Food Stamp Employment and Training – Community Organizations CREATING A POSSIBLE REVENUE STREAM OPTION FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Overview

Meeting Objectives Program Overview –What is FSET? –Governing Rules Project Overview –Economic Stimulus Bill –Services Components –Stakeholders –FFP –Eligible Costs –Reporting Requirements –UMMS Responsibilities –Current Status

What is FSET? Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSET) Provides employment and training services to Non-TAFDC food stamp recipients Funding for the FSET Program has been provided through a combination of federal grants and state funds, including an uncapped 50% federal financial participation (FFP) The overall purpose of the program is to assist Non-TAFDC food stamp recipients in achieving economic self-sufficiency through the receipt of high quality, comprehensive employment and training services.

What are the governing rules? The Food Stamp Security Act of 1985 The Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Agriculture, CFR 7 Food Stamp Employment and Training Plan Chapter 123 of the Acts of 2006

Stakeholders The Department of Transitional Assistance – Single State Agency for Massachusetts U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service University of Massachusetts Medical School, Center for Health Care Financing Service Entities: Community Based Organizations, Community Colleges, Municipalities Participants: Non-TAFDC (Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children) Food Stamp Recipients EOHHS (Executive Office of Health and Human Services) Office of the State Comptroller

Economic Stimulus Bill – Workforce Provisions Chapter 123 of the Acts of 2006: Section 9(e) “ Upon application by an agency or other entity, including but not limited to the department of education, the department of workforce development, local governments, community colleges, other educational institutions, workforce organizations and nonprofit providers of education, employment and training services, whose expenditures for education or training services for food stamp participants generated the federal matching funds, funds equivalent to the remaining federal Food Stamp Employment and Training Program matching funds received in any fiscal year shall be provided, on a pro-rata basis, to support additional education, employment and training services and related program costs and up to 5 per cent of these funds may be used for administrative costs incurred by said agency or organization claiming said federal matching funds. These funds shall not be used to supplant existing services.”

Employment and Training Service Components Job Search Job Search Training Education Skills Training Case Management Placement Services Other Employment Opportunities

Federal Financial Participation (FFP) FFP is a term used by the federal government to denote when the federal government will “participate” with a state in the costs related to administering a program UMMS will have a Provider Specific Agreement (PSA) with Service Entities UMMS/DTA will claim 50% reimbursement for “eligible non-federal and non-state” matching funds UMMS will distribute funds to Service Entities (95%), less a 5% administrative fee per legislation

Eligible Costs Must directly relate to an approved FSET program component and be necessary and reasonable Service components must not be available through another government program and/or at no cost to the participant through a private source FSET Plan must contain information about service component Services are provided to Non-TAFDC Food Stamp recipients Services are provided utilizing non-federal and non-state matching funds Funds must not be “earmarked” and/or have spending restrictions or requirements Must not exceed 120 hours combined employment, training, and education per month

Reporting Requirements Name and Social Security Number Name of reimbursable component (i.e. Job Search, Education, Skills Training, etc) Hours per component and/or per participant Unit cost per component and/or per participant If applicable, Enrollment and Placement rate Total cost per participant on a monthly basis Certification of expenditures Maintain records and accounts of all costs (direct and indirect) associated with this initiative

UMMS Provide guidance and training on how to capture and claim eligible expenditures Ensure that DTA secures the necessary Federal approval for all expenditures Review expenditure reports submitted by Service Entities for eligible FSET services In coordination with DTA, review claims submitted to USDA for federal reimbursement Allocate funds to Service Entities In conjunction with DTA, oversee program

Current Status Claimed gross expenditures of $476,000 for FFY07, of which was 50% reimbursable. Disbursed $238,000 to Greater Boston entities that participated in the pilot phase, less the 5% administrative fee. Currently working with various entities to claim FSET eligible expenditures for FFY08. Working with various State workforce development agencies, coalitions, and professionals to expand program to other areas around the State.

How do I enroll? Rich Pedroli (617) , Anthony Owumi (617) ,