State Institute applications are now closed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to announce the selected SNAP agencies for the 2023 State Institute, Mind the Gap: Building a Bridge from Vision to Outcomes in your SNAP E&T Program.

SNAP agencies representing 18 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will gather in Alexandria, Virginia on September 20th and 21st 2023 to work on assessing and strengthening their SNAP E&T programs with support from Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI), MDRC, Insight, and FNS. 

We congratulate these agencies for their commitment to improving their E&T programs and we look forward to collaborating with them in September to expand quality services and opportunities for SNAP recipients.

Here is a full list of participants: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia 

 

2023 SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program STATE INSTITUTE

Mind the Gap: Building a Bridge from Vision to Outcomes in your SNAP E&T Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to announce the FY 2023 SNAP E&T State Institute, which will take place on September 20th and 21st, 2023 at the Westin Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia. The SNAP E&T State Institute, SNAP Mind the Gap: Building a Bridge from Vision to Outcomes in your SNAP E&T Program will provide an opportunity for State SNAP agencies to build a vision for their SNAP E&T program and begin developing a strategic plan to accomplish the State’s long-term E&T goals. FNS will work in partnership with the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI), to operate the SNAP E&T State Institute.

I. WHAT IS THE SNAP E&T STATE INSTITUTE?

SNAP E&T State Institute will provide an opportunity for a select number of States to participate in a semi-national convening to help take their SNAP E&T vision to action. The goal of this year’s Institute will be for States to carefully review the status of their SNAP E&T program and to acknowledge both what’s working well and identify key program gaps and action steps that can be taken to achieve program goals. All participating States will be provided with data and program information, provided by FNS contractors, that will serve as a “gap analysis”. States will be able to use this information to build an action plan for their program. 

III. WHAT IS A GAP ANALYSIS?

A gap analysis allows organizations to determine how to best achieve their goals. It compares the current state with an ideal state or goals, a process that can highlight shortcomings and opportunities for improvement. For example, a State’s goal for its SNAP E&T program might be reaching every eligible SNAP participant with appropriate E&T services. Conducting a gap analysis of the geographic availability and levels of services available might show where eligible SNAP participants live and what percentage of recipients have reasonable geographic access. 

III. WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS DO?

The SNAP E&T State Institute will include speakers and presentations offering relevant SNAP E&T best practices and information along with set aside work sessions for State teams supported by SJI and FNS. In addition, participants will spend time with our expert facilitators working in groups to complete a gap analysis of their State’s SNAP E&T program. Participating States will be provided with guidance, coaching, and technical assistance, as well as State-specific SNAP E&T program data, and will draw on their program goals and outcomes identified in their annual SNAP E&T State plans. A primary goal of the gap analysis will be for each State team to identify practical and actionable steps that can be implemented following the Institute to achieve desired changes and program improvements. 

IV. WHY A SNAP E&T STATE INSTITUTE?

The SNAP E&T State Institute is part of FNS’ efforts to create opportunities for SNAP participants that help them gain skills and get good jobs. FNS operated two well-received SNAP E&T State Institutes in FY 19 and we are returning to this format as States are able to resume travel post-pandemic.  The State Institute format provides States access to expertise, peer learning opportunities, and dedicated strategic planning time that is challenging to complete when competing with day-to-day responsibilities. 

V. WHO SHOULD APPLY?

State SNAP agencies are eligible and should apply on behalf of a team of up to five (5) participants, who may all participate in the in-person event in Alexandria Virginia. Individuals from partner organizations, e.g. State workforce agencies or SNAP E&T intermediaries and providers, may be included in the list of participants submitted by the State SNAP agency. 

VI. IS THERE A COST TO PARTICIPATE?

FNS will cover transportation, lodging, and per diem costs associated with participating in the SNAP E&T State Institute for all individuals from a State agency. If a State feels that it would be beneficial to have representatives from non-State organizations (e.g. E&T providers or intermediary organizations) attend the Institute FNS may be able to cover costs associated with their attendance dependent on funding and State provided justification included in the letter of interest.

VI. HOW DO I APPLY?

Applicants should submit a letter of interest to the SNAP to Skills Project, Office of Employment and Training, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by 5pm ET on February 10, 2023. Applications should be sent as a PDF or Word attachment to SNAPtoSkillsProject@seattlejobsinit.com.

The letter of interest should include the following:

  • State name and project lead for your State team 
  • Current State SNAP E&T Program goals and objectives for 2024 Federal Fiscal Year
  • Your anticipated SNAP E&T team
  • Statement of Interest (500 words or less) that addresses the following:
    • How do you hope to benefit from participation in the State Institute?
    • What SNAP E&T topics does your State want to focus on at the Institute?

The letter of interest should be submitted as a PDF or Word attachment to SNAPtoSkillsProject@seattlejobsinit.com.

Questions about the application process or the State Institute should be directed to Sean Walsh (sean.walsh@usda.gov).