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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. Colorado’s SNAP and SNAP E&T (EF) programs are both state-supervised and county-administered. Supervision occurs within the same CDHS Office, the Office of Economic Security. However, SNAP policy, contracts, and monitoring are conducted through the Food and Energy Assistance Division, and SNAP E&T policy, contracts, and monitoring are conducted through DEWS. DEWS is responsible for EF program decisions. County DHS, who administer EF, determines (based on funding, organizational structure, and needs) whether or not the EF program unit is separate from the SNAP certification unit. County DHSs are required to demonstrate effective referral processes within their county plan and throughout the year, even if the EF program is separate from the SNAP certification unit within the county. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? At the State level, the State E&T team (part of DEWS) attends biweekly meetings with the State SNAP team (part of FEAD). DEWS and FEAD develop cross-division memos, coordinate to develop training, and partner to interpret FNS guidance to inform counties regarding SNAP E&T information, updates, and other cross-division efforts. The State E&T team and State SNAP team partner to develop ongoing communication and training, including an operation memo that defines the roles and responsibilities for coordinating and communicating on an ongoing basis between county EF staff, TPPs, workforce regions, and county SNAP eligibility workers. 17