Located in:
- Employment and Training Programs Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Programs Authorized Under Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)))
- a. General Requirements [27]
The State agency must prepare and submit an Employment and Training (E&T) Plan to its appropriate Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional Office. The E&T Plan must be available for public inspection at the State agency headquarters. A State agency may include its plan for the SNAP E&T program in a Combined Plan under WIOA but will require FNS approval prior to implementation and must continue to make a copy of the plan available for public inspection. If a State includes SNAP E&T in a Combined Plan under WIOA, the State agency will detail the following for each year covered by the Combined Plan:
[27] 7 CFR § 273.7(c)(6)
- a. General Requirements [27]
a. 1. The nature of the E&T components the State agency plans to offer and the reasons for such components, including cost information. The methodology for State agency reimbursement for education components must be specifically addressed. If a State agency plans to offer supervised job search in accordance with paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, the State agency must also include in the E&T plan a summary of the State guidelines implementing supervised job search. This summary of the State guidelines, at a minimum, must describe: The criteria used by the State agency to approve locations for supervised job search, an explanation of why those criteria were chosen, and how the supervised job search component meets the requirements to directly supervise the activities of participants and track the timing and activities of participants;
Current Narrative:
- The nature of the E&T components the State agency plans to offer and the reasons for such components, including cost information. The methodology for State agency reimbursement for education components must be specifically addressed;
- SNAP, which is referred to as Food Stamps in Missouri, will keep the combined state plan at the Missouri Department of Social Service Family Support Division’s main office: 615 Howerton Court; Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. This plan is and will continue to be available for review upon request.
- The Department of Social Services (DSS), DSS Work and Community Programs administers SkillUP. The mission of the Department of Social Services is to maintain or improve the quality of life for Missouri citizens. The DSS Work and Community Programs’ mission is to maintain and strengthen Missouri families.
- SkillUP is Missouri’s Employment and Training (E&T) program for Food Stamp recipients. SkillUP provides job search, job search training, education, skills training, intensive case management, and supportive services to Food Stamp recipients not participating in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
- The DSS Work and Community Programs has contracts or agreements with Missouri’s Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS), Missouri Community Action Network (Missouri CAN), Mississippi Caring Communities (MCC), MERS Goodwill Excel Centers (Adult High Schools) to operate SkillUP. In addition, services are provided through MWA providers including Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Family Workforce Centers of America (FWCA), and Better Family Life (BFL).
- All of the partners utilize the Division of Workforce Development’s (DWD) case management system called MoJobs to serve SkillUP participants. Providers identify potential SkillUP participants in MoJobs as DSS Work and Community Programs interfaces with this system to provide all Volunteers/ABAWDs and case closures. All providers verify the client is eligible through the MoJobs system which reflects eligible participants. If there are any questions regarding potential eligibility, providers contact DSS Work and Community Programs for eligibility verification. If the person is not eligible, providers will refer clients to the Job Center of the client’s choice and other community resources.
- The DSS Work and Community Programs service model for FY2020 continues to focus on providing services to the unemployed and under-employed that results in rapid attachment to work and reduces or effectively eliminates the need for public assistance. In instances where a participant requires training or a certificate for a specific skillset, provider continue to utilize short term classes.
- All SkillUP participants must complete an intake process that is documented in MoJobs including: completing an employability assessment; receiving Labor Market Information (LMI) and beginning an Employment Plan.
- Components offered are:
Non-Education, Non-Work Components
Job Search Training
- Description of Component: This component strives to enhance the job readiness of participants by providing instruction in job seeking techniques and increasing motivation and self–confidence. This may consist of employability assessments, job placement services, or other direct training or support activities. The job search training component may combine job search activities with other training and support activities.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count):
- Anticipated monthly cost:
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that obtained employment within 2 months
- % who started component but were later referred to another component
Supervised Job Search
- Description of Component: Supervised Job Search – The contractor staff provide supervised job search at state approved locations. All state approved locations are under contract through DSS Work and Community Programs either directly or as a sub-recipient. This job search may be routinely offered based on need. This component should be appropriately paired with other components based on the participant’s need. However, it is understood that in certain instances this may be the right path for the participant as a stand-alone component.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count): 19
- Anticipated monthly cost: $285
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that obtained employment within 2 months
Job Retention Services
- Description of Component: All providers make a good faith effort to contact participants who obtain employment within the first 30 days after employment. In addition, all providers enroll eligible E&T participants in the job retention component, including providing information on what services can be provided once a job is obtained. Participants develop a rapport with their case managers and often contact them post-employment, in addition to MoJobs tracking the participant for 90 days post exit. DSS Work and Community Programs has access to all reports in MoJobs and periodically does desk monitoring on different areas. Job retention services may include follow-ups, transportation related expenses and work related expenses.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count): 10
- Anticipated monthly cost: $200
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that retained employment beyond 90 days
Education Components Education
- Description of Component: This component includes educational programs or activities to improve basic skills and increase employability. Such programs include Adult Basic Education (ABE), basic literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), HiSET, and post-secondary education. The purpose of post-secondary education is academic and the curriculum is designed primarily for students who are beyond the compulsory age for high school. Only educational components that establish a direct link to job–readiness can be approved. Federal E&T funds cannot take the place of nonfederal (i.e. State, local) funds for existing educational services. Federal financial participation for operating education components may be authorized only for costs that exceed the normal cost of services provided to persons not participating in SkillUP.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs and Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count): 10
- Anticipated monthly cost: $2,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): Course completion, Wages from the 2nd and 4th quarter after exiting the program
Vocational Training
- Description of Component: The Vocational Training component improves employability of participants by providing training in a specific skill or trade that allows the participant to move directly into employment. Participants who enroll in this training can receive a credential, certificate, or may have to complete additional trainings before certification.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count): 25
- Anticipated monthly cost: $25,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): Course completion, Wages from the 2nd and 4th quarter after exiting the program
Work Components
Entrepreneurial Training
- Description of Component: This component improves the employability of participants by providing training in setting up and operating a small business or other self-employment venture. Participants in this component must be assessed thoroughly to determine they have the ability to build, maintain and grow a small business while gaining financial independence. A detailed business plan including all costs associated with starting a new business must be contained in the Employment Plan.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count):
- Anticipated monthly cost:
- Provider(s) of component: Contracted with all Providers
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): Course Completion, Wages from the 2nd and 4th quarter after exiting the program
Work Based Learning
- Description of Component: Work-based learning is designed to improve the employability of participants through actual work experience and/or training and to enable them to move into regular employment. Work experience assignments may not replace the employment of a regularly employed individual. Participants in on-the-job training or individuals employed in programs and activities under this title shall be provided benefits and working conditions at the same level and to the same extent as other trainees or employees working a similar length of time and doing the same type of work. It is permissible to place SkillUP participants in work experience positions with public and private sector entities. This may include, On-the-Job training paid to the employer through SkillUP. DSS Work and Community Programs will not use E&T funds to subsidize the wages of E&T participants.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: Volunteers
- Anticipated monthly participants (unduplicated count): 1
- Anticipated monthly cost: $200
- Provider(s) of component: Contracted with all Providers
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): Wages from the 2nd and 4th quarter after exiting the program