CalFresh Employment &

Training

Program Overview

2019

SNAP E&T in Action

Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI)

➢Operates SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) funded

services in Seattle, WA

➢Provides research & policy work in the employment & training

arena

➢Offers consulting services for SNAP E&T; FNS SNAP to Skills &

independent consulting including Ventura County

➢Foundational partner in Washington’s E&T program since 2005

National Perspective

➢The purpose of SNAP E&T is to assist members of SNAP households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. Source: Section 6(d) (4) of the Food and Nutrition Act

➢All states are required to operate a SNAP E&T program and submit an annual E&T plan; The State CalFresh agency is responsible for the administration of it’s program & has considerable flexibility in designing E&T programs for diverse participants and employers

CalFresh E&T Overview

‣ CalFresh Employment & Training (E&T) is California’s voluntary workforce program for CalFresh recipients; federally, it is known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) E&T.

‣ Counties that choose to participate design E&T programs around a number of allowable components and supportive services that should fit local economic needs, while improving the employability, wages, and upward mobility of CalFresh recipients.

‣ Statewide outcome data is reported annually to Food and Nutrition Services of the USDA, in addition to quarterly program data.

‣ Federal 100% funds and 50 % reimbursement funds allow counties to provide E&T services directly, work with third-party partners or both.

CalFresh E&T Services

➢Program components

➢Supervised Job search

➢Job training

➢Basic education/ESL

➢Work experience

➢Vocational training

➢Job retention services

➢ Includes employment assessment, planning, and case management assistance

➢Support services

Must be reasonable & necessary for E&T participation

➢Common examples:

➢Transportation & clothing

➢Tuition/books/fees

➢Supplies & tools

➢Childcare

➢Emergency housing

100% funds and

ABAWD pledge funds*

50/50 administrative

reimbursements

States and Counties can

maximize 50/50 funds

through third-party

partnerships with

employers, CBOs, colleges,

philanthropy, and others

States that agree to serve all childless adults in the State

receive a proportionate share of $20 million set aside by FNS

50/50 participant

reimbursements

*

CalFresh E&T Funding

What CalFresh E&T Funds Cover

➢100% Funds➢Administrative expenses

➢ State and County staffing and overall

planning, implementation, and operations

➢Direct Program expenses

➢ Tuition and fees

➢ Case management/career navigation

➢ Supervised job search assistance

➢ Job development

*Does not include participant reimbursements

➢50/50 Funds

➢Administrative expenses including

implementation & operations (100% can be

used)

➢Direct program expenses (100% can be used)

➢ Tuition and fees

➢ Case management/navigation

➢ Supervised job search assistance

➢ Job development/job retention

➢Participant Reimbursements/Supportive

Services

1. E&T plan approved, Federal funds authorized

2. State/County agency grant award document

3. State/County agency billed by provider 4. State/County agency

draws down funding

5. State/County agency issues payment

How Funding Flows

What is a Third-Party Partner?

➢Also referred to as third-party reimbursement program or 50/50 reimbursement program

➢E&T services are provided by third parties, such as community colleges and community-based organizations (CBOs)

➢Partners provide approved E&T services to eligible CalFresh E&T participants

➢Partners pay for services with non-federal dollars and get up to 50% reimbursed through federal funding

Third-Party Partner: Needed Capacities

Eligible Non-Federal Funds

➢State, County, City funds

➢Private donations

➢Foundation funds

➢Social venture revenue

➢Community development block grants (CDBG)

➢In-kind (government entities only)

➢State worker retraining dollars

➢Low-income student support

➢Tuition set-aside resources

➢Other State training funds (ex-offender, homeless, non-custodial parents)

CalFresh E&T Referrals and Eligibility Verification

➢Direct Referral

➢County CalFresh agency identifies eligible individuals to participate in CalFresh E&T

➢Refers to services offered by a third-party partner

➢Reverse Referral

➢Third-party provider (CBO/college) identifies an individual who is potentially CalFresh E&T

eligible

➢Verifies eligibility with County CalFresh agency and requests that the recipient be referred

into CalFresh E&T

➢County CalFresh agency must make the official CalFresh E&T referral and confirm

enrollment eligibility

*CalFresh E&T Eligible = Non-CalWORKs CalFresh recipient

Student Eligibility Rule

In general, students enrolled at least half time at an institution of higher education are not eligible for SNAP

Exemptions:

• Age, disability, receiving TANF, working 80+hours/ month, work study

• Placed in education activity through SNAP E&T or another E&T program meant for low-income individuals

Reference: 7 CFR 273.5

PELL Grants

Available to students with financial need who are part of a program that leads to an undergraduate certificate or degree.

Costs covered could include:

• Tuition and fees

• Books, supplies,

transportation, misc.

• Other living expenses

Common Questions for Third-Party Partners

➢Do I need to start a new program or begin serving new clients to receive funding?

No, you will be reimbursed for delivering many of your current services to your regular clients who become enrolled as CalFresh E&T participants when using eligible non-federal funds

➢How can I use the FNS funds that I'm reimbursed for?

Funds can be used to expand and serve additional CalFreshE&T participants and generate future E&T reimbursement

California’s Commitment to CalFresh E&T

California’s support at the State level:

➢CA. Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) has developed a CalFresh

E&T unit to facilitate the growth and quality of CalFresh E&T

Services

➢CDSS is developing an accessible CalFresh E&T website to

support Counties and third party providers

➢The updated regional WIOA plans include collaboration between

CA Workforce Development Boards and CalFresh E&T

CalFresh E&T Example: Alameda County

Alameda County Social Services; CalFresh E&T program

➢Nine third-party partners/CBOs

2019/20 goals

➢Community college

➢Local workforce development board (WDB) partnership

➢Additional CBO partners

SJI assisted Alameda County 2016/17 via CalFresh to Skills

Workforce Development Boards (WDB) and CalFresh E&T

WDBs can assume the following roles:

➢Referral partner

➢Jointly serve and co-enroll participants (WIOA/CalFresh E&T)

➢Intermediary role

➢Third-party partner

Each role involves working in partnership with the local County CalFresh Department

CalFresh E&T Challenges

Can be administratively complex:

➢Must verify CalFresh eligibility

➢Anticipating service levels throughout the year

➢Tracking non-federal funding sources

➢Financing can be especially difficult for smaller CBOs

Benefits of 50/50 Partnerships

➢Partnerships create better programs and outcomes

➢State can scale CalFresh E&T and serve a larger number of participants in need

➢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

RFQ Contact Information

Tina Knight, MA

HSA Administrative Manager, Grants & Contracts

805 477-5442

Tina.Knight@ventura.org