Services Aanjibimaadizing Offers
Employment Services
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.
Adult Work Experience (WEX) Program
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.
Adult Partial Subsidy Program
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.
Community Services to Elders
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.
Community Service Work Program
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.
Healthy Families Initiative
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
Education and Training
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.
Employment Entry Assessments
Clients that are participating in WEX, SNAP, or Educational Trainings are required to complete Employment Entry Assessments that assist with developing employment goals.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
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.
Driver’s License Assistance
Aanjibimaadizing can assist with obtaining a driver’s license and navigating the reinstatement process.
Career Training and Development
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.
Post-Secondary Education Support
If eligible, Aanjibimaadizing may provide a limited amount of assistance with educational expenses including tuition, books, tools and fees.
Displaced Workers
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.
Small Business Development
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 Services
Adult Support Service payments are single payments to vendors to assist participants in overcoming specific, immediate and essential family stabilization or employment related barriers. The expenses must be directly related to education or employment.
Vehicle Savings Match
The program may match a minimum of $500 and a maximum up to $1500 of client savings for a vehicle down payment or purchase.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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.
Ojibwe Culture & Language
It is the purpose of Aanjibimaadizing to prepare the members of the MLBO community to contribute to the Mille Lacs Band. While a primary part of this contribution is in the form of employment that helps enrolled members thrive financially, it is of equal importance that MLBO membership reflects the unique history and culture of its people to support their quality of life holistically.
Child Care Services
Childcare assistance is available for families who are employed or enrolled in educational programs who meet income requirements.
Career Training and Development
Aanjibimaadizing regularly provides basic work and family related trainings and tutoring. These include such issues as, GED Preparation, Driver’s License Exams, Budgeting, Parenting, Food Handling, Communications, Conflict Management, and CPR/First Aid
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Aanjibimaadizing has entered into an agreement with Milaca Community Education to provide oversight for staff to become volunteer Adult Basic Education (ABE) tutors. Adult Basic Education will assist clients in increasing their reading and math skills.
Ge-niigaanizijig Youth & Teen Activities
Aanjibimaadizing combined with Niigaan youth programming January 1, 2020. Ge-Niigaanizijig works to develop skills in the 4 pillars of youth programming Ojibwe Culture, Community, Career, and Education. Regularly scheduled activities inspire and motivate our youth to embrace a traditions-based lifestyle free of chemicals, anti-social behavior, and dependency. Youth Mentors provide programming in all Districts except Urban. These activities are offered to all eligible reservation service area youth ages kindergarten through twenty (20).
Youth Career/Work Exploration Program
Eligible youth, ages sixteen (16) through twenty (20) and whose family’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, may participate in the Youth Career and Work Exploration Program. Youth are given an incentive for actual hours worked. To be eligible you must be in school, making satisfactory attendance and grades. The type of work and the number of hours worked per week depend on the needs of the worksite supervisor.
Adult Support Services
Adult Support Service payments are single payments to vendors to assist participants in overcoming specific, immediate and essential family stabilization or employment related barriers. The expenses must be directly related to education or employment.
Youth Support Services
Eligible youth ages kindergarten through twenty (20) who live in households that are below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline and who are enrolled in school may receive supportive services for items that help them further their education or employability.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Tribal TANF Cash Assistance makes monthly cash payments to families with minor children 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.
Facilitated Services
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. (Formerly Wraparound)