Employment counselors should encourage and share with all participants the opportunity to pursue training and education.

A brochure is available to share with participants about education and training opportunities in MFIP, see Education and Training in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (DHS-3366) (PDF).

Do not deny access to education for participants who qualify for the education program they want to pursue.

Include education activities in the employment plan:

· Even when they do not contribute to the Work Participation Rate.

· When participants meet the eligibility criteria of the educational program they want to enter.

Participants need to make satisfactory progress in their education or training in order to maintain education as part of the employment plan:

· The educational institution determines satisfactory progress.

· If it is clear the participant will not make satisfactory progress as defined by the educational institution, amend the plan to have alternative activities.

· This change in the employment plan will not necessarily occur the 1st time a participant falls below the school’s standards. For instance, a school may put a student on academic probation and allow a student to continue attending. The employment plan should continue with the education activity until the school decides the student is dis-enrolled.

If the education and training activities do not meet minimum hourly requirements, work with the participant to include additional activities in the employment plan.

The education and training activities in MFIP include:

For adults

· English Language Learning or Functional Work Literacy, see 13.6 (English Language Learning).

· Adult Basic Education, GED preparation and Adult High School Diploma, see 13.9 (Adult Education).

· Job skills training directly related to employment, see 13.12 (Job Skills Training Related to Employment).

· Post-Secondary Training and Education, see 13.15 (Post-Secondary Training and Education).

For teen parents:

· High school attendance and GED preparation are allowed activities. See 9.6 (Education Requirements).

For information about how education and training can increase career opportunities:

See the Pathways to Prosperity (PDF) visual guide from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.