Partnership Opportunity is Knocking! The North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services Employment and Training Program and ABAWDS NC Works Partnership Conference October 5, 2016

FNS E&T Historical Context Historically, most states did not provide extensive FNS E&T services. Hampered by limited workforce knowledge. Overshadowed by TANF work programs Limited by a lack of adequate funding and participant supports. States developed simple programs that could be operated at low-cost, delivered in-house and focused on basic Job Search services.

FNS E&T Historical Context One size fits all E&T programs don’t work. Focus on what is best for the individual rather than what is best for the agency. Participant supports must be provided to mitigate barriers to success. Labor market information must drive training programs. Leverage expertise from multiple sources.

Re-FOCUS ON OUR PURPOSE The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 provides opportunities for FNS participants gain employment skills Job driven Training education work experience to improve their employment prospects and reduce their reliance on FNS benefits.

PARADIGM SHIFT TO PARTNERSHIPS The Need for a Collaborative Approach

What Services Can Be Provided By FNS E&T Partners ? Workfare Work Experience Case Management, Support Services Job Search Job Search Training Job Retention Education (e.g. Adult Basic Education, Vocational Training) Self Employment

FNS E&T Programs Are FLEXIBLE FNS E&T Services can be provided by: Dept. of Social Services Staff State Labor Agency WIOA Service Providers Community & Technical Colleges Community-Based Organizations Employers

How Is FNS E&T Funded? Annual Federal funding for FNS E&T streams 50-50 funds are extremely flexible 100 Percent funds are used exclusively for Administrative purposes Annual Federal funding for FNS E&T streams Federal FNS E&T Funding 50-50 Funds Participant Reimbursements Administrative Reimbursements 100 Percent Funds

FNS E&T THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT FNS E&T County contracts with local employment and/or education provider to provide E&T services Provider uses non-federal funds to pay for allowable expenses, and submits a claim for the 50% reimbursement through the County DSS and then to State USDA-FNS reimburses State for 50% allowable expenses claim State passes 50% reimbursement for the claim to County DSS

North Carolina FNS Employment & Training(E&T)Program The North Carolina Employment and Training Program Models Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Brunswick Durham Granville Johnston   New Hanover Division of Workforce Solutions delivers E&T Services Buncombe Contracts with Goodwill Industries deliver FNS E&T Services Cherokee Program has a Part-time FNS E&T Coordinator and partners with the Community College Orange TANF/ FNS E&T Employment Social Workers deliver FNS E&T Services and partners with community based organizations and employers Pitt Program has FNS E&T Social Workers and partners with community based organizations and employers Mecklenburg Program has a Full-time FNS E&T Coordinator Contracts with Goodwill Industries, Urban League, Community Culinary School of Charlotte and Center for Community Transitions to deliver FNS E & T Services .

MECKLENBURG’S FNS E&T IMPACT Obtain Certification in Mid-skill trades HVAC Fiber Optics Microsoft Certification Banking Call Center Building Construction Highway Construction Culinary Hospitality Tourism Forklift operation

AND NOW…...

Who is an ABAWD ? An Abled-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) is defined as a FNS household member who is: Fit for employment Age 18 through 49 Included in a Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) unit that does not contain an individual under the age 18.

Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) ABAWD Background The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 also known as welfare reform, imposed a work requirement and time limit on Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recipients viewed as fit to work - ABAWDS. Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) The goal of the ABAWD provisions is to encourage FNS participants who are fit to work to become more self-sufficient through employment.

North Carolina ABAWD Waiver History 2008 – National economy collapsed and unemployment spiked: USDA waived the ABAWD regulation thus allowing ABAWDs to continue to receive FNS as they continued to look for work. 2014 – USDA announced an end to the blanket ABAWD waiver except in areas where jobs are scarce and the unemployment rate was high enough to qualify for the waiver. 2015 – House Bill # 318 prohibited further requests for extensions of the ABAWD waiver for all 100 counties. 2016 – ABAWD implementation – 23 counties effective January 1, 2016 77 counties effective July 1, 2016

North Carolina’s 36 month period ABAWD FNS TIME LIMITS North Carolina’s 36 month period January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018 An ABAWD is restricted to receiving FNS benefits for a period of (3) three months within a set 36 month period UNLESS: The individual is exempt from ABAWD OR The individual complies with ABAWD work requirements

ABAWD Work Requirements Work 20 hours weekly Volunteer at an approved public or private agency for 20 hours weekly Participate in a Work Program ( e.g. WIOA) for 20 hours weekly Participate in an Employment and Training Program that includes qualifying ABAWD activities for 20 hours weekly: Education/Training Volunteer/Work Experience Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Combination of the activities listed above for 20 hours weekly

POWER IN PARTNERSHIPS Help ABAWDs to meet work requirements; Provide services to FNS recipients historically reserved for TANF; Provide participant supports; Augment the menu of services; and Leverage local resources for workforce services.

Why FNS E&T? Targeted to Low-Income Requires Support Services Leverages Funding Enhanced by Collaboration Supports Flexibility Requires Support Services

IT’S A WIN/WIN FOR ALL! Partnerships create better programs & outcomes E&T participants benefit from broader support Leveraging resources means leveraging knowledge Money doesn’t get left on the table Meaningful strategies Fuller funding for more effective services

N.C. FNS E&T VISION Strengthen the Family Strengthen the Community Strengthen the North Carolina Workforce Strengthen FNS E&T Partnerships

Renee Smith, NC FNS E&T Coordinator renee.smith@dhhs.nc.gov