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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. SNAP E&T is fully and directly administered statewide by Donna Switz & Allison Forsyth in the Program & Oversight Grant Administration (POGA) Division guided by Daniel Giacomi, Division Director of POGA. SNAP certification is handled by eligibility staff separately via the Division of Eligibility and Benefit Operations. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? POGA communications are sent regularly to eligibility staff. Communications consist of general reminders for staff to make referrals, where providers are located, and some of the training programs offered for eligible SNAP recipients. Announcements are made on our ImpaCT eligibility dashboard, and all office Quarterly SNAP Operations Meetings are held with E&T as a regular agenda item. There is also a SNAP E&T Training that is being led by our Office of Skill and Development (OSD) training department that will be updated with important information and any changes to directives or policy. SNAP E&T staff have created and shared an internal email address for eligibility staff to reach out with questions. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. As mentioned previously, DSS coordinates SNAP E&T efforts with other state agencies, councils, and boards to help streamline services. Our partnerships include the state DOL, the GWC, OWS, and CT State Colleges and Universities. DSS participates in quarterly meetings with the GWC which include DOL, CT State, and OWS. DSS also holds a contract with DOL for data sharing. Information is also shared via secured e-mail between DSS and SNAP E&T providers as well as other departments when necessary. Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. DSS communicates via secure e-mail systems to partners using external firewall protections. DSS also holds statewide partner meetings. CTPathways has a function for alerts, announcements, and a partner forum called Chatter to help communicate with providers and share important documents. 1/28/26, 11:04 AM State Plan CT FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-ctfy26stateplan//index.html 12/96