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                USDA.gov 2020 SNAP E&T National Forum
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              SNAP Employment and Training
      
SNAP E&T Forum 2020
The 2020 SNAP E&T National Forum, hosted by USDA on Oct. 13-15, 2020, brought together 1700 SNAP E&T stakeholders from across the country to share and learn best practices for promoting and increasing employment among SNAP households through state SNAP E&T programs. Plans for another forum in fiscal year 2022 are already underway. Click the links below to view the recordings from the Forum sessions.Tuesday, October 13Opening and WelcomeBrandon Lipps, Deputy Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer ServicesJessica Shahin, Administrator, Food and Nutrition ServiceMoira Johnston, Director, Office of Employment and Training, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition ServiceRegional Administrators:Pat Dombroski, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (MARO)Patricia Solis (Acting), Midwest Regional Office (MWRO)Cheryl Kennedy, Mountain Plains Regional Office (MPRO)Kurt Messner, Northeast Regional Office (NERO)Willie Taylor, Southeast Regional Office (SERO)Bill Ludwig, Southwest Regional Office (SWRO)Jesus Mendoza, Jr., Western Regional Office (WRO)One Workforce: A Federal-State Partnership Initiative for InnovationThis session is an opportunity to hear from agency leadership from the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Labor. The session will focus on ways federal programs can break down silos, align services, and integrate workforce development programs to meet people where they are and move families forward toward self-sufficiency.Brandon Lipps, U.S. Department of AgricultureClarence H. Carter, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesLynn Johnson, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesJohn Pallasch, U.S. Department of LaborBreakout SessionsAre You There? Virtual and Hybrid Case Management that Goes the DistanceCase management services serve a critical function in a state's SNAP E&T program, ensuring that participants have what they need to be successful and are connected to the right mix of services. Due to the challenges of COVID-19, state SNAP agencies and E&T providers have had to reimagine how they can bring the same personal touch to a virtual environment. Attend this session to learn the techniques, challenges, and successes that three E&T programs have encountered as they shifted to virtual (and hybrid) case management.SpeakersJoette Johnson, Capital Community CollegeWendy Andino-Williams, Capital Community CollegeDeborah Reed-Cole, South Carolina Department of Social ServicesBrenda Jones, Employment Security Department, Okanogan CountyExpanding Pathways to Self-Sufficiency: Experiences Scaling National ModelsThe core principle of a SNAP E&T program is to help individuals build a better, more sustainable future for themselves and their families. In this session, two workforce development experts will highlight their training programs and explain how they were able to expand their national program model across multiple states, creating better lives for SNAP participants in the process.SpeakersRenee Martin, Vice President, National Initiatives, FareStartMaurice Motley, Colorado Springs Director, Center for Employment OpportunitiesSNAP to Skills - Four Years of Lessons Learned on SNAP E&T OperationsFNS and the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI) will share the lessons they learned through four years of working to help operationalize, expand and improve SNAP E&T programs in dozens of states through the SNAP to Skills Project. Participants will learn about promising practices and common pitfalls to avoid in SNAP E&T program development from both the state agency and provider perspectives. SJI will discuss how these promising practices apply to strengthening programs even in today’s uncertain climate. This session is most appropriate for those in states in earlier stages of SNAP E&T program development who want to see their programs advance as effectively and efficiently as possible.SpeakersBri Nguyen, Seattle Jobs InitiativeBob Thibodeau, Seattle Jobs InitiativeNick Codd, Seattle Jobs InitiativeMarcie Foster, Senior Technical Advisor, Office of Employment and Training, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureUsing SNAP E&T to Expand Post Pandemic Employment ServicesSNAP E&T 50/50 funds are an underutilized resource for increasing workforce development capacity and strengthening community-based organizations. SNAP E&T, as an uncapped federal resource, should be a primary option for governments attempting to mitigate COVID-19 related funding losses. Participants will learn how San Diego County successfully scaled its E&T program, identified and engaged new partners, and increased SNAP E&T reimbursement. Participants will learn to develop a SNAP E&T vision; integrate SNAP E&T with existing workforce services; identify and evaluate potential partner agencies; create a reimbursement methodology that accurately calculates the reimbursement and maximizes return; and build strong and lasting partnerships.SpeakersAaron Korn, Public Consulting GroupAndy Hall, San Diego Workforce PartnershipAssmaa Elyyat, Agency Operations Chief, San Diego CountyFederal and State Employment Collaboration: An E&T Success Story in KansasThis is the story of how an unlikely partnership led to life changing opportunities for SNAP participants. In this session, we hear how the Kansas E&T program partnered with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and how that successful collaboration has given SNAP participants in Kansas the necessary skills sets and the pathway to move forward toward sustainable employment. A special guest appearance by an E&T participant now working as an FSIS inspector will be included.SpeakersRuth Tipton, Assistant Director FAE&T and Special Projects, Kansas Department for Children and FamiliesDr. Evan Sumner, Deputy District Manager, Food Safety and Inspection ServiceLiz Simmons, Management Analyst, Food Safety and Inspection ServiceLisa Strunk , Employment & Training Program Administrator, Kansas Department for Children and FamiliesWednesday, October 14Plenary Session: Inspiring Hope and Overcoming Hurdles with SNAP Employment and Traini**ng**SNAP E&T programs provide more than just a way for SNAP recipients to meet work requirements and find a job. Quality E&T providers instill hope in their participants by providing holistic/wrap around services that lead to pathways out of poverty towards a future of economic opportunity and self-sufficiency. SNAP E&T participants come from a variety of backgrounds, have experienced hardships, and face numerous obstacles that can make it difficult from them to actively participate, remain engaged, and complete their employment and training programs. Assessing for and addressing barriers such as a lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills, limited resources for transportation, and lack of dependent care is critical to ensuring that people are successful. Hear from SNAP E&T programs about the strategies that they employ to meet the needs of their participants by helping them overcome these barriers to success.SpeakersJoAnn Mattson, Light HouseElaine Carroll, JARC-BaltimoreDaiquiri Anderson, Maryland Department of Human ServicesBreakout SessionsConnecting to Employers without Reinventing the WheelEach state's workforce development system collects and uses labor market information (LMI) to assist the state and providers in making strategic, data-driven decisions about which employers to engage and how to recruit, train, and place employment and training participants. Learn how state SNAP agencies can partner with the WIOA system as they design E&T programs to ensure that SNAP participants are connected to employer-driven programs.SpeakersMatthew Waltz, WRTP/BIG STEPDoug Howard, MaximusGetting the Word Out: Improving SNAP NoticesThe policies surrounding SNAP work requirements can be complex. Communicating them in print can be a challenge, especially when households' circumstances vary. These communications are all the more important now, when there are fewer opportunities for SNAP applicants and clients to receive explanations in person. This session will share new materials and tools that were developed through FNS' SNAP Notices Improvement Project that helps states develop clear and actionable notices to communicate about SNAP work requirements, including SNAP E&T.Elizabeth Weber, Associate Director of Policy and Program Development, Insight Policy ResearchMiles Patrie, Analyst, Certification Policy Branch, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureAlfred Tuttle, Survey Methodologist, Center for Behavioral Science Methods, U.S. Census BureauServing and Engaging ABAWDS through SNAP E&TAble Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDS) are a critical population among state SNAP E&T programs. States often have challenges identifying and engaging these individuals as they help them connect to valuable employment and training services that can lead to employment opportunities. Learn from states and providers who are finding ways to meet the needs of ABAWDS by building strong relationships in the community and providing targeted services.SpeakersKelly Tessitore, Jewish Vocational Services-BostonPhilip Schuchert Jewish Vocational Services-BostonJohn Briscoe, Oregon Department of Human ServicesCorinna Adams, Washington State Department of Social and Health ServicesInnovations in the Management and Operations of SNAP E&T ProgramsAs SNAP E&T grows across the country, states continue to innovate and experiment to ever-changing demands, economies, and environments. This session will give insight on two organizations' new approaches to bring positive change to the management and operation of their E&T programs.SpeakersAnastasia Polda, SNAP Employment and Training Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Human ServicesAnn Meyers, Adult Career Pathways Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic DevelopmentGreg Ericksen, REDFManie Grewel, Head of Policy, REDFRyan Dean, FareStartJay McIntyre, Central City ConcernUsing Human-Centered Design to Increase Engagement in SNAP E&TPutting the individual at the core of service delivery is key to successful SNAP E&T programs. Attend this session to gain insight about behavioral science and how states can put these concepts into practice to tailor engagement, messaging, independence planning and promote participation in SNAP E&T programs.SpeakersClinton Key, Research Associate, Center for Applied Behavioral Science, MDRCJason Dunn, Director, Division of Family Support, Department for Community Based Services, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family ServicesDavid Glenn, Deloitte Digital, Specialist Master, Human-Centered Design Lead Commonwealth of KentuckyRuth Tipton, Assistant Director FA E&T and Special Projects, Kansas Department for Children and FamiliesJenny Welch Buller, Research Project Manager, Center for Public Partnerships and Research, University of KansasCareer Services – A Customized Approach to the Labor Market and Employer RelationshipsState SNAP agencies need to understand their local labor market(s) and have strong relationships with employers. There are unique challenges to employer relationships in rural and small urban areas including larger geographic areas with smaller pockets of employers, lack of public transportation access and low-level awareness of the full labor market. In this session, attendees will learn how CW Solutions and Wood County Human Services Department addressed these challenges and how they can implement this approach within their own organization.SpeakersThomas Prete, CW SolutionsMelissa Walsh, CW SolutionsMegan Stanchick, CW SolutionsRonda Seubert, CW SolutionsLacey Piekarski, Employment & Training Manager, Wood County Human Services DepartmentCOVID-19 – Looking Back and Moving Forward – Reflections on SNAP E&T from State AgenciesThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented situation, requiring rapid action to mobilize and adjust services in nearly every sector of human services, including in SNAP E&T. Now, nearly ten months after the pandemic's emergence, state agencies have taken this opportunity to reflect on their efforts to immediately transition to a mobile workforce and engage in creative solutions to continue providing meaningful services throughout the pandemic. This session will include representatives from state human service agencies and policy staff from the American Public Human Services Association discussing lessons learned from COVID-19 and their plans for moving forward.SpeakersMary Nelson, Policy Associate, American Public Human Services AssociationAshley Snyder, SNAP E&T Expansion Specialist, Minnesota Department of Human ServicesBridgette A. Acklin, Supervisory Vocational Development Specialist, SNAP E&T Program, DC Department of Human ServicesKristen Halverson, Program Coordinator, Tennessee Department of Human ServicesSuzie Miller, Workforce Programs Manager, Arapahoe/Douglas WorksBrittany Polinski, Program Manager - Employment First, Denver Human ServicesGoing from Plain Vanilla to the Cherry on Top: Maximizing the Power of IntermediariesFederal and private non-profit presenters for this session will provide insights and examples about how using “intermediaries” in a state SNAP E&T program can provide value to states by increasing the program's resources, providing technical assistance, and onboarding new providers. Intermediaries can also influence state program policy and identify necessary system enhancements, increasing efficiencies, and ultimately improving performance outcomes.SpeakersJenny Taylor, Vice President, Career Services, Goodwill of North GeorgiaNick Espinosa, E&T Analyst, Southeast Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureJamene Dahmer, Senior Vice President, Long Term Recovery, United Way of Southeast LouisianaMike Williamson, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Southeast LouisianaMaking the Business Case: Employment Opportunities for the Long-Term UnemployedGiven the impacts of the global pandemic and unemployment at near historic levels, the need to hire the long-term unemployed is ever-increasing. This target demographic includes special populations such as Dislocated Workers, Returning Citizens, and Homeless, among others. Attendees will hear from effective programs and learn about resources that are available to help these individuals re-enter the workforce.SpeakersRobert Kight, Director, Adult Services and Workforce System, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of LaborGary Antonio, Chief Business Development Officer, NCIAKarima Rose, Ed.M., Executive Director, First Step StaffingEbonee Nelson, Regional Workforce Development Training Lead, NCIASocial Distancing as a Skill Set in a COVID EnvironmentThe current COVID-19 outbreak is a global crisis and an opportunity for leaders to support their customers and communities. COVID has created waves that are rippling through the economy with record high unemployment and industry-specific effects that disproportionately impact low-income workers. Leading in a caring, empathetic manner during these difficult times has the potential to create real connections that will outlive the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Socially conscious organizations across sectors and geographies are finding ways to get involved and support their customers and communities. Attend this session to learn about strategies the panelists have incorporated in their organization's service delivery models to continue operations for SNAP E&T participants into what may be the “new normal.”SpeakersJames Sanchez, Goodwill of ColoradoCandice Sporhase-White, Goodwill of ColoradoLes Johnson, ARCHSSteven Ingram, Better Family LifeRamona Mundwiller, Missouri Community College AssociationThursday, October 15Closing Plenary and Q&A with the Food and Nutrition ServiceBrandon Lipps, Deputy Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer ServicesJessica Shahin, Administrator, Food and Nutrition ServiceBreakout SessionsBuilding Partnerships across Workforce and Human Service Systems to Serve SNAP E&T ParticipantsStakeholders of SNAP E&T have a responsibility to our clients to serve and support our vulnerable populations by helping them easily enter the workforce. This panel highlights ways that states and providers can partner across workforce and human service systems to help SNAP participants connect to employment opportunities.SpeakersDana Alfred, MaximusTara Williams, Pennsylvania Department of Human ServicesMarsha Sloan, Sunrise County Economic Council, Family Futures DowneastKim Runion, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human ServicesStrategies to Move People Forward in Rural AreasNearly 20% of people living in the U.S. are in rural areas and these groups often face unique challenges accessing critical workforce services and employment. During this session, two seasoned SNAP E&T providers will share information about how their program design gets results while focusing on the specific needs of populations in rural areas.SpeakersKatie Hogarty, Director of External Relations, Climb WyomingMolly Kruger, Director of Programs and Systems, Climb WyomingClint Cummings, Extension Specialist – Skill Up Tennessee, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Tennessee-ExtensionHow Community College Systems and SNAP Agencies Can Take Career Pathways to ScaleOregon's Community College STEP Consortium is a first-of-its-kind project intended to provide meaningful career pathway opportunities and supports to SNAP recipients at each of the 17 community colleges across the state. This $8 million initiative has more than doubled the number of SNAP students receiving critical success coaching and student supports - including tuition, tools, and books - and has established a solid foundation for expansion in the years ahead. In this session, panelists will discuss the unique systems-level partnership that has sustained this effort, provide insights on how other states can use SNAP E&T scale up their own statewide career pathways strategies, and highlight policy reforms at the federal and state level that could enhance the success of these partnerships.SpeakersKate Kinder, Career Pathways and Skills Training Director, Portland Community CollegeDan Haun, Director of Self-Sufficiency Programs, Oregon Department of Human ServicesAmy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Fellow, National Skills CoalitionKermit Kaleba, Managing Director, Policy, National Skills CoalitionLessons Learned Starting Up and Scaling SNAP E&T PartnershipsAs a state's SNAP E&T program expands, so does its operational complexity. What worked for managing a handful of E&T providers may not work for managing dozens of providers across the state. To manage growth efficiently, states and organizations must develop new processes and procedures to maintain compliance with federal program requirements and ensure program integrity. Speakers from this session will share insights about the operational considerations and lessons learned when scaling a 50/50 partnership at the state, county, or system-level.SpeakersEmily Dean, The Center for Employment OpportunitiesEileen Peltier, Connecticut Community College SystemDavid Kaz, Seattle Jobs InitiativeThe Employment Landscape for SNAP Participants in a Post Pandemic WorldDue to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, low-wage workers have seen an unprecedented loss of employment and a drastically changing work environment. Many employment opportunities for SNAP participants may never come back. How does a SNAP E&T program adapt to this new reality? We'll look at the latest information on unemployment and the labor market—who is struggling to find work and what barriers do they face—in order to understand what kinds of services and supports from E&T providers can help SNAP participants gain or regain employment. This information can be helpful in planning and designing E&T programs in the new reality.SpeakersEd Bolen, Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesAngela Rachidi, American Enterprise InstituteBraiding Services for the Best OutcomesIn this session, presenters from the Missouri workforce development system will share how they communicate available resources to the customer, and how they use the customer information to decide which partners to convene to achieve the best outcome. They will discuss the benefits of braiding services, provide examples of successful partnerships, and share the importance of communication at all levels. Attendees will also hear how the panelists navigate multiple complex funding streams from WIOA, TANF, and outside grants as well as the resources the partners bring to the table, using technology to achieve these goals.SpeakersDiane Simbro, Executive Director, Northeast Missouri Workforce Development BoardSally Payne, Interim Director, Workforce Development for City of Springfield, Ozark RegionJune O'Dell, President/COO of the Workforce Development Board of Southeast MissouriSNAP E&T Pilots: Lessons Learned from Offering Innovative SNAP E&T Services under Pilot ProjectsIn 2015, FNS awarded grants to 10 states to test innovative strategies for providing SNAP E&T services. The grantees established new partnerships, developed new activities (including intensive case management and subsidized employment), and created recruitment and engagement processes to enroll thousands of participants. This panel will describe the pilots' characteristics, and three grantees will share their experiences in planning and implementing their pilots. The panel will describe the successful strategies grantees used and the challenges they faced. Learning how grantees resolved these challenges can provide lessons to states as they strengthen and expand their SNAP E&T program services.SpeakersGretchen Rowe, Senior Researcher and Deputy Director for Nutrition Policy Research, MathematicaJames Mabli, Executive Director of Human Services, MathematicaFelicia Talbott, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) ProgramMarc Adams, Director of Research and Innovative Programs, EAP Program, Vermont Vocational Rehabilitation DepartmentTracy Collier, Program Improvement Manager, Children’s Integrated Services, Children’s Development Division, Vermont Department of Children and FamiliesHayley Turner-Lawyer, ICAN Program Manager, Vermont Department of Children and FamiliesTodd Trap, Assistant Director of the Division of Family Support, Kentucky Department for Community Based ServicesTargeting E&T Services to Unique SNAP PopulationsOne of the strengths of SNAP E&T is the opportunity to flexibly adapt services to meet the needs of diverse communities. This session will highlight unique approaches to customizing services to meet the needs of unique SNAP populations, such as older workers, unstably housed and homeless individuals, and English language learners.SpeakersKyle Wicks, America WorksMarsha Netus, America WorksJacqueline Chernoble, JVS-BostonLucinda Accime, JVS-BostonLucy Burriss, JVS-BostonDevin Hearns, AARP FoundationTreating the Whole Person: A Recipe for Long-Term SuccessMore than a quarter of SNAP work registrants report three or more barriers to obtaining and retaining employment. These are most often health issues, transportation, lack of education, and caring for a family member with health issues. This session focuses on the importance of E&T beyond just helping participants find a job. Hear the experiences from three different faith-based organizations on how they have helped SNAP participants assess their comprehensive needs and identify long-term strategies for success.SpeakersJames Kelly, Executive Director, Covenant HouseJanet Simmons, President and CEO, HOPE MinistriesDavid Tidwell, Director, HOPE MinistriesPage updated: November 03, 2023


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