Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) January 26, 2015

Welcome & Introductions Rick Krauss, Consultant, Seattle Jobs Initiative Jason Turner, Food Program Manager, DSHS David Skaar, BFET Supervisor, DSHS Shannon Booth, WorkFirst Supervisor, ESD Hussam Al Khalidy, LEP Employment Specialist, ESD Kelly Lindseth, Facilitator, ESD

Expectations Interested Agencies will understand BFET on a surface level – and be able to apply for a contract with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Questions may be directed to any of the panel members and that person will find the answer or communicate with the correct person.

BFET Overview and History The BFET program provides employment, education, and training services to federal Basic Food recipients. The goal of the BFET program is to assist Basic Food recipients in obtaining a livable wage leading towards self-sufficiency. The BFET program is a 50/50 reimbursement program. Promotes partnerships among agencies within the community Promotes collaboration among BFET providers Diversify the revenue streams to assist BFA recipients Important - Agencies will need to identify matching non-federal funds based on the 50/50 model

Services Provided to BFET Participants Employability assessment Case management Job readiness training Basic skills/ESL training (literacy, math, vocational ESL, High School Equivalency preparation) Vocational training Job search assistance, job placement, and post-employment support services

Support Services Transportation Safety clothing Housing and utility assistance Child care subsidy Personal hygiene and grooming School supplies Tools and equipment needed to secure employment

BFET Pilot DSHS is looking to expand BFET with a pilot called Resources to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE). The RISE grant application was submitted in late 2014 and expects an answer from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) by late February 2015. The program will expand BFET services to include comprehensive case management and work-based learning in King, Pierce, Yakima and Spokane counties. RISE will focus on helping the harder to serve individuals that are subject to Basic Food work requirements.

Washington’s BFET Program and Operations The BFET program is a partnership of DSHS, SBCTC colleges and CBOs leveraging each other’s strengths Community Colleges equip BFET participants to be a skilled worker CBOs guide BFET participants in entering the workforce

Washington’s BFET Program and Operations DSHS’s Role and Responsibilities Requests Federal reimbursement from FNS Ensure the BFET program is in alignment with Federal requirements Confirm BFET eligibility for each participant

Washington’s BFET Program and Operations Colleges’ & CBOs’ Role and Responsibilities Provide direct services to BFET Participants. This includes: Employability assessment BFET activity and case management Track costs, maintain records and invoice according to Federal and State regulations

Washington’s BFET Program and Operations Lack of CBOs in rural WA Lack of match funding 14 counties only have 1 BFET provider Imbalance of BFET services (no JS or JT or BR services) 14 counties have no BFET providers

Basic Food Recipients and BFET Providers by County September 2014 Whatcom 28,720 5 Ferry 1,548 1 Pend Oreille 2,698 1 San Juan 1,080 Skagit 21,026 3 Okanogan 8,740 Island 7,655 Stevens 8,601 2 Clallam 12,434 1 Snohomish 88,905 7 Chelan 11,714 1 Douglas 5,455 Jefferson 4,146 Kitsap 32,871 3 King 230,644 32 Spokane 94,108 7 Lincoln 1,198 Grays Harbor 16,891 1 Mason 11,776 1 Grant 19,484 1 Kittitas 5,159 Whitman 3,786 Thurston 39,092 2 Pierce 142,647 11 Adams 4,737 Pacific 4,409 1 Lewis 17,084 1 Franklin 17,789 1 Garfield 301 Yakima 66,033 2 Columbia 678 Cowlitz 25,440 2 Benton 32,515 1 Asotin 4,655 1 Walla Walla 9,676 1 Skamania 1,553 Wahkiakum 590 Klickitat 3,859 Clark 71,683 1 Legend County BFA Recipients BFET Providers College and CBO present in County Only a college or CBO present in County No BFET provider present in County

BFET Providers and BFET Participants by County September 2014 Whatcom 5 467 Ferry 1 7 Pend Oreille 1 5 San Juan 8 Skagit 3 153 Okanogan 1 Island 37 Stevens 2 10 Clallam 1 173 Snohomish 7 573 Chelan 1 22 Douglas 16 Jefferson 14 Kitsap 3 348 King 32 3,306 Spokane 7 535 Lincoln 7 Grays Harbor 1 113 Mason 1 55 Grant 1 75 Kittitas 5 Whitman 7 Thurston 2 130 Pierce 11 701 Adams 8 Pacific 1 8 Lewis 1 176 Franklin 1 32 Garfield 2 Yakima 2 84 Columbia 1 Cowlitz 2 137 Benton 1 79 Asotin 41 Walla Walla 1 91 Skamania 1 Wahkiakum Klickitat Clark 1 339 Legend County BFET Providers BFET Participants College and CBO present in County Only a college or CBO present in County No BFET provider present in County

BFET Participants to BFA Recipients Ratio by County September 2014 Whatcom 1:61 Ferry 1:221 Pend Oreille 1:540 San Juan 1:135 Okanogan 1:8740 Skagit 1:137 Island 1:207 Stevens 1:860 Snohomish 1:155 Clallam 1:72 Chelan 1:532 Douglas 1:341 Jefferson 1:296 Kitsap 1:94 King 1:70 Spokane 1:176 Lincoln 1:171 Grays Harbor 1:149 Mason 1:214 Grant 1:260 Kittitas 1:1032 Whitman 1:541 Thurston 1:301 Pierce 1:203 Adams 1:592 Pacific 1:551 Franklin 1:556 Lewis 1:97 Garfield 1:151 Yakima 1:786 Columbia 1:678 Cowlitz 1:186 Benton 1:412 Asotin 1:114 Skamania 1:1553 Walla Walla 1:106 Wahkiakum 0:590 Klickitat 0:3859 Clark 1:211 Less than 1 BFET Participant to 100 BFA recipients Greater than 1 BFET Participant to 500 BFA recipients

How to Apply to be a BFET Contractor Review the Capacity Checklist in the Potential Partner Agency Packet http://www.basicfoodet.org/new-partners/ Complete a Letter of Intent using the Capacity Checklist The Letter of Intent is found in the Potential Partner Agency Packet Submit your Letter of Intent to SWBFETPOLICY@dshs.wa.gov

Timeline New contracts typically start in April and October, but exceptions can be made depending on budget and agency preparation. It usually takes about 2 – 3 months to review a proposal (letter of intent), sign the contract and begin BFET services. Since BFET is a reimbursement program, contracted agencies invoice DSHS monthly or quarterly after providing services to clients; therefore, DSHS typically pays contractors 45 – 120 days post-service .

Spokane LEP BFET Program The Office of Refugees and Immigrant Assistance contracts with 13 locations to provide BFET services. Those contractors must first have an LEP Pathways contract. Most services are paid at a 100% rate due to subsidies from Washington State funds.

Questions & Answers