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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. Maine SNAP E&T staff are part of the E&T policy. SNAP E&T staff have overall responsibility for all SNAP functions, but work with DHHS Division of Contract Management (DCM)in contracts, as DCM has oversight of all contracts. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? SNAP E&T staff coordinate as necessary with E&T certification staff for receipt of E&T referrals and correction of cases. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. SNAP E&T staff have contractual relationships with community-based providers and a Memorandum of Understanding with State of Maine Department of Labor for the Competitive Skills Scholarship program. Maine SNAP E&T staff meet regularly with all providers to review status of programming, and provide training, and oversight. Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. Email communications and follow-up discussions are conducted for policy and rule changes, and new operating procedures. Describe how the State agency, intermediaries, and E&T providers share participant data and information. Include the names of any MIS systems (or other modes of communication) used. All participant level data is housed in the Goodwill Northern New England (GWNNE) Job Connection tool. E&T staff can assess this data as necessary. Provider agencies do not have access to the State Agency eligibility data base (ACES). Providers submit monthly rosters in excel spreadsheets and invoices for services 45 days post delivery of services. If the State uses a MIS system, describe the E&T related data that is tracked and stored in those systems (e.g. referrals, noncompliance with program requirements, provider determination, etc.), and whether the system(s) interact with each other. E&T participation is case noted and flagged as a compliance event in the State's eligibility system, ACES. Participant case notes and receipts are also housed in the separate Job Connection tool, entered by providers. The two systems do not interact with each other. Describe the State agency’s process for monitoring E&T providers’ program and fiscal operations. Include plans for direct monitoring such as visits, as well as indirect monitoring such as reviewing program data, financial invoices, etc. The State Agency conducts 1-2 management evaluation site visits per year to inspect location and meet with staff. Program data is reviewed as received and in random case record reviews that are performed prior to the 1-2 management evaluation visits so that the information can be reviewed with staff. The Senior Planner conducts these case file record reviews. Fiscal monitoring is done at three levels. SNAP E&T Program staff review monthly invoices that include administrative costs and participant reimbursements. Once approved by Programs, the invoice goes to the OFI Contract Coordinator for coding and confirmation that line item costs do not exceed budget totals. Once approved by the OFI Contract Coordinator, the invoice is processed in the Division of Contract Management Contract Allocation Database (CADB), where additional staff review for accuracy. Contracts are also subject to audit by the DHHS Division of Audit. 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan ME FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mefy26stateplan//index.html 10/68