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:
SNAP, formally 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), Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives (OWCI) administers SkillUP. The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. The DSS Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives’ mission is to maintain and strengthen Missouri families.
SkillUP is Missouri’s Employment and Training (E&T) program for SNAP recipients. SkillUP provides job search, job search training, education, skills training, intensive case management, and supportive services to SNAP recipients not participating in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
The Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives 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), Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri, and 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 Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s (DHEWD) case management system called MoJobs to serve SkillUP participants. Providers identify potential SkillUP participants in MoJobs as DSS Family Support Division (FSD) eligibility system interfaces with MoJobs 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 FSD or OWCI 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, Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives service model for FY2024 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, providers 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: ABAWDS & Volunteers
- Projected annual participants (unduplicated count): 900
- Estimated annual cost: $5,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that obtained employment within a year after component completion
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, 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: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 250
- Estimated annual cost: $2,083
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that have employment within a year after component completion at a higher wage
Job Retention Services
Description of Component: Providers make a good faith effort to contact participants who obtain employment within the first 30 days after employment. In addition, 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, but no longer than 90 days. Participants develop a rapport with their case managers and often contact them post-employment. In addition, MoJobs tracks the participant for 90 days post exit. OWCI 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: ABAWDS & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 150
- Estimated annual cost: $8,700
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that retained employment beyond 90 days
Education Components
Basic/Foundational Skills Instruction
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.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs and Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 750
- Estimated annual cost: $2,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that have employment within a year after component completion at a higher wage.
Career/Technical Education Programs or other 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: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 1,000
- Estimated annual cost: $25,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that have employment within a year after component completion at a higher wage.
Integrated Education and Training/Bridge Programs
Description of Component: A service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational and career advancement.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 1
- Estimated annual cost: $210
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, and BFL
Work Readiness Training
Work readiness training provides a number of commonly expected skills and behaviors that are necessary for any job. Work readiness skills are sometimes called soft skills, employability skills, or job readiness skills. This training will increase participant’s abilities to learn how to interact with supervisors and co-workers.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 200
- Estimated monthly cost: $2,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, ResCare, MERS Goodwill, LINC, FWCA, Workforce Development Boards, and BFL
- Outcome Reporting Measure(s): % of participants that have employment within a year after component completion at a higher wage.
Work Experience
Internship
Description of Component: An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a participant's field of study or career interest. An internship gives a participant the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills. All work experience components:
- Improve the employability of someone;
- Makes this improvement through actual work experience, or training, or both;
- Enables people to move promptly into regular or private employment;
- Contains a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace;
- Operates for a limited time;
- Is performed in private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector; and
- Follows the Fair Labor Standards.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 6
- Estimated annual cost: $6,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
Pre-Apprenticeship
Description of Component: Pre-apprenticeship is a program or set of services designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program. A pre-apprenticeship program, by definition, has a documented partnership with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program. Pre-Apprenticeships include:
- Improve the employability of someone;
- Makes this improvement through actual work experience, or training, or both;
- Enables people to move promptly into regular or private employment;
- Contains a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace;
- Operates for a limited time;
- Is performed in private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector; and
- Follows the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if there is an employee/employer relationship.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 6
- Estimated annual cost: $10,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL
Apprenticeship
Description of Component: An apprenticeship is an arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade, or job under another.
- Geographic area: Statewide
- Target audience: ABAWDs & Volunteers
- Projected annual participation (unduplicated count): 6
- Estimated annual cost: $10,000
- Provider(s) of component: MCCA, ARCHS, Equus, MERS Goodwill, LINC, Workforce Development Boards, SMWP, STEP, Missouri CAN and BFL