1. NC Community College Education Navigator Pilot
Food and Nutrition Services
Employment and Training
(FNS E&T)
NC Community College Education Navigator Pilot
OPPORTUNITY is KNOCKING !!

2. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Presentation to
NCETA Spring Conference
April 19-21, 2017
Wilmington, NC
Renee Smith
Food and Nutrition Services Employment and Training Coordinator
Division of Social Services, Economic and Family Services
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
and
Teretha Bell
Coordinator of Special Projects
Workforce and Continuing Education
North Carolina Community College System

3. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Historical Context
Congress established the Food Stamp Employment and Training
WHY?
To assist able-bodied food stamp recipients in obtaining employment.

4. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Historical Context
Changes to program…
National Name Change – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2008 – Food and Nutrition Act gave a great deal of FLEXIBILITY in the design of the E&T Programs and must include one of the following…
Job Search Program Job Search Training Program
WorkFare Program Work Experience or Training
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
( WIOA)
Education Program Self Employment

5. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Historical Context
Changes continue...
2014 -

6. The American workforce faces serious skill level gaps

7. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Historical Context
SNAP Employment, Training a USDA Priority
Release No. FNS
Contact: FNS Communications (703)
SNAP Employment, Training a USDA Priority USDA Announces New Results-Focused Reporting Rule for Job-Driven Programs
WASHINGTON, March 23, The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new steps to further strengthen the success of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) activities, in the latest action by the department to help more SNAP participants develop marketable skills and find jobs.
"In today’s job market, it’s clear that workers who increase their education and sharpen their skills are more likely to be employed, more likely to have higher earnings and become more self-sufficient," said Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "These are effects that are passed on to future generations, breaking the cycle of poverty that encumbers too many households."
The new outcome reporting requirements, mandated by the 2014 Farm Bill, will help states, USDA, and the public understand the effectiveness of SNAP E&T programs.  States can use these data to identify best practices and identify areas for improvement. Starting next year, the rule requires states to provide annual data on employment entry, job retention, median earnings, and other education and employment-related outcomes.
To foster and streamline partnerships across federal training programs, the reporting requirements are aligned closely with the measures included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which governs the nation’s federal training programs.
Concannon said the rule published today underscores USDA’s ongoing commitment to help states develop robust E&T programs that help low-income Americans transition off SNAP the right way: through a well-paying job.  He noted additional recent efforts:
In March 2015, USDA announced the participants of $200 million in competitive awards to fund and evaluate 10 long-term pilot projects designed to help SNAP participants find jobs and work toward self-sufficiency. The pilot projects, which were funded by the 2014 Farm Bill, represent a wide array of approaches—including skills training, work-based learning, support services such as transportation and child care, and other job-driven strategies—and reflect the wide geographic diversity of the SNAP population.
In October 2015, USDA announced that it will be partnering with the Seattle Jobs Initiative to elevate best practices in SNAP E&T and offer technical assistance to states on how to implement job-driven SNAP E&T programs.  USDA's Food and Nutrition Service selected the Seattle Jobs Initiative to operate this initiative, called SNAP to Skills, for the next two years. In March 2016, USDA announced 10 states that would receive extra technical assistance through SNAP to Skills to improve their E&T programs.
Today’s announcement comes during National Nutrition Month.  Throughout the month, USDA is highlighting the results of our efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans, and support the health of our next generation.
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit ##
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC , or call toll-free at (866) (English) or (800) (TDD)or (866) (English federal-relay) or (800) (Spanish federal-relay).

8. North Carolina FNS E&T Overview
USDA provides millions of dollars annually to States to operate FNS E&T programs.
FNS E&T programs provide education and skills training for FNS participants ages who can be reasonably expected to work.
The North Carolina FNS E&T program is voluntary.
FNS E&T participants must be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses directly related FNS E&T participation components.

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

10. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE FNS POPULATON?
PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSES
Federal Regs require that the FNS E&T participant is reimbursed for allowable expenses that are REASONABLE, NECESSARY and DIRECTLY related to participation in an E&T component.
Transportation – Public Fare, Gas, etc.
Dependent Care Cost
Books
Uniforms
Clothing for Job Interviews
See page 48 Appendix B of the E&T Toolkit for more information.

11. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE FNS POPULATON?
Short-term Vocational Training Certification
Vocational Degree
On-the-Job Training
Work Experience
Basic Education
Self–Employment Training
Apprenticeship Program
English as a Second Language
Job Search Training
Job Retention Services (90 days)
Child-Care
Transportation

12. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
WHO NEEDS TO BE AT THE TABLE TO DEVELOP
the E&T Plan of Action ?
Workforce Dev. Boards
Employers NCWorks Career Center
Community College Literacy Council
WIOA Ex-Offender/ReEntry
Food Banks Apprenticeship Consultant
Training Institutions Transportation Resources
Vocational Rehab Culinary Schools
Non-Profits FNS E&T Participant
For Profits Homeless Shelters
Faith Based Organizations Child Care Organizations
Banks Hospitals
Staffing Agencies

13. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Partnerships and Third Party Reimbursements
USDA recommends that we maximize resources and create sustainability through third-party partnerships.
A third-party partnership simply means that E&T services are provided by third parties, such as community colleges and community based organizations.
Main Feature: Funds to pay for the services come from the partners rather than the state or labor agency, and can be reimbursed at 50% by federal SNAP E&T funds. This maximizes resources for services, augments the menu of services offered, expands capacity and knowledge and creates sustainability.

14. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Partnerships and Third Party Reimbursements
FACT:
Counties may have very limited financial resources for participant expenses.
Counties may have limited staff to administer a FNS E&T program.
The term “Partner” implies shared responsibility!
WHO can “Partner” to help with these challenges?

15. 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

16. FNS E&T THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
State/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 reimbursement through the State
FNS reimburses State for 50% allowable expenses
State passes reimbursement back to partner

17. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview

18. North Carolina FNS Employment & Training(E&T)Program The North Carolina Employment and Training Program can be clustered in 5 categories.

19. North Carolina Community College Education Navigator Pilot
NC was selected to receive E&T Consultant Technical Assistance called the SNAP to Skills (S2S) Initiative
Seattle Jobs Initiative – (SJI) assists NC to establish goals
Expand the FNS E&T program
Availability of resources to build robust Third Party Partnership
Availability of strong, job driven workforce development programs in NC
NC S2S Interagency Team established
S2S - 10 State Training Meeting - Margaret Roberton proposes
the Education Navigator pilot

20. North Carolina Community College Education Navigator Pilot Staff
Coordinator of Special Projects
Supervises Education Navigators
Advocates for the Pilot with Dept. of Social Services
Collaborates with the Community Colleges to become FNS E&T Partners
Collaborates with the Division of Workforce Solutions
Assists with the access of 50/50 Reimbursement Funding for the Community Colleges

21. North Carolina Community College Education Navigator Pilot Staff
Education Navigators Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Partnership with Buncombe County DSS and Durham Technical Community College Partnership with Orange County DSS

22. North Carolina Community College Education Navigator Pilot Staff
Education Navigators Responsibilities
Exclusively serves FNS E&T recipients with:
Educational Assessments
Educational Pathways
Determines Educational/Employability Plans of Action
Provides Some Case Management Services
Coordinates with DSS Staff for participant supportive services
Provides Outcome Measures Tracking

23. NC FNS E&T VISION Strengthen the Family Strengthen the Community
Strengthen the North Carolina Workforce
Strengthen FNS E&T Partnerships

24. 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

25. FNS E&T Plan of Action Overview
Get To Know FNS E&T Policy

26. FNS E&T - Educator Navigator Pilot
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION
Teretha Bell: