A Unique Approach To Meeting Employment And Training Needs Of Food Stamp Recipients

A Unique Approach To Meeting Employment And Training Needs Of Food Stamp Recipients

A Unique Approach To Meeting Employment And Training Needs Of Food Stamp Recipients

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A S the country lay entrenched in a prolonged economic downturn

and claims for unemployment insurance grew exponentially, the

subsequent need for expanded employment related services

was clear. With an unemployment rate flirting with double dig-

its and a food stamp caseload that had approximately doubled since 2008,

New York state was faced with a multifaceted challenge of engaging a vast

increase in the number of recipients needing service, training and reintro-

ducing them to a labor market that requires skills that may be vastly differ-

ent from the one they just left, and ultimately, finding a way to pay for it all.

In an effort to confront this chal- lenge and continue to implement new and innovative social programs, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance created the Food Stamp Employment and Training Venture Initiative, taking advantage of the availability of federal matching funds to expand services. Designed to support job training and education to improve the economic prospects of those receiving benefits from the Food Stamp Program—the name still used in New York for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—the pro- gram engages the services of nonprofit agencies to target work registrants, including those deemed “hard-to- place” who may need more specialized services to enter, re-enter or advance in the workforce.

“Traditionally, designing a social pro- gram is the easy part,” stated Russell Sykes, deputy commissioner of the Center for Emplojonent and Economic Supports at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. “Funding it, particularly in this eco-

nomic environment, is another story. States facing multi-billion dollar defi- cits are often unable to allocate lim- ited dollars to new social programs. However, this is where the federal SNAP Employment and Training pro- gram’s attractive funding design comes into play Federal SNAP E&T funds are available to meet 50 percent of the eli- gible Venture program expenditures, and while the state is required to record the outlay of funds, it is not required to use any state resources to draw down the federal share.”

As part of the RFP development process. New York state required potential bidders to identify eligible nonfed- eral funding sources. In some instances entities were able to secure pri- vate foundation funding to support the program. Contracts with 17 non- profit agencies were set up, and by using the E&T funds to reimburse

them for 50 of the program costs, the nearly $8 million Ventures Initiative was established at no cost to the state.

Contracts with providers are perfor- mance based. Federal funds are earned as participants complete instructional hours, make educational gains, obtain a credential in a vocational skill and enter and maintain emplo3mient for 30- and 90-day periods. A total of 1,303 recipients enrolled in the first year, and the adjacent graph displays the pro- gram outcomes.

Credential

9%

7%

Fields

33%

w 2 1 %

• Health Care

• Const./Bldg/Maint

• “Green” Jobs

• Computers

• Culinary

1 4 Policy&Practice April 2011

1000

800

600

400

200

897

Career Plans Educational Credentials Job Entries

Gains &

Retentions

As similar as the individual programs are in terms of payment structure, fiex- ibility in how and what services are delivered is critical. As labor market conditions, training resources and the needs of the target population vary across the state so, too, does the make-up of individual Venture pro- grams. Each program was designed in partnership with the Local Workforce Investment Board and required cer-

Each program

vi^as designed in

partnership with

the Local Workforce

Investment Board and

required certification

and approval that

the credentials

being offered were

in economic fields

that were in demand

within the region.

tification and approval that the credentials being offered were in eco- nomic fields that were in demand within the region. Trainings range from that of Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health

Aide, to credentials for Warehouse Worker, Commercial Driver’s Licenses, and new and expanding “green” fields. Adult Basic Education and English language instruction is also offered. Individuals targeted for service include those with a history of substance abuse and ex-offenders. A summary of a few individual programs follows:

The Paraprofessionals Healthcare Institute, Inc. is a New York City-based provider that specializes in short-term (four-week) training that leads directly to emplojmient. The PHI and its part- ner. Cooperative HomeCare Associates, prepare participants for full-time home care jobs. Classes are offered in English and Spanish and students who complete the training are guaranteed employment. Each trainee earns two Department of Health-required cre- dentials: a Personal Care Aide creden- tial followed by a Home Health Aide credential. After 12 weeks of employ- ment, workers can purchase an owner- ship stake in CHCA, qualify for 401(k) accounts, and receive full health and dental coverage.

The Altamont Program, Inc. is an upstate provider that targets ex-offend- ers and individuals with a history of substance abuse. Altamont provides much-needed basic education and computer skills to its clients and offers credential training in culinary arts.

maintenance, weatherization and renewable “green” energy. Each client is provided with classroom edu- cation as well as with “hands-on” practical experi- ence. A recent graduate of the green-jobs program and a client with an extensive criminal history uses the educa- tion and skills he acquired through the program and remains fully employed as an electrician helper earning $11.00 an hour almost a year later.

New York state is very encouraged by the first year results, and is exploring the release of a second REP to expand the program and to maximize the use of SNAP E&T funds. With its traditional educational and job training design, coupled with a relatively debt-neutral impact on state budgets, the ESET Venture program is an attractive and easily adaptable initiative for states fac- ing client service challenges in these economic times to emulate.

Eor more information on the ESET Venture program, contact Luke Posniewski at Luke.Posiniewski@otda. state.ny.us. 01

Luke Posniewski is

a program contract manager at the Center for Employment and Economic Supports at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

April 2011 Palicy&Practice 1 5

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