Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
title
Grant Award from Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training
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Recommendation
recommendation
1. Ratify the submittal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Local Area Plan/grant application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training in the amount of $236,000.
2. Accept a grant award of $98,265 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
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, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments to agreements in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
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Background
background
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) is a voluntary program, however, 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.
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is required to provide SNAP E&T services and submit an annual Local Area Plan to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (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 Local Area Plan, a timely Request for Board Action was not feasible.
On July 27, 2020, with the approval of Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) of Ramsey County, Workforce Solutions submitted the SNAP E&T Local Area Plan to DHS with a request for funding of $236,000. The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners was then advised by memo of Workforce Solutions’ intent to bring a Request for Board Action to the County Board upon receiving notice of the funding award.
On September 17, 2020, Workforce Solutions was allocated $98,354 from DHS, which is a slight increase from last year’s initial allocation of $98,265. This year DHS has an allocation of $554,603 to be distributed to counties. 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 federal fiscal year, Workforce Solutions received a total allocation of $287,708, which was able to fully fund the SNAP E&T program.
The funds will be used to serve up to 500 SNAP E&T participants for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021, and will cover transportation costs (bus/gas cards), employment and education-related expenses, such as work clothes, work tools, books, and testing fees.
In addition, Workforce Solutions will assess and refer interested participants to local SNAP E&T providers and work collectively with local colleges, community-based organizations, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs and others to leverage funding streams and help participants secure education and employment.end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
x Well-being x 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 of color and indigenous. The current demographic for SNAP E&T participants include 35% African American, 47% white, 6% Asian, 3% American Indian, 3% multi-race and 6% unidentified.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The plan 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.
x Inform x Consult x Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The grant allocation will fund all program costs and is included in the 2020-2021 operating budget. The potential exists for additional funding to be received from DHS mid-year.
County Manager Comments
County Board approval is required to submit local area plans, grant applications and to accept grant awards over $100,000.
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/>.
Last Previous Action
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).
On November 6, 2018, the County Board authorized an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human services to provide SNAP E&T services (Resolution B2018-286).
Attachments
1. Memorandum to the County Board
2. SNAP E&T Local Area Plan/Grant Application
3. Allocation Award