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SUMMARY OF PROGRAM Provide the vision and mission of the State E&T program. In addition, describe how your State agency's E&T program meets the purpose of E&T which is to: Increase the ability of SNAP participants to obtain regular employment Meet State or local workforce needs In Colorado, the SNAP E&T program, as required by 7 CFR 273.7(f), and the Section 20 Optional Workfare program allowed under the provisions of 7 CFR 273.7(m), operate in tandem as the Employment First program (please refer to the Optional Workfare Program FFY26 State Plan). EF has operated in the Colorado Department of Human Services since the program’s inception in 1985. Its vision is to help SNAP recipients in Colorado connect to meaningful employment and succeed in the pursuit of economic well-being. The mission of CDHS is “Together, we empower Coloradans to thrive.” CDHS pursues this mission across a breadth of State and federal programming, including oversight of the State’s mental health system, child welfare and childcare systems, youth correction system, disability determination, and administration of child support and public assistance programs, among others. CDHS values a people-first approach and model: “We’re the people who help people.” EF meets both purposes of SNAP E&T through human-centered design, the provision of various program components by county Departments of Human Services (DHS), Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Workforce Regions, and Third Party Partners (TPPs), known throughout this plan as EF Program Operators (EF POs), alignment with Colorado’s key industries, and through employment and training partnerships that meet the needs of multiple populations in X number of counties. Human-Centered Design: EF engages advocacy groups, State and national partners, and clients to provide equitable and inclusive services throughout the urban and rural counties in which the program is operated. Also, as a voluntary program model, EF focuses on reverse referral efforts with community partners to ensure all eligible SNAP recipients and applicants are aware of and have access to EF and other E&T programs. EF program operators have also designed programs specific to priority populations such as returning citizens, ABAWDs, low-income individuals, and other populations that are at-risk in the county or local area. Provision of Various E&T Components: EF program operators have the flexibility to offer a variety of E&T components and collaborate with local and State workforce development partners. This occurs at the State and county levels to identify what components are most applicable to help EF clients transition to sustainable employment or acquire the skills necessary to enroll in education or training programs that lead to in-demand careers. Alignment with Colorado Key Industries: The Colorado Workforce Development Council releases an annual Talent Pipeline Report to inform Colorado’s workforce development system of growing industries across the State. In addition, the Talent Pipeline Report analyzes and explains labor market information, highlights talent development strategies, and provides data-informed opportunities to enhance the talent pipeline in Colorado. Information from the Talent Pipeline report is incorporated in this State Plan and is used as guidance at the local level to ensure all program operators are offering components within the local area's key industries. Employment & Training Relationships: The EF program funds county DHSs, workforce center regions, and TPPs that generate relationships among community colleges, foundations, employers, etc. The focus of each relationship is to enhance wrap-around services and increase upskilling and new-skilling of EF clients. Furthermore, EF program operators ensure streamlined service delivery for EF clients. For instance, a county DHS may refer clients to a TPP while still retaining responsibility for the assessment, placement, case management, and tracking of work registrants and ABAWDs. Colorado’s TPPs then primarily fund the cost of allowable E&T services and are reimbursed by CDHS. However, TPPs may also choose to take on the responsibility for assessment, placement, case management, and tracking of work registrants and ABAWDs while communicating the case management and component details to the county DHS through the CBMS. 2