Rural Minnesota Cep (Rmcep)

Rmcep receives funding from sixteen county human services agencies to provide Minnesota family investment program (mfip/tanf) employment and training services within northern and west central Minnesota. The focus of the mfip program is to move public assistance recipients rapidly into the labor force. In addition rmcep recieves funding for supplementary programs including the diversionary work program (dwp) which is short term work focused services to help families move immediately to employment rather than to public assistance. Rmcep staff provide counselng, training, support and help participants to identify skills they need to develop to achieve and retain employment. Meeting the required federal performance measure is a basis for receiving performance based funding. The self support index measures those participants that are working 30 hours or more, or off mfip three years after enrollment. During the fiscal year 88% of the counties served by rmcep met or exceeded the self support index.

The state of Minnesota provides additional resources to assist dislocated workers and youth through the state dislocated worker program and the Minnesota youth program. The state dislocated worker program assists workers as a result of a layoff or a business closing. The careerforce center services are available to the participants to receive information, guidance, training or support services to re-enter the workforce. The sucess of rmcep is measured by comparing performance standards to state goals:state dislocated worker program employment rate at fourth quarter - the percentage of participants employed four quarters after exit: mn state required goal: 83.5% rmcep actual outcome: 85.6%the Minnesota youth program (myp) is designed to provide meaningful work and skills training to eligible 14 through 21 year old youth so that their future employability will be enhanced. The primary activity is work training. The performance measure for this program is that at least 80% of the youth will return to school, enter employment or enter another training program.

Rmcep provided services to eligible adults, youth and dislocated workers through the workforce innovations and opportunity act programs. Adult and dislocated work services provided information, instruction, guidance, training and support services to increase employment, job retention and earnings of participants. Youth services establishes a comprehensive youth development system that provides effective learning environments linking education and employment, leadership development, nurturing mentors and sustained support by comparing performance standards to state t goals:wioa adult employment rate at second quarter: percentage of adult participants employed two quarters after exit: mn state required goal: 82.0%. Rmcep actual outcome: 90.0%wioa dislocated worker program cedential rate - number of participants who attain a credential within one year of program exit: mn state required goal: 83.0%. Rmcep actual outcome: 94.8%youth employment/training rate fourth quater after exit - percentage of participants who are in education, training activities or employment during the fourth quarter after exit: mn state required goal: 69.0%. Rmcep actual outcome: 86.7%

Funds received by foundations and local school districts to continue efforts of career advising in the high schools to promote youth initiatives and college awareness programs. Students are encouraged to participate in the national career readiness certificate program which is a recognized credential for many local employers. Other services were provided to support partner services in the careerforce resource rooms throughout our workforce service area.