employment. The agency has been a boon for Houston County Human Services, which contracts Workforce Development to provide career-search assistance to MFIP recipients.

Though WD offers its services to the general public, much of their clientele is referred to them by the county. When an individual enters WD, all the necessary tools for job searching are made available, and career counselors assist the individual with the process.

ìWe find out what people like and what they donít like, what they want, and what kind of work theyíre looking for,î said Tami Sheff, a career counselor at WD. ìWe gather basic information from people that come, and we treat everyone on an individual basis and not like a bunch of cattle.î

The range of services offered is myriad. Clients can access job banks via the internet, get tips on putting together a resume, learn interviewing skills, and acquire basic computer skills like keyboarding. The agency also offers General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes to individuals wishing to continue their education, as well as an English as Second Language computer program for those needing improvement with their English skills.

WD has seen many of their clients enter the workforce, and many more are in the process of completing that process now.

ìThere have been a lot of success stories,î Sheff noted. One such story, she noted, involved a woman who had finished school, was living with a family member, and was receiving public assistance. After going to WD and taking advantage of the services offered, she soon found employment, and is now earning $12 an hour.

Similiar stories abound, and the WD staff encourages anyone in need of job search assistance to explore the many services WD has to offer.

ìThereís lots of people here on public assistance, but this (WD) isnít only for people on public assistance,î Sheff said. ìAnyone is welcome to come in.î

Connect To Work

Connect To Work (CTW) is a program that provides career assistance services to adults with developmental disabilities. It is sub-contracted by Houston County, which refers CTW to people who have been on MFIP assistance over 30 months, the halfway point for the 5-year limit on aid.

ìWe work with people with barriers, and we help them to work through their barriers,î said CTW program director Chalsea Wenthold. ìWe might, for instance, set someone up with a GED program, teach them resume skills, or help pay for something like driverís education classes.î

After helping each client to overcome developmental barriers, CTW then assists with the job search process. This often includes helping the client peruse job databases, working with them on interviewing skills, and driving them to interviews.

Once a client becomes employed, the relationship with the program doesnít end. For six months after being hired, the individual will maintain contact with the program, and the CTW staff will assist with any job-related difficulties the individual might be experiencing. For example, if the clientís car breaks down and transit to work becomes difficult, CTW will provide a ride. If the client has trouble procuring a uniform for work, or is having difficulties with co-workers, CTW will step in and offer assistance to the client.

The program has been largely successful. Eighteen individuals in Houston County have gone through CTW so far and, of those 18, six have gone off MFIP assistance altogether. This figure is substantial, considering that, of the 12 who havenít gone off assistance, two clients are exempt from MFIP limits, two are applying for disability exemption, two are self-employed and working to find full-time employment, and two are employed at least part-time and looking to find more permanent employment.

Wenthold has been pleased with the results:

ìSome of our biggest successes are just helping people work through their barriers,î she said. ìHelping them find a day care service theyíre comfortable with, getting them out of an abusive relationship, then helping them find a job.î

Top of Page