County approves two‑year MFIP service agreement with Rural Minnesota CEP

Morrison County health and human services staff on Oct. 21 presented and the board approved a two-year biannual Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) services agreement. The agreement continues a partnership with Rural Minnesota CEP (Rural Minnesota Service, Employment & Training provider) to deliver employment-focused services for families receiving MFIP benefits.

Director Nathan Bertram and financial-assistant supervisor Amy Waldegel explained MFIP provides a combination of cash and food assistance with an employment plan that generally requires work, job search or education hours. County staff reported current caseloads through September: roughly 622 adults, 1,115 children and 718 cases year-to-date. MFIP has a 16-month lifetime limit except in specified extension categories such as employed extensions, limited work due to illness/disability, hard-to-employ and similar statuses.

Staff emphasized that the MFIP and SNAP benefits are funded by state and federal dollars and that there are no local county dollars in the program administration; county administrative funds support eligibility determination and local income-maintenance work. Commissioners asked about potential federal shutdown impacts on SNAP and MFIP; staff said SNAP benefits were expected through October but uncertainty existed for November and beyond as state and federal agencies work on contingency measures.

The board moved and approved the two-year MFIP plan and agreement to allow the director to sign and submit the document to state authorities.