HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT: MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM:

The Minnesota Family Investment Program [MFIP], Minnesota’s welfare reform program, began in January 1998. It helps families work their way out of poverty by expecting, supporting and rewarding work. MFIP, which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children entitlement program combines cash assistance, food support, and employment services to eligible families with children.

In 1989, the Human Services Department obtained approval from the United States Congress to test MFIP in a five year field trial. Details, procedures and approval from the Minnesota Legislature delayed the start of field trials in seven counties until April 1994. Those seven counties included the metropolitan counties of Hennepin, Anoka and Dakota and the rural counties of Sherburne, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Todd. Ramsey County was added in July 1996. An outside firm, Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation of New York, evaluated MFIP’s effectiveness and issued reports in 1995, 1997, and 2000. Those reports showed MFIP was effective in reaching its goals, and thus, on July 1, 1998, the pilot phase of the program ended and MFIP was established statewide.

Eligible families must be citizens or qualified noncitizens, have income and assets below limits set by the legislature, and include at least one minor child or pregnant woman and the child's parent or stepparents. Recipients are expected to meet hourly work requirements. The program provides supports to make work possible (including child care assistance) and imposes sanctions for noncompliance. It is funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] and state appropriations. The legislature sets benefits levels, which include cash and food assistance portions. With some exceptions, the program is provided for no more than 60 months.

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The subject files include eligibility and case management manuals, local intervention grants for self-sufficiency, newsletters and clippings, implementation memos, research materials, and documents detailing the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation and United States General Accounting Office’s role in the program.

The publications and reports include print and near-print items of or about the program, including federal implementation applications, reports to the state legislature, progress reports, and the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation's periodic evaluation reports. The legislative files include proposed state legislation related to MFIP, correspondence, fiscal notes, and other related items.

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The records are divided into three sections: alphabetical subject files (1987-2004); chronological publications and reports (1988-2008); and legislative files (1985-2009).

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Family Investment Program. Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession numbers: 2006-53; 2019-29; 2023-22

Processing Information:

Processed by: Rich Arpi, April 2006; Perry Schussler and Charles Rodgers, January 2019 and January 2023

Catalog ID number: 990062679770104294

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Alphabetical.

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Arranged in chronological order.

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Arranged chronologically. Includes files such as proposed state legislation related to MFIP, correspondence, fiscal notes, and other related items.

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Family services -- Minnesota.

Human services -- Minnesota.

Poor families -- Minnesota.

Public welfare -- Minnesota.

Welfare recipients -- Employment -- Minnesota.

Welfare recipients -- Training of -- Minnesota.

Organizations:

Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation.

Minnesota. Department of Human Services.

United States. General Accounting Office.

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