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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. Under the direction of DTA’s Associate Commissioner of Employment and Training Programs, the SNAP Path to Work Manager, supported by four DTA SNAP E&T Specialists and a SNAP case manager, oversees the State’s SNAP E&T program. State level SNAP E&T policy and procedure are developed by the SNAP E&T unit (in consultation with SNAP certification staff, TAFDC E&T staff, the Director of Disability Access, DTA’s legal team, and others as appropriate). How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? While the SNAP E&T unit is separate from the SNAP certification unit, the SNAP E&T Manager maintains regular contact with SNAP policy managers and analysts to ensure that SNAP E&T and SNAP work requirements policy is correctly and thoughtfully interpreted and implemented. At a minimum, the SNAP E&T Manager and Assistant Director of SNAP Policy typically meet via Teams biweekly and regularly consult one another regarding proposed changes, documentation, and training needs and collaborate on projects as needed. The frequency of meetings and meeting attendees are adjusted based on the nature and timeline of overlapping projects, the need for discussion related to the release of guidance, implementation of new policy, and other situations requiring consultation. Additional meetings (face to face or virtual), emails, and telephone consultation occur on an as needed basis. At a broader level, the Associate Commissioners of Employment and Training Programs, Food Security and Nutrition Programs, and Family and Economic Assistance report directly to the Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Program. This vertical ensures that priorities from each unit are addressed and reduces overlap. DTA's full executive staff team meets weekly, with each vertical reporting on their goals and objectives. This ensures consistent communication across programs. Additional meetings (face to face or virtual), email, and telephone consultation occur on an as needed basis. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. The state has contracted with ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) since 2006 to support DTA in the administration of the SNAP E&T program and to serve as an intermediary. With the exception of other state agencies, UMass Chan subcontracts with all SNAP Path to Work provider organizations and assists providers in complying with SNAP E&T requirements and claiming and maximizing SNAP E&T reimbursement. DTA is responsible for supporting SNAP E&T providers and participants around general SNAP E&T policy, participant eligibility, participant recruitment, and access to participant supports. The UMass Chan and DTA E&T teams are jointly responsible for provider recruitment and monitoring and work closely to ensure that contracted providers receive necessary training and support and that all parties are on the same page. Links; For Health Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School: https://forhealthconsulting.umassmed.edu/ Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. Depending on the nature and level of complexity, new policies, procedures, or other information may be shared with partners and intermediary staff in one or more of the following ways: • via email • in the form of a written document • through the sharing of links (for example, newly published federal regulations or other guidance) • via mandatory or optional training sessions • during individual partner, regional, all partner or small group meetings • via the Upcoming Events & Announcements section of PATH • posted on mass.gov’s DTA page • other methods as appropriate ONGOING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DTA AND UMASS CHAN (INTERMEDIARY) • DTA and UMass Chan SNAP E&T staff regularly communicate regarding SNAP E&T rules, requirements, policy changes, data, trends, and 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 24/167