What is OK SNAP Works / SNAP Employment & Training?

Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the Employment & Training (E&T) program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants opportunities to gain skills, training, work or experience that increases their ability to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs.

OK SNAP Works is Oklahoma’s SNAP E&T program. Through OK SNAP Works, SNAP recipients can obtain employment skills and training to strengthen their employability. OK SNAP Works removes barriers to gainful employment through extensive partnerships with community-based organizations. Participation in the program must be free to the participant(s) – Oklahoma Human Services and providers bear any fiscal responsibility for the program.

Funding

OK SNAP Works is a federally funded program administered by the USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) division. OK SNAP Works operates a cost-reimbursement model, reimbursing SNAP E&T partners up to 50% of costs which are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to administering SNAP E&T services. Due to the program’s federal ties, OK SNAP Works cannot reimburse or supplant any federal awards such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), JobCorps, and ‘Ticket to Work’.

Provider Responsibilities

SNAP E&T providers have broad agency to operate their programs. However, there are several key responsibilities SNAP E&T providers must incorporate:

• Assess and place E&T clients in appropriate, allowable activities/components
  • Supervised Job Search or Job Search Training
  • Education (including Adult Basic Education and Career/Tech)
  • Work Experience
• Provide case management
  • Case management is a foundational aspect of SNAP E&T. All SNAP E&T providers are required to offer case management services to SNAP E&T participants. However, there is no specific criteria or methodology in the administration of case management services.
• Monthly tracking and reporting of client participation and allowable costs
• Issue participant reimbursements/supports
• Maintain records according to Federal and State grant rules

Steps to Becoming an E&T Provider

1. Complete and submit the OK SNAP Works - Prospective SNAP E&T Partner Request.
2. OK SNAP Works will review the Prospective SNAP E&T Partner Request.
   1. If not appropriate, OK SNAP Works will contact the applicant to discuss barriers to a potential partnership.
   2. If appropriate, OK SNAP Works will provide an OK SNAP Works Partnership Application to be completed.
3. Submit Application and Supporting Documentation
   1. Email the completed application and any supporting documentation to oksnapworks@okdhs.org, Michael.Minor@okdhs.org, and Joni.Jackson@okdhs.org.
4. Application Review
   1. The OK SNAP Works team will review the application within 10 business days of receipt.
5. Schedule a Partnership Meeting
   1. At the end of the 10-day review period, your organization will be contacted to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting. You will also receive a list of follow-up questions to prepare for the meeting.
6. Meeting & Evaluation
   1. Following the meeting, you will be notified within 5 business days whether your organization is determined to be a good fit as an OK SNAP Works provider. If approved, the OK SNAP Works team will request your organization draft a SNAP E&T budget.
7. State Plan/State Plan Amendment Process
   1. If your organization is determined to be a good fit, the OK SNAP Works team will begin the process of adding your organization to our State Plan. The State Plan must first be approved by OKDHS leadership and then submitted to our federal partners (FNS) for final approval. This process may take up to 60 days.
8. Contract Approval Process
   1. Once the amendment is approved, your organization will be contacted to start the contract approval process. This process may take up to 60 days. Upon contract approval, your partnership with OK SNAP Works can begin.

Important Notes:

·      Application Deadline: Due to time constraints, only one amendment per Fiscal Year will be submitted to add new partners. This amendment will be submitted no later than January 1^st.

·      Submission Cutoff Date: Applications must be submitted by December 1^st to be considered for the current fiscal year. Applications submitted after December 1^st will be considered for the next Fiscal Year.