What is OK SNAP Works / SNAP Employment & Training?

Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the Employment & Training (E&T) program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants opportunities to gain skills, training, work or experience that increases their ability to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs.

OK SNAP Works is Oklahoma’s SNAP E&T program. Through OK SNAP Works, SNAP recipients can obtain employment skills and training to strengthen their employability. OK SNAP Works removes barriers to gainful employment through extensive partnerships with community-based organizations. Participation in the program must be free to the participant(s) – Oklahoma Human Services and providers bear any fiscal responsibility for the program.

Funding

OK SNAP Works is a federally funded program administered by the USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) division. OK SNAP Works operates a cost-reimbursement model, reimbursing SNAP E&T partners up to 50% of costs which are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to administering SNAP E&T services. Due to the program’s federal ties, OK SNAP Works cannot reimburse or supplant any federal awards such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), JobCorps, and ‘Ticket to Work’.

Provider Responsibilities

SNAP E&T providers have broad agency to operate their programs. However, there are several key responsibilities SNAP E&T providers must incorporate:

• Assess and place E&T clients in appropriate, allowable activities/components
  • Supervised Job Search or Job Search Training
  • Education (including Adult Basic Education and Career/Tech)
  • Work Experience
• Provide case management
  • Case management is a foundational aspect of SNAP E&T. All SNAP E&T providers are required to offer case management services to SNAP E&T participants. However, there is no specific criteria or methodology in the administration of case management services.
• Monthly tracking and reporting of client participation and allowable costs
• Issue participant reimbursements/supports
• Maintain records according to Federal and State grant rules

Steps to Becoming an E&T Provider

• Review the SNAP E&T Toolkit to become familiar with the SNAP E&T program requirements. This hyperlink sends applicants to our federal partner’s webpage.
• Complete and submit the OK SNAP Works - Prospective SNAP E&T Partner Request.
• OK SNAP Works will review the Prospective SNAP E&T Partner Request.
  • If not appropriate, OK SNAP Works will contact applicant to discuss barriers to potential partnership.
  • If appropriate, OK SNAP Works will schedule a consultation, which may include an onsite visit, to:
    • Review pertinent information submitted via OK SNAP Works Provider Screening Tool
    • Discuss capacity to serve or recruit SNAP participants for the SNAP E&T program
    • Provide applicants with the OK SNAP Works Provider Application
• Contact OK SNAP Works for additional guidance or to schedule a consultation to evaluate the feasibility of your organization becoming a SNAP E&T partner.
•  Following application approval, OK SNAP Works will update and submit the SNAP E&T State Plan, or amended State Plan, to obtain FNS approval.
  • Initial SNAP E&T State Plan for the new Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 – September 30): Last day to submit application is March 1^st. Last day to submit all required documents for review is April 1^st. Final required documents are due by May 1^st and will be submitted to FNS by August 15^th for contracted services to be effective October 1^st.
  • The State E&T State Plan will be amended once per Federal Fiscal Year. Last day to submit the SNAP E&T Application is November 1^st. Last day to submit all required documentation for review by OK SNAP Works is December 1^st. All final required documents are due by January 2^nd and will be submitted to FNS by February 1^st for contracted services to be effective April 1^st.
• Following FNS approval, an agreement between the State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Human Services, and your agency will be sent to you for completion and approval.
  • OK SNAP Works will begin the provider onboarding process to prepare your organization to be a successful SNAP E&T partner.