Delivery of Eligibility Services to Hennepin County Youth: Access and Maintenance

Abstract

This project was initiated by leadership of the Youth Eligibility Team within the Human Services and Public Health Department at Hennepin County, Minnesota. This team has responsibility for serving homeless and highlymobile youth ages 16-19 and pregnant youth and parenting youth up to age 21 who are seeing public assistance in the form of cash assistance, food support (SNAP), health care, specialized housing services and pregnancy or child care assistance. This project team was asked to research, evaluate, and provide recommendations on best practices in three areas: creating awareness of assistance programs amongst eligible youth; improving access to public assistance programs amongst eligible youth; and improving the ability of youth to maintain eligibility over time.