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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. The state agency is responsible for administering the SNAP E&T program. The administration of the program will transition from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to LDH effective October 1, 2025, aligning program delivery with broader workforce initiatives. The SNAP E&T program is now operated through a contractor model, with Louisiana Works serving as the primary contractor responsible for delivering E&T services statewide. DCFS will maintains oversight of the program, including fiscal, strategic planning, policy development, performance monitoring, and federal compliance, while Louisiana Works manages the day-to-day operations and direct service delivery. Louisiana continues to operate a state-administered E&T model, without county-level E&T units. Program operations are centrally managed to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to both federal and state requirements. The E&T administrative structure within DCFS includes program administrators, policy and data analysts, fiscal oversight staff, and contract management personnel. This team works closely with Louisiana Works to provide technical assistance, manage provider performance, conduct outreach, and oversee fiscal and operational compliance throughout the E&T network. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? The SNAP E&T unit maintains ongoing coordination and communication with the units responsible for SNAP certification through a collaborative, multi-faceted approach. This includes regular in-person meetings and video conferences that facilitate direct discussions on policy matters impacting both E&T and certification processes. The teams also communicate frequently via email to share updates, clarify procedures, and address emerging issues. Collaborative document review is conducted using tools that support tracked changes and comments, enabling transparent and efficient feedback. This structured communication process ensures strong alignment between the E&T program and SNAP certification units, fostering consistency and cohesion in policy implementation across the agency. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan LA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-lafy26stateplan//index.html 17/115