Using SNAP E&T to Support job-Driven Training Programs Kaila Wilson, SNAP Office of Employment & Training, FNS NCWE Conference- Keeping the Promises of Workforce Education, October 12, 2016

Thinking about Programs that Serve Low-Skilled and Low-Income People Differently

Putting it in context: Why skills matter

Today’s Jobs Require a Higher Level of Skills By 2020, two-thirds of all jobs will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school At the current rate of production, The U.S. will fall short by 5 million workers with postsecondary education by 2020 Source: Job Growth and Education Requirements Through 2020, Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

Skills of SNAP Participants 40 percent of SNAP participants are not high school graduates More likely to participate longer-term in SNAP than their higher-educated peers Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 and U.S. Census Bureau Analysis of Survey of Income and Program Participation Data, 2004 Long-term = 37 months out of last 48 months

Job Change in Recession and Recovery Source: America’s Divided Recovery: College Haves and Have-Nots, Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

Addressing the Skills Gap

Lack of skilled workforce impacting employers

Connecting Skills and SNAP E&T

SNAP E&T as Part of the Skilled Workforce Solution We have two problems we should never have at the same time: People who are struggling to find decent, stable employment; and Employers who are struggling to find workers with the right skills SNAP E&T can play an important role in addressing both of these needs By supporting skills training programs that lead to industry recognized certificates and credentials and are linked to employment, we can move SNAP participants toward economic self-sufficiency and also help meet the skilled workforce needs of employers

SNAP E&T a Priority from the High priority for Secretary Vilsack Focused on moving people off of SNAP the right way Understands the power of a decent job to improve people’s lives Equally high priority for Under Secretary Concannon Focused on expanding the core SNAP E&T program Sees an opportunity for states to make full use of their 100 percent funds, increase use of 50-50 funds Making calls to States, talking about E&T in speeches, sending letters— sending the clearest, strongest message possible about the interest in and importance of this program to the agency National and Regional Offices working together to implement this vision

Where we started…

Where we’re going…

Full Assessments and Screenings Component Offerings Matched to Needs and Skills of Participants Enhanced by Collaboration Supports Flexibility Wide Variety of Service and Supports “If you set out to design a job training program for low-skilled, low-income workers, it would look like SNAP E&T” Lends itself to career pathways, including supportive services Bridge between programs and across institutions Flexible services based on the needs of participants

SNAP E&T 101

Purpose of the E&T Program To assist members of SNAP households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act

What is SNAP E&T? Right now, USDA provides ~$300 million annually to states to operate SNAP Employment and Training programs All states are required to operate E&T programs and must submit an annual E&T plan In FY 2015, SNAP E&T served about 1 million participants (up from about 650,000 in FY 2014) States have considerable flexibility in designing E&T programs that meet the needs of participants and employers

Who is Eligible for SNAP E&T? Are able to work upon program completion. Do not receive TANF cash assistance; and Are receiving SNAP in the month they participate in a component--except for job retention; SNAP recipients who: SNAP and SNAP E&T do not have participation time limits States can operate mandatory or voluntary programs

Extremely Flexible in Design & Services Workfare Work Experience Case Management, Support Services Job Search Job Search Training Job Retention Education (e.g. Adult Basic Education, ESL, Vocational Training) Self Employment SNAP E&T can support an extremely wide array of activities, including: Employment and training services (“components”)—job search, job search training, work readiness, ABE, ESL, GED®, occupational or technical training, apprenticeships or pre- apprenticeships, WIOA, postsecondary education, etc. Administrative activities—case management, career navigators, success coaches, job developers, etc. Support services (“participant reimbursements”)—must include transportation and dependent care assistance if necessary, may include books, tools, uniforms, licensing fees, dues, eye glasses, etc.

Supportive Services Reasonably necessary and directly related to participation in E&T activities. Examples: Transportation Child care Books and supplies Equipment and supplies needed for training Uniforms Licensing fees SNAP E&T participants must be provided with participant reimbursements (i.e. supportive services)

Unique Funding Opportunities Federal SNAP E&T funding 100% funds ($90M) Pledge (ABAWD) funds ($20M) 50-50 funds (uncapped) Administrative reimbursement Participant reimbursement In a time of limited resources, E&T can bring new capacity to the system States are currently leaving money on the table Rare opportunity to leverage existing investments

50-50 Reimbursement Funds Where the real potential of the program is Covers both administrative costs and participant costs Extremely flexible funding Covers wide array of allowable costs Can be aligned with other funding streams to fill in “gaps” Right now, this is largely an untapped resource 50-50 Reimbursement Funds

Show Me the Money State, county, or city funds Donations from private firms or non-profits Foundation funds Social venture funds (e.g. Goodwill store revenues) *Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) State Need Grants State Worker Retraining Dollars State Opportunity Grants Tuition set-aside resources Other state training funds (ex-offender, homeless, non-custodial parents)

Third-Party Partnerships

State SNAP Agency and Provider Partnership Sometimes also referred to as third-party “match” programs or third-party reimbursement programs E&T services are provided by third parties, such as community colleges and community based organizations Partners pay for services and get reimbursed 50% through Federal funding State contracts with provider for E&T services Provider uses non-federal funds, submits claim for reimbursement through the State FNS reimburses State for 50% of allowable expenses States passes reimbursement back to partner

SNAP E&T and Community Colleges Community colleges are: An integral part of the job-driven training system, often with existing connections to career pathway program, adult basic education, apprenticeships, and integrated learning models A point of entry for low-skilled job seekers An important link to employers Affordable and accessible Ideal community college partners: Can expand existing capacity to serve new students or provide additional services Have administrative capacity to operate an E&T program Have access to sources of non-federal funds Offer additional resources to mitigate barriers and support participation (can be by partnering with CBOs) Track outcomes and continuously evaluates and improves programs Use of E&T funds for community colleges: E&T funds can pay for administrative costs, tuition, books and fees, equipment and supplies, transportation, child care, other supports deemed “reasonable and necessary” E&T funds can help SNAP recipients afford the transition into college until traditional financial aid is available States can use 100% grant funds to purchase training slots for SNAP recipients (can create whole classes) Colleges can use non-federal funds to pay for allowable costs and receive a 50% reimbursement

Co-Enrollment Non-Duplication of Services Wrap-Around Support Provider Education & Training Provider

Challenges Benefits Pros and Cons Tracking non-federal funding sources Maximize dollars already being spent to serve SNAP recipients Expand the types of services available without added State expenditures Allow CBOs and colleges to expand capacity and serve more individuals Create a new funding stream to pay for much needed participant supports Help organizations administer program Ideally, begins to align programs and systems Increase employment and earning for SNAP recipients Challenges Must establish in advance Must work through State (or county) SNAP agency Can be administratively complex Must verify SNAP eligibility Anticipating service levels throughout the year Tracking non-federal funding sources Financing can be difficult, especially at start-up Tracking non-federal funding sources Verifying SNAP eligibility Complex invoicing process Anticipating service levels throughout the year Annual budgeting process Pros State SNAP agency conserves funds and resources while offering new or additional E&T services Partners who are already serving eligible population are able to expand services or the number of clients served Cons Not every organization has the capacity to be an E&T partner. Smaller organizations may have a hard time tracking and meeting the reporting requirements for a Federal grant. Important questions to ask: What services does the provider offer? Are the services appropriate E&T activities? What is the capacity of the third-party provider? Who will have what responsibility? Responsibilities of provider Secure allowable source of non-Federal funds Place, monitor, and support participants Track costs and comply with Federal rules Maintain appropriate documentation for expenses Maintain sufficient funds to support the program in the absence of Federal reimbursement

Resources & Tools

First-ever large-scale technical assistance project to support growth in SNAP E&T Focused on job-driven programs Funded by FNS, led by SJI Targeted Technical Assistance 10 States: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee Materials/Resources Monthly newsletter about SNAP E&T “Workbook” to help States work through steps to develop and operationalize SNAP E&T program 10 Policy briefs on best practices in SNAP E&T Success stories Webinars

Things You Can Do Visit the FNS website http://www.fns.usda.gov/ET-policy- guidance Read our SNAP E&T Toolkit http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files /ET_Toolkit_2013.pdf Visit the recently launched SNAP to Skills website https://snaptoskills.fns.usda.gov/ : Read our new policy briefs on why now is the time for States to build their SNAP E&T programs and SNAP E&T and ABAWDs Sign up to receive our new SNAP E&T newsletter Checkout what is happening in States and read successful stories about SNAP E&T participants around the country

People You Can Talk To Christine Ruggieri (NERO) Mary.Ruggieri@fns.usda.gov Derrick Dolphin (MARO) derrick.dolphin@fns.usda.gov Nick Espinosa (SERO) Nick.Espinosa@fns.usda.gov Ray Prendergast (MWRO) raymond.prendergast@fns.usda.gov Jason Turner (SWRO) Jason.M.Turner@fns.usda.gov Karla Maraccini (MPRO) karla.maraccini@fns.usda.gov Brian Solomon (WRO) Brian.Solomon@fns.usda.gov

Kaila Wilson SNAP Office of Employment and Training 703-305-2945 Kaila.wilson@fns.usda.gov My Contact Information