Vermont’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Pilot A Pilot Program to Help 3 Squares VT Participants with Significant Barriers Obtain Employment and Increase Wages

Pilot Background The Agricultural Act of 2014 set aside $200 Million to be used for SNAP E&T Pilots Statutory Goal: to test new methods for E&T programs and services to “increase employment and earnings and reduce reliance on public benefits” 10 states received funding through a competitive grant application process States were awarded between $3.4 and $22.3 Million

Goals Enroll 3000 participants into the study. Provide additional employment support to increase participant wages and reduce dependence on 3SVT. Keep integrity of the study. Enroll 3000 participants into the study. The goals of the grant are to enroll 3000 participants and provide employment services. JFI is committed to keeping the integrity of the study by monitoring how the services are delivered and data is accurately collected.

Vermont’s SNAP E&T Pilot Jobs for Independence (JFI) Focuses on individuals in Vermont with significant barriers to employment Homeless or “at risk” of Homelessness Addiction Issues Mental Health Issues Criminal Convictions Participants Must be SNAP (3SquaresVT) Recipients (who are not receiving Reach Up, Reach Ahead or Reach First) Pilot will seek to enroll at least 3,000 participants (with at least 1,500 in “treatment group)

JFI Timeline Vermont receives $8.9 million to for pilot services and admin. Recruitment begins. Recruitment for participants continues thru 12/31/2017. Dec. 2017 Dec. 2018 Winter 2017 In March, 2016 the JFI program began recruitment. Enrollment while steady has not met the required targets. Strategies to meet targets were developed. One of the strategies was to use the 15% Vermont 3SQVT exemption as an incentive to enroll in JFI. We will continue to recruit participants through 12/31/2017 making the additional work load for district offices short term. This JFI code 15 exemption will only be in effect until 12/31/2017. The Program will provide services to clients until 12/31/2018, but this will have no impact on district offices. Code 15 Work Exemption now available. Services for participants continues thru 12/31/2018.

Targeted participant recruitment Provide additional employment supports to increase participant wages and reduce dependence on 3SVT through partnerships: Department for Children and Families (DCF), Economic Services Division (ESD) Project Leadership Community Action Agency Targeted participant recruitment Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) Random Assignment and Case management The next two slides give a brief overview of the project partners. JFI leadership is located in the DCF, Economic Services with Anne McBee as the Director, Tracy Collier as the Program Manager and Jennifer Herwood as the Data Manager. The partners of the project include; Community Action Agencies throughout the state who are providing targeted recruitment services. Vermont Department of Labor provides orientation, random assignment and employment services.

Supporting Participants thru Partnerships - Cont. Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)-EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Comprehensive assessment to determine a participant’s employment needs Community College of Vermont (CCV) Administration of Governor’s Career Ready Certificate (GCRC) Program Work search/employment services and vocational training Vocational Rehabilitation(DVR) VABIR(Vermont Association of Business Industry and Rehabilitation) Dept. Of Labor VR-EAP provides assessment and supports around employment barriers. CCV is offering the Governors Career Ready Certificate. We also work with all of you and the service providers in the communities. We rely heavily on you for recruitment, enrollment and barrier support services.

Christina Wants a new or better job. Is active in 3SVT in ACCESS. Isn’t on a Reach Up program. Feels she has/had problems with one or more: Housing insecurity Criminal History Substance Abuse Mental Health Meet Christina! She would like a new or better job. She is eligible for JFI because she is receiving 3SVT and she is not on Reach Up. She meets the target population wants to get a job and has self identified with one or more of the following targets: Housing Insecurity, Criminal History, Substance Abuse, Mental Health.

Control Group Services - VDOL Control Group Participants Will Be Placed in Vermont’s Current SNAP E&T Program Administered by VDOL Services Include: Vocational assessment Access to WIOA employment services as resources allow Monthly follow-up 90-day post-placement support

Treatment Group Services- “Next Step”- VR-EAP Individuals Will Participate in Clinical Assessment with VR-EAP counselors to Determine Unique Employment Barriers and Needs Case Management and Empolyment Services Provided by Voc Rehab, VABIR and VDOL Based on Clinical Assessment

Treatment Group Services Financial Literacy Training CCV’s Governor’s Career Ready Certificate (GCRC) Program Short term Counseling and referral “Progressive Employment” Services Direct Job Placements Apprenticeships On-the-Job Training Work Experiences with Training Allowance Company Tour and Job Shadows Temp-to-Hire Programs All Treatment Participants Will Have Access to “Cross-Barrier Services” or “Universal Core Services”

Examples Include, But Are Not Limited To: “Targeted” support services will be available to participants assessed with a corresponding barrier Examples Include, But Are Not Limited To: Housing Support and Referrals Rapid re-housing Housing search and placement Financial aid to prevent eviction Addiction Services Referral and Support Recovery coaching Substance abuse outpatient services Stipend for CRASH Criminal Conviction Supports Fidelity Bonding

JFI is Working! Clients Enrolled Referrals 54% CAPs 30% ESD 16% VDOL “JFI literally saved my life…..without their combined assistance it wouldn't have been possible. Thanks.” Clients Enrolled 2820 As of 12/31/17 Referrals 54% CAPs 30% ESD 16% VDOL Meet Jeff! He has been in JFI for a few months and wrote a letter about how much JFI meant to him. He states, “JFI literally saved my life…without their combined assistance it wouldn’t have been possible.” Jeff is just one of many success stories for JFI. JFI has had strong enrollment and has enrolled 1162 as of the development of this presentation. Of those who received treatment services 135 participants have gained employment. The referrals are coming in from partners with Community Action Agencies referring 55%, District Offices referring 30% and VDOL at 16%. We are thankful for the commitment from our community partners and district office staff. This success would not be possible without you.