MFIP Services

HIRED offers a number of programs for clients who are also recipients of support from the Minnesota Family Investment Program, the state’s welfare-to-work initiative. Clients are referred to HIRED by their counties, and eligibility varies by county and program.

Once a referral is made, HIRED helps each MFIP client identify existing skills and interests, document past work experiences, and create a strategy for actively seeking and holding a job. Through extensive follow-up workshops, training opportunities and in-depth counseling and job search support, HIRED tailors each client’s program to his or her individual needs.

MFIP programs are supported by Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, Hennepin County, Washington County, Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Human Services using federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and state funds.

In addition to HIRED's other MFIP services, current programs include:

STEP
The Specialized Training and Experience Program (STEP) is a 10-week Ramsey County program that provides job placement services to Ramsey County MFIP participants. This program uses a variety of placement strategies to help work-ready participants find long-term employment. STEP partners with a broad range of employers to develop paid and unpaid "internships" in a range of occupations around Ramsey County. The program is designed to help MFIP participants in Ramsey County build skills, a current positive reference and adapt their job-seeking strategies to meet the changing needs of a competitive job market.

STEP is a 10-week, full-time program. Training begins with a 2-week orientation that ensures all participants have honed job-search skills adapted to the current job market. Upon successful completion of orientation, participants are assigned a business development coordinator with whom to develop a personalized program using the most appropriate placement strategies for each person's goals and background. These strategies are placement driven, including interviews with participating employers, personal goal and career planning and classroom-based training. On-the-job training through paid or unpaid "internships" use real work situations and support from the STEP staff to develop the skills needed for direct placement.

After completing the orientation, program participants are provided with transportation assistance for as long as they are in the program.

For more information about the STEP program, contact John Klem, program manager, at 651-999-5670 or by e-mail.

ARMHS
The Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services program (ARMHS) is a partnership between HIRED and the Ramsey County Mental Health Center to provide symptom management and recovery services for people with serious mental illness. The program is open to adult residents of Ramsey County. MFIP participants are eligible for enrollment in the program, but individuals do not need to be enrolled in MFIP to qualify for participation in ARMHS.

The ARMHS program provides individualized services to assist clients with mental health symptoms that inhibit independent living. For some clients, assistance with employment-related skills are an appropriate component of an overall treatment plan.

For more information about the ARMHS program, contact Gretchen Wartman, senior program manager, at 651-999-5646 or by e-mail.

Job Advance
Job Advance is a work experience program for Dakota County MFIP participants. The program, which begins with a 2-week orientation, places MFIP recipients in 10-week subsidized work experience positions with local employers. The goal of the program is to give clients work experience that will lead to a permanent position after the 12-week program has ended. For more information, e-mail John Klem.