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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. DSS OWCI administers the SkillUP program, which is a separate team from the SNAP certification unit which is housed in the Family Support Division (FSD). How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? OWCI staff work closely with the FSD SNAP Program and Policy unit and are part of creating policy updates and manual changes. FSD Call Center and Resource Centers send referrals to OWCI. OWCI determines the appropriate provider based on the information received. FSD staff receive client specific change forms from the contracted providers. OWCI also has an email address, and each contracted provider has a single point of contact in the OWCI unit to address SNAP related inquiries. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. OWCI hosts monthly calls with all SkillUP providers. There is also a designated email account that staff operate from 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday to ensure timely responses to provider questions. OWCI Program Specialists are ‘assigned’ to each provider for technical assistance, refresher trainings, and to provide one-on-one service, which strengthens the partnership between OWCI and the providers. All forms of communication are used with SkillUP providers including phone calls, emails, group and one- on-one meetings, and this communication is either in-person or virtual. Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. OWCI hosts monthly calls with all SkillUP providers. There is also a designated email account that staff operate from 8 am -5 pm Monday through Friday to ensure timely responses to provider questions. SkillUP Program Specialists are ‘assigned’ to each provider for technical assistance, refresher trainings, and to provide one-on-one service, which strengthens the partnership between OWCI and the providers. Providers are encouraged to communicate within their regions; to braid and streamline services, coordinate 1/29/26, 8:18 AM State Plan MO FY26 - Amendment 1 https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mofy26stateplan//index.html 17/226