This year, SNAP to Skills is hosting two SNAP E&T State Institutes, a new offering from FNS that provides States with training and expertise on how to grow and build an effective SNAP E&T program.
Participating State teams will:
- Gain specific knowledge and skills to tackle their biggest operational challenges and to grow SNAP E&T programs that attain quality outcomes for participants;
- Together with colleagues, develop a concrete plan for advancing their SNAP E&T programs; and
- Learn from and forge networks with their peer States.
The first of the Institutes, Taking SNAP E&T to Scale, took place March 12-14, 2019, in Arlington, Virginia, and focused on helping States work through strategic and operational challenges and opportunities to expand their programs and serve more SNAP participants. Teams from 15 States (Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia) attended.
Learning sessions in Taking SNAP E&T to Scale focused on helping States effectively operationalize SNAP E&T programs utilizing third-party partners; develop quality annual SNAP E&T Plans; develop strong systems of participant referral to match and connect individuals to the right programs and services; and develop an understanding of federal regulations and financial requirements of SNAP E&T. Participants had the opportunity to apply what they learned through cross-State group exercises, as well as work in their State Teams to address a key operational challenge.
The second SNAP E&T State Institute, Improving Outcomes with Work- and Skills-Based SNAP E&T Strategies, will focus on helping States to strengthen their SNAP E&T program outcomes by working with high quality providers to offer work and skills-based workforce development strategies. This second event will take place in Fall 2019. The application period for the second Institute has closed.