2. 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

3. BFET Pilot Development

4. 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

5. Program Expansion (10/05-Present)

6. 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

7. Administrative Structure

8. Administrative Processes

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Participant Outcomes

16. 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

17. 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