Policy & Practice | Winter 2023

aphsa viewpoint

By Khristian Monterroso

SNAP E&T: Meeting Unique Needs

W hen engaging with families and individuals in human services, it is critical to understand that there may be unique circumstances and barriers that families and individuals face on their pathway to economic mobility. Families and individuals may have a variety of needs depending on their context, such as food assistance, tuition assistance, transportation, and child care assistance. Understanding and planning to effectively meet those needs requires the expertise of the local providers working directly with the people they serve and, most impor tantly, their direct input. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) serves as an important support to move SNAP participants forward on a path toward economic mobility. When providers tailor supports and services to the individual needs of the people they serve, SNAP E&T has the potential for producing a more equitable and responsive service delivery system. Paired with effective policy and practice through the lead ership of SNAP agencies, SNAP E&T programs can further reduce adminis trative burdens to meet clients where they are. A Strategy for SNAP E&T SNAP E&T is a federally funded program designed to assist eligible SNAP participants on their journey to economic mobility and career devel opment. It encompasses a package of services, including assessments, job search, education, supportive services, and case management. In an effort to remove barriers to participation, SNAP E&T also provides support services like transportation and child care

SNAP within their states—such as youth transitioning from care and returning citizens—and in partnership with communities, establish services designed to meet their unique needs.

assistance, aiming to help participants in obtaining and retaining employment. Third-party providers in SNAP E&T, such as community colleges and community-based organizations, have proven to be invaluable partners to state and local human services agencies for delivering not only E&T services, but also connecting clients to an array of supportive services to ulti mately help them gain and maintain employment. Through consistent and open conversation with third party providers about participants’ needs, state and local human services agencies can strive to co-produce a more equitable and responsive service delivery system. Moreover, through research and community input, SNAP agencies and providers can identify populations likely to be eligible for

Meeting Participants Needs, In Action

MAHUBE OTWA Community Action Partnerships Inc., a SNAP E&T provider located in Minnesota, provides a range of social services over a wide swath of counties across the state, including three Native American reservations. Through its whole-family approach to services, family coaches and clients work together to identify what services would be of greatest value to their specific situation and what a feasible

See SNAP E&T on page 38

Illustration by Chris Campbell

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Policy & Practice Winter 2023