Page 23
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. DCYF manages the SNAP E&T program in close partnership with DEED via an interagency agreement. DCYF has a SNAP E&T team that is separate from the SNAP certification unit. The SNAP E&T team at DCYF establishes SNAP E&T policy, and both DCYF and DEED contract directly with providers for E&T services. Counties and Tribal Nations may also operate SNAP E&T programs under the supervision of DCYF. These programs may be in-house, or contracted out. Typically, even where SNAP E&T is provided through county in-house services, the employment and training unit is separate from the eligibility unit. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? At DCYF, the SNAP E&T team communicates regularly with the SNAP Policy team. Any new information or program changes that may affect one or the other are discussed prior to taking action. Workgroups, which may also include SNAP trainers, are often formed to establish new policy, or make changes to existing policy. SNAP E&T and SNAP Policy report to the same manager and leadership from both programs meet monthly. SNAP E&T and SNAP Policy have worked together to develop the State’s screening and referral process for SNAP E&T, for example, and will continue to work actively on other issues of mutual concern. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. The State Agency communicates regularly with providers via email and virtual meetings. DCYF also holds a recurring provider meeting every other month, which allows space for collaboration, program updates, trainings and refreshers on systems and policy, and other relevant topics. DCYF also hosts an annual, two-day provider meeting at the start of each federal fiscal year. Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. The State Agency communicates regularly with counties, Tribal Nations, and providers. DCYF program policy staff hold a County and Tribal Updates meeting twice per month, which is open to eligibility staff, providers, and other external partners. The topics of this group consist of program updates, trainings and refreshers on systems and policy, networking, or other relevant topics. DCYF also maintains a presence at the 1/29/26, 8:18 AM State Plan MN FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mnfy26stateplan//index.html 23/253