Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
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Grant Award from Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Workplan/grant application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training.
2. Authorize the acceptance and expenditure of grant awarded funds of $126,794 for FFY2022 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute the Grant Allocation Award.
4. Authorize the County Manager to apply for and accept additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and contracts and execute amendments to agreements and contracts in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
6. Authorize the County Manager to make temporary transfers, as needed, from the County General Fund to Workforce Solutions to cover program expenses until program funds are received, with repayment to be made upon receipt of the funds.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County Workforce Solutions administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) for all eligible Ramsey County residents on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Workforce Solutions’ goal is to help SNAP E&T eligible residents fully utilize their SNAP benefits, gain essential skills needed for gainful employment, and successfully transition off public assistance.
SNAP E&T is a voluntary program which requires active participation in order to continue receiving ongoing food benefits. SNAP E&T provides employment and training services to single adults without children and low-income families who are not eligible for other public assistance programs.
SNAP participants are offered SNAP E&T activities such as job search, coordination and referral to vocational training and other social services that will improve their employment prospects.
Workforce Solutions is required to provide SNAP E&T services and submit an annual Workplan to DHS in order to receive funds to operate the SNAP E&T program. Due to the tight timeline provided by DHS for the submission of the SNAP E&T Workplan, a timely Request for Board Action was not feasible.
On July 8, 2021, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners was advised by memo of Workforce Solutions’ intent to bring a Request for Board Action to the Ramsey County Board upon receiving notice of the funding award.
On July 9, 2021, with the approval of Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) of Ramsey County, Workforce Solutions submitted the SNAP E&T Workplan to DHS with a request for funding of $347,621.
On October 4, 2021, Workforce Solutions was allocated $126,794 ($86,794 for SNAP 100 and support services and an additional $40,000 for SNAP 50/50) from DHS, which is a decrease from last year’s initial allocation of $142,288 ($100,000 SNAP 100 & Support Services and $50,000 SNAP 50/50). This year DHS has an allocation of $1,183,417 to be distributed to counties and tribes for SNAP 100. This continuous yearly allocation is based on a formula created by DHS which takes into account the number cases in Ramsey County, increased allocations to additional MN counties to provide SNAP E&T and funding available to DHS from the United States Department of Agriculture. Aside from the initial allocation, if additional funding is available, counties can request for additional funds. Last program year, Workforce Solutions received a total allocation of $345,895 which was able to fully fund the SNAP E&T program.
The funds will be used to serve up to 220 SNAP E&T participants for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 and will cover transportation costs (bus/gas cards), employment and education-related expenses, such as work clothes, work tools, books, and testing fees.
For more information on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training Program, please visit <https://mn.gov/dhs/snap-e-and-t/>.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Upon approval, funding will be used to serve low-income Ramsey County residents who are receiving food support benefits that are referred for SNAP E&T. The SNAP E&T program primarily supports people with multiple barriers to employment by assisting with essential case coordination, employment services, job search skill building and placement, and referrals to training services. Additionally, SNAP E&T serves participants who work in low-wage jobs to advance their careers. In Ramsey County, about half of those served are people who are racially and ethnically diverse and indigenous. The current demographic for SNAP E&T participants includes 45% African American, 50% White and 5% multi-race.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Workplan requires approval by the WIB. Workforce Solutions is working with metro counties to share ideas to improve SNAP E&T programming and will gather input from program participants to improve SNAP E&T services and resources to the participants.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The grant allocations of $126,794 for FFY2022 will fund SNAP E&T 100 ($78,711), SNAP E&T 50/50 ($40,000), and SNAP E&T Support Services (additional $6,042 for a total of $8,083. $2,041 was previously accepted via Resolution B2020-205).
Historically, the potential exists for additional funding to be received from DHS mid-year FFY2022.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On October 20, 2020, the Ramsey County Board authorized an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human services to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Services (Resolution B2020-205).
On November 5, 2019, the County Board authorized an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human services to provide SNAP E&T services (Resolution B2019-251).
Attachments
1. Memorandum to the Ramsey County Board
2. SNAP E&T Workplan
3. Allocation Award