Page 6

ensure statewide availability of SNAP E&T services in designated ENOUGH communities, which are areas with high rates of intergenerational poverty. This intentional approach resulted in nearly 20 more proposals than historically received. Both agencies are committed to tracking outcomes to measure the effectiveness of this intentionally integrated model. Coordination 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. DHS has successfully coordinated with the Governor's office of Childhood Initiatives to expand SNAP E&T serves in underserved communities. Maryland is now partnering with 10 new Third Party Partners from this collaboration. At the State level, DHS coordinates with the Department of Labor to prevent duplication of services to leverage and braid resources. DHS also collaborates with the Department of Labor’s EARN Grant recipients. DHS now has 20 EARN Grant recipients as Third Party Partners to enhance expansion efforts to serve more customers statewide. Describe the extent to which the State agency is carrying out SNAP E&T programs in coordination with title I programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In addition to state-level coordination of WIOA and SNAP E&T activities, SNAP E&T partners work closely with American Job Centers (AJCs) across the State. There are cross referrals between WIOA and SNAP E&T partners based on each participant’s unique needs and the provider’s service offering. Our partnerships allow SNAP E&T to offer an array of workforce training, educational and career opportunities. These partnerships assist the SNAP E&T program by: Providing our program with service delivery strategies and opportunities for our SNAP/ABAWD participants to transition into the industry of their choice Allowing SNAP E&T to stretch SNAP E&T funds Statewide along with other WIOA resources Leveraging and/or braid funding of non-federal funds to focus on adding complementary enriched service delivery models Providing a diverse training and service delivery model that builds the capacity of serving a large number of clients, simultaneously Giving us the ability to collaborate and share data, and outcomes so that we can manage our delivery methodologies and revisit areas where our participant needs are not being met and/or best practices. 1/29/26, 11:10 AM State Plan MD FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mdfy26stateplan//index.html 6/298