1. www.ohiofoodbanks.org www.ohiobenefits.org SNAP and Work Jason Elchert, deputy director jason@ohiofoodbanks.org Dustin Speakman, director of community services dustin@ohiofoodbanks.org September 24, 2015

2. What Happened to Our Waiver? Ohio had been operating under a full statewide waiver until September 30, 2013. August 30, 2013, Ohio Governor John R. Kasich’s office contacted the association to tell us they were declining the waiver for all but 16 Appalachian counties. The waiver would end September 30 and the 3 month time limit would go into full effect. 2

3. The Political Landscape Impacted hungry Ohioans Ohio Governor John Kasich assisted with writing this law into welfare reform There appeared to be national political pressure behind this decision as well The administration after several meetings would still not accept continuing the wavier The association requested the administration take a thoughtful approach to implementing a work program The media and general public were not always supportive of the association – as the association was portrayed as anti-work 3

4. Who are These People? Does Data Exist? 4 There was no data at the state level There was no data at the county level Many of these cases had been worked at only a very shallow level since 2007 because of the waiver State and county were unable to provide any demographic profile The number of impacted individuals was unknown In short – we started to cut benefits off without knowing any information

5. Who, What, Where, and Why… It started in Franklin County Ohio – Columbus, the first week of October 2013 with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. We each knew this was bad policy and would impact our community substantially considering there could be up to 12,000 that may not be exempted immediately. People need to eat and we started building an ABAWD bicycle and trying to ride it at the same time… 5

6. Partners Franklin County Job and Family Services provided funding to the association - $450,000. $200,000 for operations $250,000 to be used for participants only Ohio Association of Foodbanks Columbus Public Library Community and Faith Based Organizations 6

7. False Start Initially beginning in the first week of November, the association was setting up at public libraries across the city and county to conduct paper assessments. Franklin County would provide referrals and we would be at the library on specific days waiting for ABAWDs Paper assessments took a long time No library consistency in dates – individuals would randomly show up a day no one was there – libraries not happy Between the association and Franklin County an organization reported to the state the exemptions were being applied too liberally to felons. This resulted in homeless individuals no longer being exempted, felons no longer exempted, caregivers that did not have the individual in their home no longer being exempted and a host of others 7

8. County Operational Issues Lack of understanding the ABAWD E&T rulesTraining issues on SNAP E&T in general for caseworkersStaffing with Medicaid expansion influx – already in overtime mode Systems issues – legacy systems could not provide data or information people needed No tracking system of reporting compliant and non-compliant individualsNo reporting system, data collection system, or any system of any kind Conflicts within Ohio Administrative Code throwing off case managers and administrators 8

9. Process 2.0 9 Meet with individual upon approval at the welfare office for assessment Individual is provided information on the program, assessed for variety of barriers and information collected Individual is provided clinic date at the end of the month – during the clinic they are background checked, legal aid provides services, apply for other benefits Individual is provided opportunity for men and women's suiting and any other placement site clothing/safety needs Upon completion of background check they are placed at a volunteer site for 23 hours per month.

10. Assessment and Data When Franklin County Job and Family Services caseworkers make the determination that a individual is an ABAWD and is considered work required, the individual is referred to their local opportunity center to be assessed by an Ohio Association of Foodbanks WEP Assessment Specialist. Each specialist completes an in-depth interview with the individuals using a series of questions on the Work Experience Assessment Portal. The assessment can be located at wep.ohiofoodbanks.org however we ask that you DO NOT submit any information Questions go over a wide variety of demographic, employment, disability, education, and criminal justice encounters 10

11. Assessment in TBB Pro The association programmed the assessment into TBB Pro and will begin using the module in November 2015 Improved security Capitalize on other benefit applications in TBB Transfer case to counselor-assisted/self-serve after client exits program Reporting on individuals will enable counselors to work better with clients and CDJFS 11

12. Assessment in TBB Pro 12

13. Assessment in TBB Pro 13

14. Assessment in TBB Pro 14

15. Assessment in TBB Pro 15

16. Assessment in TBB Pro 16

17. Assessment in TBB Pro 17

18. Assessment in TBB Pro 18

19. Assessment in TBB Pro 19

20. Assessment in TBB Pro 20

21. General Findings 21 By the Numbers 4,145 individiuals assessed since 11/2013 34 – average age 17% have filed for SSI/SSDI 56% have reliable transportation 10% are currently working 10% are performing in-kind work 15% need supportive services at assignment (LEP)

22. Employment & Other Barriers 22

23. Impact? 23

24. Conclusion… 24 We are doing our best. There is not enough money in SNAP E&T to make huge impacts. We are helping to maintain benefits in many cases, but nothing more than that. This is a difficult population to engage with as they can be transient, lower functioning, and are not able-bodied. You can do this and help make your state and partners aware of what this provision means to our communities.