1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; authorizing a pilot project for Minnesota family 
1.3 	investment program families; appropriating money. 
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM AND 
1.6 	CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROJECT.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Pilot project authorized. The commissioner of human services 
1.8 	shall fund a two-year pilot project to measure the impact of children's identified mental 
1.9 	health needs, including social and emotional needs, on Minnesota family investment 
1.10 	program (MFIP) participants' ability to obtain and retain employment. The project shall 
1.11 	also measure the impact on work activity of MFIP participants' needs to address their 
1.12 	children's identified mental health needs.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Provider and agency proposals. (a) Interested MFIP providers and 
1.14 	agencies shall: 
1.15 	(1) submit proposals defining how they will identify participants whose children 
1.16 	have mental health needs that hinder the employment process; 
1.17 	(2) connect families with appropriate developmental, social, and emotional 
1.18 	screenings and services; and 
1.19 	(3) incorporate those services into the participant's employment plan.
1.20 	Each proposal under this paragraph must include an evaluation component.
1.21 	(b) Interested MFIP providers and agencies shall develop a protocol to inform MFIP 
1.22 	participants of the following: 
1.23 	(1) the availability of developmental, social, and emotional screening tools for 
1.24 	children and youth; 
2.1 	(2) the purpose of the screenings; 
2.2 	(3) how the information will be used to assist the participants in identifying and 
2.3 	addressing potential barriers to employment; and 
2.4 	(4) that their employment plan may be modified based on the screening results.
2.5 		Subd. 3.Program components. (a) MFIP providers shall obtain the participant's 
2.6 	written consent for participation in the pilot project, including consent for developmental, 
2.7 	social, and emotional screening.
2.8 	(b) MFIP providers shall coordinate with county social service agencies and health 
2.9 	plans to assist recipients in arranging referrals indicated by the screening results.
2.10 	(c) Tools used for developmental, social, and emotional screenings shall be approved 
2.11 	by the commissioner of human services.
2.12 		Subd. 4.Program evaluation. The commissioner of human services shall conduct 
2.13 	an evaluation of the pilot project to determine:
2.14 	(1) the number of participants who took part in the screening;
2.15 	(2) the number of children who were screened and what screening tools were used;
2.16 	(3) the number of children who were identified in the screening who needed referral 
2.17 	or follow-up services;
2.18 	(4) the number of children who received services, what agency provided the services, 
2.19 	and what type of services were provided;
2.20 	(5) the number of employment plans that were adjusted to include the activities 
2.21 	recommended in the screenings;
2.22 	(6) the changes in work participation rates;
2.23 	(7) the changes in earned income;
2.24 	(8) the changes in sanction rates; and
2.25 	(9) the participants' report of program effectiveness.
2.26 		Subd. 5.Work activity. Participant involvement in screenings and subsequent 
2.27 	referral and follow-up services shall count as work activity under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.28 	section 256J.49, subdivision 13.

2.29 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.30 	$....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the 
2.31 	general fund to the commissioner of human services to fund the pilot project under 
2.32 	section 1.