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. 11. The relationship between the State agency and other organizations it plans to coordinate with for the provision of services, including organizations in the Statewide workforce development system, if available. Copies of contracts must be available for inspection;
Current Narrative:
Arkansas has a wide range of partners in our workforce development system including Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Adult Education Section of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Arkansas Community Colleges and non-profit organizations are all large contributors to the system.
Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (DWS) (http://dws.arkansas.gov/index.htm) is the state's primary workforce service. Their vision is to strengthen the economic well-being of all Arkansans and their communities. Their mission is to enable Arkansas' workforce to compete in the global economy by linking a comprehensive array of services for employers and job seekers.
Both of these statements are aligned with the Arkansas SNAP Employment and Training Program vision and goals thus making them an integral partner for a successful E&T Program for our state.
Through DWS, Arkansas is able to connect with services through the Workforce Development Board (WDB) as well as the services offered under the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) to help those at risk Able-Bodied Adults maintain SNAP eligibility while gaining skills necessary for success. The state agency refers SNAP participants to DWS to explain the benefits of the Snap Employment and Training Program to schedule an assessment interview. The state agency has a region by region agreement with DWS to allow SNAP clients to use WIOA as a qualifying activity. DWS notifies local county offices if a SNAP participant is engaged in WIOA based job search.
Connection to SNAP E&T, components offered through such system, career pathways, and credentials available:
Through a proposed broad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Arkansas Division of County Operations (DCO) and DWS, we have identified the following possible areas for collaboration:
• A reverse referral process from DWS to DHS for RTW compliance.
• A potential for DWS to operate independent E & T programs in agreed upon locations with no timetable.
• A potential to work with DWS on targeted subsidized employment project(s).
Currently, the DHS SNAP E&T program is implemented through local providers who have the capacity to offer a core of program components: Supervised Job Search, Job Search Training, Employment Counseling, GED/Basic Remedial Education, and English as a Second Language, Work Experience, On the Job Training, and Occupational & Vocational training.
Additionally, Providers will assist clients who secure employment with job retention supportive services. Supportive services may include case management (such as comprehensive intake assessments, individualized service plans, progress monitoring, and coordination with service providers), early intervention, reimbursements for travel and childcare, and referrals to other partners. The DHS Central Office SNAP unit provides initial and follow-up training to all E&T providers on how to operate the program, and on required reporting. All providers are instructed on, how to use the SNAP E&T Provider Handbook (attachment 2), SNAP E&T Policy (attachment I), reporting requirements.
SNAP E&T partners can access information about high demand target industries and emerging industries through the AR Economic Development Commission at www.discoverarkansas.net, Arkansas has assessed 23 potential partners with at least 7 of these assessments indicating having access to workforce information, and have specific career paths that incorporate an employment plan to include wrap-around temporary supportive services that lead to specific credentials available to SNAP E&T participants.
In April 2017 the DHS Office of Community Engagement and Faith- based Partnerships launched a new volunteer portal - www.VolunterAR.org .This portal provides Arkansans with a central way to find volunteer opportunities all across the state; assist nonprofits in Arkansas in the recruitment of volunteers to address critical social issues; track volunteer and community engagement; educate the public about critical social issues and attainable outcomes; and promote volunteerism and community engagement.
The portal will be a tool for E&T contractors, as well as SNAP E&T participants, allowing them access activities available in their areas to help them meet required participation hours, and to continue with the SNAP. Credentials or Certifications offered through current E&T providers include: GED, Forklift Operator, Career Readiness Certification (CRC), Administrative Assistant, Customer Service, Environmental Services Technician, Digital Literacy, Workforce Alliance For Growth in the Economy (WAGE), Employability, Customer Service I, Customer Service II, Office Technology (formerly Clerical), Bank Teller, Industrial Technology (welding, heating, ventilation, HVAC), Computer Basics, Workplace Education, Nursing Track, Advanced Manufacturing, and educational opportunities.
Each E&T provider reports on participation by Able Bodied Adults or Non- Able-Bodied Adults to the Division of County Operations (DCO) described later.
Any SNAP participant who is classified as an Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents, and who lives in a county where an E&T Program is operational will be referred through SNAP Works, the management information system for Arkansas SNAP Employment and Training. We also send letters nightly to our E&T Referrals with the contact information of providers in their county when a case action takes place that requires a referral.