1. Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET)
January 26, 2015

2. Welcome & Introductions
Rick Krauss, Consultant, Seattle Jobs Initiative
Jason Turner, Food Program Manager, DSHS
David Skaar, BFET Supervisor, DSHS
Shannon Booth, WorkFirst Supervisor, ESD
Hussam Al Khalidy, LEP Employment Specialist, ESD
Kelly Lindseth, Facilitator, ESD

3. Expectations
Interested Agencies will understand BFET on a surface level – and be able to apply for a contract with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Questions may be directed to any of the panel members and that person will find the answer or communicate with the correct person.

4. BFET Overview and History
The BFET program provides employment, education, and training services to federal Basic Food recipients.
The goal of the BFET program is to assist Basic Food recipients in obtaining a livable wage leading towards self-sufficiency.
The BFET program is a 50/50 reimbursement program.
Promotes partnerships among agencies within the community
Promotes collaboration among BFET providers
Diversify the revenue streams to assist BFA recipients
Important - Agencies will need to identify matching non-federal funds based on the 50/50 model

5. Services Provided to BFET Participants
Employability assessment
Case management
Job readiness training
Basic skills/ESL training (literacy, math, vocational ESL, High School Equivalency preparation)
Vocational training
Job search assistance, job placement, and post-employment support services

6. Support Services Transportation Safety clothing
Housing and utility assistance
Child care subsidy
Personal hygiene and grooming
School supplies
Tools and equipment needed to secure employment

7. BFET Pilot
DSHS is looking to expand BFET with a pilot called Resources to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE).
The RISE grant application was submitted in late 2014 and expects an answer from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) by late February 2015.
The program will expand BFET services to include comprehensive case management and work-based learning in King, Pierce, Yakima and Spokane counties.
RISE will focus on helping the harder to serve individuals that are subject to Basic Food work requirements.

8. Washington’s BFET Program and Operations
The BFET program is a partnership of DSHS, SBCTC colleges and CBOs leveraging each other’s strengths
Community Colleges equip BFET participants to be a skilled worker
CBOs guide BFET participants in entering the workforce

9. Washington’s BFET Program and Operations
DSHS’s Role and Responsibilities
Requests Federal reimbursement from FNS
Ensure the BFET program is in alignment with Federal requirements
Confirm BFET eligibility for each participant

10. Washington’s BFET Program and Operations
Colleges’ & CBOs’ Role and Responsibilities
Provide direct services to BFET Participants. This includes:
Employability assessment
BFET activity and case management
Track costs, maintain records and invoice according to Federal and State regulations

11. Washington’s BFET Program and Operations
Lack of CBOs in rural WA
Lack of match funding
14 counties only have 1 BFET provider
Imbalance of BFET services (no JS or JT or BR services)
14 counties have no BFET providers

12. Basic Food Recipients and BFET Providers by County
September 2014
Whatcom
28,720 5
Ferry
1,548 1
Pend Oreille
2,698 1
San Juan
1,080
Skagit
21,026 3
Okanogan
8,740
Island
7,655
Stevens
8,601 2
Clallam
12,434 1
Snohomish
88,905 7
Chelan
11,714 1
Douglas
5,455
Jefferson
4,146
Kitsap
32,871 3
King
230,644 32
Spokane
94,108 7
Lincoln
1,198
Grays
Harbor
16,891 1
Mason
11,776 1
Grant
19,484 1
Kittitas
5,159
Whitman
3,786
Thurston
39,092 2
Pierce
142,647 11
Adams
4,737
Pacific
4,409 1
Lewis
17,084 1
Franklin
17,789 1
Garfield
301
Yakima
66,033 2
Columbia
678
Cowlitz
25,440 2
Benton
32,515 1
Asotin
4,655 1
Walla Walla
9,676 1
Skamania
1,553
Wahkiakum
590
Klickitat
3,859
Clark
71,683 1
Legend
County
BFA Recipients
BFET Providers
College and CBO present in County
Only a college or CBO present in County
No BFET provider present in County

13. BFET Providers and BFET Participants by County
September 2014
Whatcom 5
467
Ferry 1 7
Pend Oreille 1 5
San Juan 8
Skagit 3
153
Okanogan 1
Island 37
Stevens 2 10
Clallam 1
173
Snohomish 7
573
Chelan 1 22
Douglas 16
Jefferson 14
Kitsap 3
348
King 32
3,306
Spokane 7
535
Lincoln 7
Grays
Harbor 1
113
Mason 1 55
Grant 1 75
Kittitas 5
Whitman 7
Thurston 2
130
Pierce 11
701
Adams 8
Pacific 1 8
Lewis 1
176
Franklin 1 32
Garfield 2
Yakima 2 84
Columbia 1
Cowlitz 2
137
Benton 1 79
Asotin 41
Walla Walla 1 91
Skamania 1
Wahkiakum
Klickitat
Clark 1
339
Legend
County
BFET Providers
BFET Participants
College and CBO present in County
Only a college or CBO present in County
No BFET provider present in County

14. BFET Participants to BFA Recipients Ratio by County
September 2014
Whatcom
1:61
Ferry
1:221
Pend Oreille
1:540
San Juan
1:135
Okanogan
1:8740
Skagit
1:137
Island
1:207
Stevens
1:860
Snohomish
1:155
Clallam
1:72
Chelan
1:532
Douglas
1:341
Jefferson
1:296
Kitsap
1:94
King
1:70
Spokane
1:176
Lincoln
1:171
Grays Harbor
1:149
Mason
1:214
Grant
1:260
Kittitas
1:1032
Whitman
1:541
Thurston
1:301
Pierce
1:203
Adams
1:592
Pacific
1:551
Franklin
1:556
Lewis
1:97
Garfield
1:151
Yakima
1:786
Columbia
1:678
Cowlitz
1:186
Benton
1:412
Asotin
1:114
Skamania
1:1553
Walla Walla
1:106
Wahkiakum
0:590
Klickitat
0:3859
Clark
1:211
Less than 1 BFET Participant to 100 BFA recipients
Greater than 1 BFET Participant to 500 BFA recipients

15. How to Apply to be a BFET Contractor
Review the Capacity Checklist in the Potential Partner Agency Packet
Complete a Letter of Intent using the Capacity Checklist
The Letter of Intent is found in the Potential Partner Agency Packet
Submit your Letter of Intent to

16. Timeline
New contracts typically start in April and October, but exceptions can be made depending on budget and agency preparation.
It usually takes about 2 – 3 months to review a proposal (letter of intent), sign the contract and begin BFET services.
Since BFET is a reimbursement program, contracted agencies invoice DSHS monthly or quarterly after providing services to clients; therefore, DSHS typically pays contractors 45 – 120 days post-service .

17. Spokane LEP BFET Program
The Office of Refugees and Immigrant Assistance contracts with 13 locations to provide BFET services.
Those contractors must first have an LEP Pathways contract.
Most services are paid at a 100% rate due to subsidies from Washington State funds.

18. Questions & Answers