1. Employment and Training Resources
Presenters introduce themselves

2. SNAP Employment and Training (E&T)
What is SNAP E&T?
What employment and training resources may be available for my program participants?
Can my agency become a SNAP E&T provider?
Ashley
We will be providing answers to these questions in our time today.
8/27/2019

3. The Basics of SNAP E&T Ashley
For those who may not be very familiar with this program, we will start with a basic intro of what SNAP E&T is and how it is utilized to serve the low income population in MN.

4. SNAP E&T in MN
Vision: Minnesota envisions a SNAP Employment and Training Program where Minnesotans with low incomes have clear pathways in developing marketable and in-demand skills, leading to career advancement and self-sufficiency.
Mission: Through strong partnerships, our mission is to help recipients fully utilize their SNAP benefits, gain the essential skills needed for gainful employment and successfully transition off public assistance.
Ashley
SNAP E&T is a program that provides training/education and job seeking assistance to individuals receiving SNAP benefits. This can be any individual, 16 and older who has an intention of gaining employment.
Let’s start with the basics: our vision and mission.
Vision: Minnesota envisions a SNAP Employment and Training Program where Minnesotans with low incomes have clear pathways in developing marketable and in-demand skills, leading to career advancement and self-sufficiency.
Mission: Through strong partnerships, our mission is to help recipients fully utilize their SNAP benefits, gain the essential skills needed for gainful employment and successfully transition off public assistance.
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5. SNAP E&T in MN contd. State-supervised, county- administered system
87 counties
Tribes
Seven Anishinaabe reservation (Chippewa, Ojibwe)
Four Dakota (Sioux) Communities
All-voluntary program
E&T services provided through contracted providers and counties
Ashley
Perspective/program backdrop- State supervised, county administered (87 counties), 11 tribes (non providing E&T services at this time)
December 2018, we began operating an all-voluntary SNAP E&T program. Time-limited participants are encouraged to engage in employment and training activities to continue to receive SNAP beyond their three counted months. Any person receiving SNAP can participate in SNAP E&T.
We have both counties and third party providers providing SNAP E&T services. The program has two funding sources:
100% funds- very limited amount and it is retained at the state and provided to counties.
50% reimbursement funds- some counties are utilizing but primarily third-party providers contracted with state or counties– this is the funding stream that allows for growth of program and services provided to SNAP recipients
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6. Program History
Historically, SNAP E&T was designed to serve time-limited ABAWDs despite this population being only a fraction of recipients who can access E&T services
Counties- 100 Percent funds can only go so far and funding cannot grow the program
Few recipients are being served
Majority served participated in job search and job club
Skills development rarely utilized
Ashley
Before the E&T program expansion with the utilization of the 50% reimbursement funds, ABAWDs were primarily the individuals served through E&T- despite all SNAP recipients being eligible– this remains a myth that we still confront (that only adults without children can participate in E&T)
It is clear that the 100% SNAP E&T funds that the state receives does not allow for a robust, jobs driven program across the state. It was realized that few SNAP recipients were being served through E&T (including time-limited individuals)
The services that were offered to participants were primarily job search driven– rarely educational or training programs due to lack of funding
This includes, to name a few:
Formation of a Steering Committee (still meets on a monthly basis)
Developed a 5 year strategic plan and one year implementation plan
Website
Hosted quarterly stakeholder meetings
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7. Program Expansion From four to 16 DHS contracted providers
Statewide coverage
Variety of providers and services
“local experts”
Statewide program marketing
Ashley
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8. Mandatory to Voluntary
As of December 1, 2018, SNAP recipients subject to the time limit and work provisions can decide if they want to participate in SNAP E&T to help meet those requirements.
An end to sanctioning
3/36 month limit remains
Reverse referral are the norm
Ashley
May have heard things about this program including:
If a individual stops participating, they lose their SNAP benefits
If an individual does participate, they receive less food
These are not true– SNAP E&T is an added benefit for those receiving SNAP and it is a way to assist individuals in gaining skills to move out of poverty
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9. Employment and Training Resources
Lynn

10. Who Can Participate in SNAP E&T?
Lynn
Any person aged 16 or older receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefit, and not participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) can be enrolled in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T).
Must be able to work upon completion of the program.
This includes: 16 year olds, and 50+ year olds, ABAWDs residing in waived areas, other non-work registrants
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11. Provider Map
Lynn
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12. DEED Resources
Lynn
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13. Becoming a SNAP E&T Provider
Ashley
RFP sometime summer/fall of 2020

14. Becoming a Provider
Ashley
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15. Local Options
Ashley
Three ways an organization can become a SNAP E&T provider.
County submits local area plan to DHS for operation of E&T each year. County chooses local provider – through this, this organization can receive 100% and/or 50% reimbursement funds without a direct contract with the state.
Direct contract with DHS via RFP
Direct contract with DEED via existing state grant options (add-on for two specific DEED grants)
DHS does not have timeline for next RFP yet. To enter through a local area plan would require coordination with a county or region. LAPs are due back to DHS in July.
DEED (next slide)…
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16. Strategic Partners Ashley
The work could not and cannot be done alone. This is a visual highlighting the many partners in this work. It includes not only state agencies but also counties, tribes, third party providers, colleges, employers…
DEED and DHS have worked closely over the years to build the SNAP E&T program in MN. Through an interagency agreement DEED and DHS work to better serve the providers who serve our participants. We have learned a lot over the years and we are excited to continue this partnership into the future.
DEED brings the employment and job seeker services to assist the participants when they are ready and able to look for work, explore educational opportunities, explore businesses and employers, or learn more about the career fields that are growing in MN. We are working to help smaller organizations build capacity. Also, to help employers find the employees that they need. There is currently a labor shortage and we need to help families and individuals find family wage sustaining jobs.
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17. Activities Job Search Job Search Training Workfare Work Experience
Work Based Learning
Educational Programs
Self-Employment Training
Job Retention
Other Activities: Orientation, Assessment and Social Services
Ashley
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18. MAXIS and Workforce One
MAXIS: SNAP Eligibility System
Workforce One: Employment and Training Data Management System
Ashley
All DHS contracted E&T providers have access to both. This helps to ensure participant is open on SNAP each month of participation.
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19. Allowable Costs
Administrative Costs—Supports overall operations of SNAP E&T
Program Costs—Directly related to providing SNAP E&T Services
Support Services—Participant reimbursements directly supporting an approved SNAP E&T component
Must be allowable, necessary and reasonable
Must not be available through another government program or at no cost
Must be for employment related to an E&T component
Ashley
8/27/2019

20. Allowable Support Services
Clothing for job interviews
Course registration fees and books
Dependent care costs
Gasoline
Housing—Participant rent up to two months per program year
Transportation expenses
Uniforms
Driver’s License
Ashley
These are examples of allowable support services
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21. The Provider Perspective

22. SNAP E&T Provider: Tri-County Action Program
The Mission of Tri-CAP is to enhance and expand opportunities for the economic and social well-being of our residents and our communities.
 The Vision of Tri-CAP is to provide services and engage residents of our communities to achieve goals of personal economic self-sufficiency.
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23. Program Creation
Initial conversations with other CAP agencies-
We reached out to look at feasibility with other CAP agencies already doing this work.
Complementary services-
SNAP outreach
State housing programs/OEO Transitional and Long Term Homeless (LTH) &
displaced homemaker program/Rebuilding Lives
Utilize existing best practices-
Did not need to reinvent the wheel
Utilized standard forms (goal, financials, needs assessments)
Includes strength-based, holistic focus model which aims at self-sufficiency
Monthly conference calls with program oversight-
Responsiveness
Open/honest
Support system
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24. Program Overview
SNAP E & T participants gain skills, training, or work experience to increase their ability to obtain regular employment that leads to economic self- sufficiency.
Services include: case management, life skills and career development classes, referrals to other services, clothing, equipment and tools needed for the job, testing fees, and license fees.
We also work closely with other partner agencies in our communities to provide appropriate community referrals such as job training programs related to customer service/call center, administrative assistant, and nursing assistant programs.
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25. Case Management Philosophy
Strength-based-finding strengths in each family’s situation
Holistic-all inclusive
Reduce barriers-identify barriers that make success more difficult
Trauma-informed-recognizing the distinct trauma that has been experienced by the household to further support
Harm reduction-non-judgmental, supportive, understanding
Referrals-providing community based program referrals
Support-building rapport and relationships
Advocacy-Encouragement and support for the household with landlords, service providers, employers, etc.
Outcome=self-sufficiency
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26. Financial Assistance Rental assistance Auto repair Gas card
Career clothing
Bus pass
Child care deposits or fees
Short term education certificates or programs
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27. Tools for Success DHS provided program set-up
DHS provided program guide
DHS provided financial guide
WF1 and MAXIS support
Conference calls
Monitoring guide
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28. Success Stories We have enrolled 14 clients in the program.
Several of our clients have gained increase in wages/benefits or employment leading to their self-sufficiency thus moving them off SNAP benefits. We were there to help create a smooth transition.
Several others are working toward certificates and degree programs.
Many have stabilized their living situations and managed to cover their basic needs on their own.
Currently exploring ways to partner with businesses, non-profits, and social service agencies to provide pathways to employment.
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29. Resources SNAP E&T Website: https://mn.gov/dhs/snap-e-and-t/
Provider Map: Map/SNAPETProviders
CareerForce:
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30. Stacy Pederson, M.A., Tri-Cap Theresa Flinck, M.S., Tri-Cap
Ashley Snyder, DHS
SNAP E&T Expansion Specialist
Lynn Dahn, DEED
SNAP E&T Program Coordinator
Stacy Pederson, M.A., Tri-Cap
Director of Client Services
Theresa Flinck, M.S., Tri-Cap
Family Resources Manager
Questions or Comments?
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31. Thank You!
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