SNAP Employment & Training Brings Millions to State

LISC Rhode Island has leveraged more than $8.5 million in the past ten years for workforce development through the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program. SNAP E&T is a federally funded reimbursement program that supports workforce development organizations with a 50% reimbursement for costs associated with providing job training and education for SNAP participants. In the past decade, this program has provided critical operating funding for workforce development providers, including Amos House, Genesis Center and others.

Since the program started in Rhode Island in 2012, more than 15,000 Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) participants have received job training, education and supports necessary to find and keep employment. In 2023, through this program alone, nearly $1.3 million in federal dollars was invested in the State’s workforce training programs through SNAP E&T and delivered training to more than 2000 participants. SNAP Employment & Training is a federal program through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) and is administered by LISC Rhode Island.   

“This is a crucial program in our State,” said Jeanne Cola, Senior Executive Director for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Rhode Island. “It provides key operational funding for front line workforce development providers. It also enables the program to support the participant with ways to overcome obstacles. Providers are able to problem solve ways to help people get back to work or improve their skills.”

All SNAP E&T providers offer wraparound supports to each participant, and provide case management, and supports such as transportation assistance, and course materials to help participants succeed in their program. These resources and job retention counseling extend through the first 90 days of employment.  In addition, 43% also participate in basic education modules—digital literacy, ESOL, or GED classes—to help build a strong foundation for a career.

“There’s a good variety of programming available,” said Susan Leonardi, LISC Program Officer for SNAP E&T. “There is a catalogue of courses available on www.risnapet.org and includes information on trainings to become a CNA, dental assistant, to work in manufacturing and many other streams. There’s something for everyone and we continue to expand to new partners and programs.”

Between 2012 and 2023, the list of participating providers increased 500 percent — and it is still growing. By next month, House of Hope will join the list of SNAP E&T providers, and LISC is currently in discussion with several organizations to onboard or to expand their offerings. 

Through this program, LISC provides robust technical assistance to each provider to help build their program capacity and meet very specific federal compliance requirements.  The federal Farm Bill that authorizes SNAP and SNAP E&T programs require the collection of more than twenty data points per month for each SNAP E&T participant. Leonardi says the “the data reporting is probably the biggest lift of the entire program, but that’s where we provide the technical assistance.” To facilitate the process, LISC has created tracking solutions with formula-based spreadsheets that streamline the process. In addition, and in partnership with DHS, LISC conducts six convenings a year to share best practices, troubleshoot issues and identify program synergies. The availability of an intermediary partnering with DHS has produced positive results and has expanded pathways and programs for SNAP participants to get additional skills needed for successful employment. 

According to Patrick Westfall, Co-Executive Director at OpenDoors, a Providence-based non-profit that provides wrap-around support to justice-involved and homeless people, “LISC was able to find solutions to bridge the gap between DHS and providers. Our partnership with LISC has not only changed our employment program -- it saved our employment program.” 

LISC supports the SNAP E& T program as well as other workforce development initiatives including support for the Financial Opportunities Centers and its Bridges to Opportunities programs currently being delivered by Amos House, Genesis Center and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). These programs provide workforce development training modules, wrap-around services and contextualized learning for clients. LISC supports entrepreneurship and small business development through a coalition of Business Development Organizations that deliver services to underserved communities in Rhode Island.

“Every dollar LISC invests in workforce development is an investment in sustainability,” said Jeanne Cola. “The SNAP E&T program has been able to grow exponentially, which means exponentially more Rhode Islanders are served. This program dovetails with our other workforce development initiatives and creates opportunities to leverage investment of time, talent and funding that helps program providers have what they need to succeed. Plus, it’s an opportunity to make 1+1= 3 or 4 and bring additional federal dollars to our State.”

LISC Rhode Island — Together with residents, partners, and local leaders, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across our state – great places to live, work, visit, do business, and raise families. Our strategies – investing in real estate, increasing family income & wealth, stimulating economic development, investing in childcare facilities, and supporting healthy environments and lifestyles – work together to improve the health and well-being of our neighbors. LISC Rhode Island has invested $529 million in neighborhoods across our state, helping to create more than 10,140 affordable homes and support the development of more than 2.2 million square feet of commercial, childcare, educational, and community space.