S.F. No. 1435 establishes the Minnesota pathways to prosperity pilot project.
Section 1, subdivision 1, authorizes the Commissioners of Human Services, Health, Education, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), and Management and Budget (hereinafter "executive branch team") to develop and implement the pilot project. The pilot project will be in two counties, chosen by the Commissioner of Human Services, and is for three years, from July 1, 2017, to July 30, 2020.
Subdivision 2 specifies the design and goals of the pilot, which is to reduce the historical separation between the state funds and systems affecting families who are receiving public assistance. The pilot shall eliminate, where possible, funding restrictions to allow a more comprehensive approach to the needs of families.
Subdivision 3 specifies the program participants, who are individuals 26 years of age or younger with a minimum of one child, voluntarily agree to participate in the pilot, eligible for or receiving public benefits, and enrolled in an education program that is focused on obtaining a career that will likely result in a livable wage.
Subdivision 4 requires MHFA to allocate 100 housing vouchers to pilot the program sites, if they are available. If the vouchers are not available, the state will appropriate funds so the pilot program sites are provided with 100 vouchers for the program.
Subdivision 5 requires the counties to work with a third-party evaluator to establish a random sample to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot. The final report is due January 1, 2021.
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