The purpose of this employee interchange is to provide the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) with assistance to implement a federally funded pilot through the Department of Justice. The pilot focuses on improving outcomes for high risk offenders as they are released from Minnesota Correctional Facilities (MCF). In the pilot, the staff will work with the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a process whereby application activities and the determination of eligibility for public assistance programs like cash, SNAP and health care are carried out prior to release from the facility, in collaboration with Department of Corrections and DHS staff. Pilot participants who are in need of assistance will re-enter their communities with access to basic safety net programs, so they can focus on community reintegration. The staff will also consult on potential program or policy improvements that would streamline this process and integrate programs to support outcomes.

DHS will reimburse Hennepin County for the salary and fringe benefits of the interchange employee for a one-year period in the receivable amount of $87,163.