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ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS State agencies are required to include information on the organizational relationship between the units responsible for certification and the units operating the E&T components, including units of the statewide workforce development system, if available. For the purposes of the questions below, E&T providers are considered to include units of the statewide workforce development system. FNS is specifically interested in ensuring that the lines of communication are efficient and that, if applicable, noncompliance with mandatory E&T is reported to the certification unit within 10 working days after the noncompliance occurs, per 7 CFR 273.7(c)(4). State agencies must also include information on the relationship between the State agency and other organizations it plans to coordinate with for the provision of services. The following questions are about how the E&T program is structured in your State agency. Indicate which division within the SNAP State agency is responsible for the E&T program. (i.e. establishes E&T policy, contracts for E&T services, monitors providers). For example, explain if the E&T program unit is separate from the SNAP certification unit, and if there are separate E&T units at the county level. In California, the E&T program is overseen by the CDSS and administered locally by counties. The CalFresh E&T Section within the CalFresh Policy & Employment Bureau at the CDSS manages: • Developing and releasing of E&T policy guidance. • Contracting for E&T services. • Monitoring all sub-recipients of the CalFresh E&T grant. 58 counties in California conduct the certification and issuance of CalFresh benefits, although 35 counties have chosen to administer CalFresh E&T programs to their residents. Counties have the autonomy to design programs around CalFresh E&T components and activities, population characteristics, in-demand occupations, service providers, and available funding sources. California is a diverse state with 58 counties that range from remote rural communities to robust metropolitan cities. The separation of duties of units responsible for CalFresh certification and units responsible for E&T services vary depending on the resources, geography, and ability of each county. Large counties with greater resources available have separate staff responsible for CalFresh certification from staff responsible for the administration of E&T services. Small counties with fewer resources often have staff performing certification and E&T functions. E&T services may be provided directly by the county, through partner entities who provide services on their behalf, and/or through sub-recipients. The CDSS also has agreements with sub-recipients, known as state partners, to provide targeted CalFresh E&T services throughout the state with the coordination and approval of the counties. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? The CalFresh E&T Section is part of the larger Employment and Child Nutrition Bureau, within the Nutrition Programs Branch. The CalFresh E&T Section communicates regularly with the CalFresh Policy Bureau, within the CalFresh Branch, who have staff that develops and oversees certification policy. The CalFresh Policy Bureau has a dedicated Regulation Specialist who ensures that CalFresh E&T policy aligns with the CalFresh certification policy. The CalFresh Branch has a Bureau dedicated to the compliance of certification policy, known as CalFresh Operations. This Bureau monitors all 58 counties in California ensuring compliance with federal and state 1/28/26, 11:04 AM State Plan CA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-cafy26stateplan//index.html 31/286