SNAP E&T – 3rd Party Match SNAP E&T administered by Food & Nutrition Service (USDA) States required to have SNAP E&T programs, but have flexibility in design (who is served, types of services) Most states have very limited SNAP E&T programs and focus on mandatory populations Two types of SNAP E&T funding: 100 percent (fully funded by FNS) and 50 percent reimbursement funds for services provided beyond those covered by 100 percent funds “Third-Party Match” Program: match for 50 percent funds provided by service providers (e.g., community colleges, community agencies) rather than state; providers receive SNAP E&T reimbursement to expand their services

BFET Pilot Development

Risks / Opportunities RISKS OPPORTUNITIES State Administrative Agency (DSHS) Complex, Risk-Averse Concern About Costing and Eligibility Systems No SNAP E&T Third-Party Match Model Existed to Guide Efforts Staffing Capacity of State to Administer Program OPPORTUNITIES Augment Limited SNAP/SNAP E&T Services Support Much-Needed E&T Services Drive More Coordinated Workforce System in State Build on a Wealth of Existing Resources

Program Expansion (10/05-Present)

Program Services PROGRAM COMPONENTS SUPPORT SERVICES Job Search Job Training Basic Education/ESL Vocational Education Job Retention Services SUPPORT SERVICES Child Care Transportation and Clothing Housing Tuition/Books/Fees and Other Supports

Administrative Structure

Administrative Processes

BFET at the Community Colleges BFET FUNDS UTILIZED BY COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR Staff to administer the program and directly support BFET students Tuition, books, fees, supplies (typically for students in prof-tech programs) “Bridge” Funding – supporting students for first 1-2 quarters while they line up other sources of financial aid (e.g. Pell) College-based support services

BFET at the Community Colleges SOURCES OF MATCH State-funded Opportunity Grants and State Need Grants (low-income students) State-funded Worker Retraining College foundation funds 3.5% tuition set aside

BFET at the Community Colleges CHALLENGES/RECOMMENDATIONS Staffing to administer the program is significant Challenge to identify/track multiple sources of match for students Running out of match sources before academic year is over Recommend involving Business Office, Financial Aid Office, Student Services along with Workforce Education Department in designing/administering program

BFET at Community-Based Organizations “Mixed” Participant Programs vs. “BFET-Only” Programs BFET FUNDS UTILIZED BY CBOS FOR Basic Skills/ESL Training Job Search/Job Readiness Training Vocational/Sector-Based Skills Training – Short-Term to Longer-Term Case Management/Career and College Navigation; Support Services

BFET at Community-Based Organizations SOURCES OF MATCH Foundation, Corporate and Local Government Grants; Private Donations Social Enterprise Revenues CHALLENGES/RECOMMENDATIONS Cost allocation systems/federal dollars can be daunting – access fiscal expertise BFET’s eligibility and invoicing processes can be staff intensive Need liquidity to pay for full BFET services while waiting for 50% reimbursement Technical assistance from state/other providers important when starting out

BFET/SNAP E&T – Policy & Advocacy 2008: 120 Hour Rule Changes; Job Retention Added 2009 – 2010: New Guidance on Cost Principles 2014: Reporting Requirements Codified; New SNAP E&T Pilot Funding Ongoing: SNAP E&T Threatened in Congress Importance of Advocates at State Level to Push for Program Improvements

Participant Outcomes

BFET Best Practices Place Skills at the Center Complement/Don’t Duplicate Existing Workforce Programs Start Small and/or with Planning, Infrastructure Building Building on Strong Existing Partnerships; Collaborate Foundational Elements: Strategic Plan, Fiscal Expertise, TA Integrate Support Services Build on Existing Administrative Structures/Capacity at State Consider All-Voluntary Programs

BFET Best Practices Incent College-Community Agency Partnerships Streamline Eligibility and Invoicing Processes Include Outcome Measures, Data Collection and Reporting Honest Broker Model (Cross-Referral) Partner with FNS 100% Funds to Build Infrastructure, Seed New Providers Plan to Transition to 50-50/3rd Party Funding Model