1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. JFI Timeline
Vermont receives $8.9 million to for pilot services and admin. Recruitment begins.
Recruitment for participants continues thru 12/31/2017.
Dec
Dec
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/ 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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”

12. 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

13. 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.