Funding Job-Driven Adult Education Programs for SNAP Recipients Marcie Foster, SNAP Office of Employment and Training U.S. Department of Agriculture Jason Turner, Southwest Regional Office U.S. Department of Agriculture

Who is/What is FNS? The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs including WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and school meals.  In partnership with State and Tribal governments, our programs serve one in four Americans  during the course of a year. The SNAP Office of Employment and Training oversees the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program.

What is SNAP E&T? USDA provides ~$300 million annually to States to operate the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program. All States are required to operate a program and must submit an annual E&T plan. Serves just over 1 million SNAP participants annually. States have considerable flexibility in designing E&T programs that meet the needs of participants and employers.

Who is Eligible for E&T? SNAP recipients who: 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: States can operate mandatory or voluntary programs. No federal requirement that any participant be made a mandatory participant.

Skills of SNAP Recipients 50 percent of people receiving SNAP are not high school graduates. SNAP recipients with lower skills are more likely to receive SNAP for longer 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

What Services are Provided through E&T? An E&T program is a package of services: Assessment, Component activities, Participant reimbursements (e.g. dependent care, transportation, books, supplies), and Follow-up. State agencies choose the activities (“components”) they will offer (or partner with others to offer) and articulate them in the annual state plan.

SNAP E&T “Components” Job search and job search training (work readiness) Workfare; Programs designed to improve the employability of individuals through actual work experience, training, or both; Programs designed to increase an individual’s self- sufficiency through self-employment; Education that improve basic skills or employability and have a direct link to employment; Vocational training; and Job retention for 90 days following employment.

SNAP E&T Part of the Skilled Workforce Solution SNAP E&T can serve a population that’s otherwise very hard to reach and serve. Flexible nature of the program allows States to integrate SNAP E&T with existing workforce development programs. States are leaving money on the table. Can be braided or “staged” with other federal funding.

Structure of Federal SNAP E&T Funding 50-50 funds are extremely flexible There are three SNAP E&T funding streams States are not currently maximizing their use of E&T funds Federal SNAP E&T Funding 50-50 Funds Participant Reimbursements Administrative Reimbursements Pledge State (ABAWD) Funds 100 Percent Funds

What is a Third-Party 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

Third-Party Reimbursement Models State 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 reimbursement through the State FNS reimburses State for 50% allowable expenses State passes reimbursement back to partner

Third-Party Reimbursement Models Benefits 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 Forges system alignment Challenges Must establish in advance Can be administratively complex Must verify SNAP eligibility Anticipating service levels throughout the year Tracking non-federal funding sources Financing can be especially difficult for smaller CBOs

Where do you fit in? Are you serving SNAP participants? What types of educational or job-related programs are you operating? Are you receiving non- federal funding to support at least part of your education or training program?

SNAP E&T and Adult Education E&T funds can be part of an adult education program’s array of funding resources for SNAP recipients. Reimbursement funds can be used to provide participant supports. E&T funds can help SNAP recipients transition into college and careers through “bridge” programs. E&T can pay for college tuition until traditional financial aid is available (e.g., in co-enrollment models) E&T funds cannot be used to supplant State education expenses.

2014 Farm Bill Pilots $200 million for 10 E&T pilot projects: CA (Fresno), DE, GA, IL, KS, KY, MS, VA, VT, WA. Collectively, pilots will test a range of job-driven strategies: Lighter-touch strategies such as comprehensive assessment and intensive case management; Intensive sector-based approaches and career pathways; Career navigation and job readiness; and Work-based learning.

Targeted Technical Assistance First-ever large-scale technical assistance project to support growth in SNAP E&T Funded by FNS, led by Seattle Jobs Initiative Targeted Technical Assistance 10 States: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee Materials/Resources (coming soon!) 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

SNAP E&T Toolkit Modules on: FAQs E&T Resource Center E&T Basics– “101” Effective partnerships Allowable costs FAQs E&T Resource Center (www.fns.usda.gov)

Where to Start? Are you serving SNAP clients with job-driven programs? Ask your State SNAP Agency for their SNAP E&T plan! Regional Offices (check out which FNS region you are in @ www.fns.usda.gov) National Office