Employment services focus on assisting clients who are entering, transitioning, dislocated, underemployed, or looking to retain employment identify their employment goals and create a plan to achieve them. Employment services may include, but will not be limited to: career counseling, job readiness training, resume building, job referral, supported or subsidized work placements, internships, and job retention services.

The Work Experience (WEX) Program is a 720-hour on-the-job work experience training program structured to promote self-sufficiency through the development of appropriate work habits and job skills.

Participants who demonstrate that they are work ready and who are hired into career oriented, long-term, stable employment may arrange to have the first 720 hours of their new employment subsidized. These subsidies are paid to the employer, not the employee. A contract with the employer is required that specifies the terms of agreement for the employer and Aanjibimaadizing.

Aanjibimaadizing has Community Service Crews in all reservation districts that provide lawn mowing, yard maintenance, limited outdoor home maintenance and walkway snow removal for all Elders living in one of the Reservation Districts. These crews support work readiness skills for clients.

The Program may offer a community service work option for clients that have community service requirements. This option operates with WEX workers and is supervised by the Community Service Leader.

A displaced worker is defined as an eligible worker who has been permanently laid off, or has received a notice of layoff or termination from employment due to the firm’s failure or plant closure. Displaced workers are eligible for additional employment and education services, including retraining for new or different employment and biannual stipend if eligible.

A variety of educational and training services will be made available to participants. These services will include, but will not be limited to, remedial education, instructional workshops, tutoring, skill enhancement, occupational training and/or certification, and higher education. Training will be focused on client needs identified in their Employment Development Plan (EDP) and individualized for each client. Training completion incentives may be available as well as support services (hotel, transportation, special equipment, etc.) if needed.

Clients that are participating in ABE, WEX, SNAP, or Educational Trainings are required to complete Employment Entry Assessments that assist with developing employment goals.

MLBO ABE Consortium services are offered through Aanjibimaadizing. Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a state-wide system that serves adults who are working towards a high school credential, improving literacy, math or basic skills, and/or preparing for post-secondary education or employment.

Aanjibimaadizing can assist with obtaining a driver’s license and navigating the reinstatement process.

Aanjibimaadizing regularly provides work and family related trainings and tutoring. These include courses such as, GED Preparation, Driver’s License Exams, Budgeting, Parenting, Food Handling, Communications, and CPR/First Aid. Job training classes such Automotive Technician, PCA, and CNA Classes are offered annually. Other area training opportunities are promoted as well. Go to https://aanji.org/homepage/training-development for more information on current classes.

If eligible, Aanjibimaadizing may provide a limited amount of assistance with educational expenses including tuition, books, tools and fees.

The Program recognizes the vital role of having healthy participants. Aanjibimaadizing defines health as mental, physical, spiritual, and social-emotional. Financial well-being and self-sufficiency are critical to healthy families. Aanjibimaadizing will provide family centered educational opportunities supporting this. Opportunities for families may include, but are not limited to:

• Cultural events
• Parenting classes
• Family events with an educational component
• Workshops
• Training

A limited amount of funding will be available for small business development. The amount awarded is dependent on the business plan created and the amount of supportive service dollars the client has used, with a maximum amount of $1000.00.

Adult Support Service payments are single payments to vendors to assist participants in overcoming specific, immediate and essential family stabilization or employment related barriers. 477 Clients can apply for Support Services for GED, Training, Education, New Employment (full or part-time), and Auto Assistance (insurance/repairs). The expenses MUST be directly related to education or employment. Any support service that assists a client in obtaining or retaining employment may be considered. There are limits on the amount of support services that can be received.

• Documents needed for employment, such as a birth certificate or social security card
• Interview Clothing
• New employment support such as clothes, gas or food
• Specialized Clothing for Employment
• Car repairs, tires or insurance
• Some mileage reimbursement, gas assistance, or mass transit costs
• Driver’s license testing and reinstatement fees
• Training costs
• Certificate fees, licensures and dues
• Incidental Work or Education Expenses
• Moving and relocation costs

The program may match a minimum of $500 and a maximum up to $1500 of client savings for a vehicle down payment or purchase.

Childcare assistance is available for families who are employed or enrolled in educational programs who meet income requirements.

Aanjibimaadizing can assist with required training (Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Preventing Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) and AHT) for child care providers in the area.

Tribal TANF Cash Assistance makes monthly cash payments to families with minor children (must have children under the age of 18 living in home) based on family size and composition. These benefits require participating adults to agree and to follow a case plan designed to move them away from assistance and to self-reliance. Cash Assistance has a 60-month lifetime limit. TANF Emergency Assistance may also be available for qualified families. TANF has additional eligibility requirements.

SNAP is a county-run, federal program that helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food that’s needed for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. The program provides support to help stretch your household food budget.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is the educational component of SNAP. It helps people lead healthier lives. SNAP-Ed teaches low-income families or individuals — particularly those using or eligible for SNAP — about good nutrition and how to make their food dollars stretch further and be physically active.

Aanjibimaadizing offers facilitated services to help connect clients to other support services within the community. Case Managers may refer clients to Facilitators to assist them in meeting their goals to obtain and retain employment. Often these services support client needs that are social, health, and mental health related. Facilitated services offers a more targeted support for employment, training and self-sufficiency.

Participants who possess multiple barriers, are participating or are eligible to participate in the TANF program, exhibit substance abuse tendencies, have mental health issues, or who have exhibited a long-term dependency on public assistance may be determined to be in need of specialized intensive services.

Persons including individuals, unaccompanied youth, or families with children who lack a permanent place to live continuously for a year or more or at least four times in the past three years may be eligible for homeless prevention support.

This is supportive – but temporary – housing meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, education, and training. Zakab Biinjina is safe and sober housing – a critical component for clients in transition. Zakab does not provide immediate, emergency housing. Clients must be successfully working on their plans for 3 months before receiving housing.

Aanjibimaadizing offers shelter and utility assistance when funding programs become available.

A limited amount of assistance may be available for certain emergencies, such as those that are disaster (weather) related.

Non-recurring short-term benefits are available in a fiscal year for participants experiencing an extreme financial hardship