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Coordination with the workforce development system consists of efforts to partner with workforce providers to directly serve SNAP E&T participants or to align the flow or types of services offered across programs. Describe any special State initiatives (i.e. Governor-initiated or through State legislation) that include SNAP E&T. Describe any efforts taken by the State agency to coordinate these programs, services, partners, and/or activities with the State's E&T program. Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states who have opted SNAP into their WIOA combined plan. DTA's consultation with the workforce development board and other WIOA partners is ongoing. This plan reflects DTA's overall inclusion in Massachusetts' statewide workforce system and ongoing involvement in the development of the State's combined WIOA plan as well as local Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). The plan echoes Massachusetts’ priorities and strategies being utilized to meet the needs of employers and the labor workforce across all programs, including SNAP E&T. The MassHire State Workforce Board (MSWB) advises the Governor on building a strong workforce development system aligned with state education policies and economic development goals. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, serves as an ex-officio board member, ensuring that the employment and training needs of DTA clients are well represented and that the needs of Massachusetts employers are known and considered in the development of DTA’s SNAP Path to Work and the TAFDC Pathways programs. The members of the board develop strategies that guide the Commonwealth's efforts in ensuring workers have the skills they need to fill the jobs businesses create for a more prosperous Commonwealth, with higher wages for employees, larger profit margins for businesses and stronger communities for all. MSWB members represent all parts of the Commonwealth, from small businesses to multinational corporations, from organized labor to community organizations and State and local officials. Members review, revise, and advise the executive branch on how to create and sustain the workforce Massachusetts needs to succeed in the world economy. DTA also has representation on the local MassHire Workforce Boards and DTA’s WIOA Coordinator attends as many meetings as is practical, ensuring direct engagement with employers within the labor market where DTA clients are living and working. Additionally, DTA is a regular participant in the following meetings: STATE WORKFORCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The State Workforce Advisory Committee is a space for WIOA partner agency representatives to provide updates on their policy and programming, and includes regular recommendations related to employment challenges, business engagement strategies, and cross system alignment. The meeting also provides ongoing updates on the WIOA State Plan when relevant. • Recent meeting dates: 10/21/24 | 11/18/24 | 1/13/25 | 2/10/25 | 3/10/25 | 4/14/25 | 6/9/25 • Discuss the combined WIOA State Plan with all required State Partners • Report recommendations from joint work groups o Challenges to employment o Business engagement strategies o Cross systems alignment o Data integration and analytics o Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) State partner committee • Includes managers and directors from required WIOA State Partners • Goal is to provide agency updates, and ongoing updates on the WIOA State Plan with the input of all required partners • DTA representatives: Associate Commissioner of Employment and Training Programs, Assistant Director of Workforce Programs and Initiatives WORKFORCE PARTNER MEETINGS • Monthly (except during the summer) • MassHire Department of Career Services (DCS) and WIOA partner updates • Includes presentations/discussion about state level and joint partner initiatives/projects, MA workforce training and employer needs, best practices, etc. DTA/DCS CHECK-INS • Monthly • Check in regarding the ongoing collaboration between DTA and DCS, address any issues related to Work Participant Program (WPP) partnership, identify opportunities for improvement, staff training needs, etc. • DTA participants have included: Assistant Commissioner of Policy and Programs, Associate Commissioner of Employment and Training Programs, DTA WIOA Coordinator, SNAP E&T Manager, Acting Assistant Director of Workforce Programs and Initiatives, Program Effectiveness Manager • DCS participants have included: DCS Director, Director of Central Programs, Director of Business Enabling Technology, Manager Policy and Planning, Director of Policy and Program Administration DTA & DCS PARTICIPATION IN ALIGNED CASE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE The mission of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), Aligned Case Management Institute is to “to aid states in aligning their case management systems, enhancing holistic service delivery and improving customer experience within the public workforce 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan MA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mafy26stateplan//index.html 14/167