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SUMMARY OF PROGRAM Provide the vision and mission of the State E&T program. In addition, describe how your State agency's E&T program meets the purpose of E&T which is to: Increase the ability of SNAP participants to obtain regular employment Meet State or local workforce needs The mission of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is to help vulnerable New Yorkers meet their essential needs and advance economically by providing opportunities for stable employment, housing, and nutrition. The State’s SNAP E&T program is an integral component of OTDA’s overall strategy to achieve its mission and is designed to help household members in receipt of SNAP benefits move from survival mode to planning for an economically stable future by acquiring in- demand skills, training, and work experience that lead to opportunities for upward economic mobility. The SNAP E&T program is focused on aligning the needs of local communities, employers, and low-income individuals. To achieve this, OTDA’s goal for FY 2026 is to continue to work with districts to ensure that the educational and training opportunities that are available to the general public are made easily accessible to SNAP participants. OTDA will also continue to operate the Venture V Program which delivers employment services to enable an expansion of work-focused education and training opportunities to low-income individuals receiving SNAP. Additionally, in areas where such opportunities are not offered through a State- level contracted provider, OTDA will encourage and support districts to make concerted efforts to network, partner, and contract with providers and employers to increase the availability of appropriate program offerings that lead to well-paid jobs with opportunities for career advancement. OTDA continues to participate actively on our State WIOA Interagency Team to coordinate workforce activities with our State partners, learn and take advantage of new workforce initiatives and promote the importance of coordination with key workforce and education providers at the local level. This comprehensive strategy ensures a myriad of resources to support SNAP participants in achieving sustained employment and economic security. To ensure that the purpose of SNAP E&T is met at the local level OTDA requires each district to develop a biennial TA and SNAP Employment Plan that includes a description of the district’s SNAP E&T program. Districts design these Employment Plans in consultation with a variety of local stakeholders including their local Workforce Development Boards. This requirement helps program management view the SNAP E&T program as part of a statewide network, thereby reducing duplication of effort and improving program outcomes. Additionally, to ensure successful program implementation districts are strongly encouraged to continue ongoing coordination with Career Center partners to improve participant access to in-demand employment and training opportunities as well as job readiness and supportive services offered in the local area. By partnering with Career Centers, districts leverage existing workforce resources, streamline the referral process, improve service efficiency, and ensure that district clients can benefit from the full array of services available through the NYS Career Center System. At the individual participant level, districts and E&T contractors conduct comprehensive employment assessments to identify each SNAP participant’s needs, skills, abilities, and potential barriers to employment. Based on the information gathered through the assessment process districts and E&T contractors tailor an individualized employment plan that addresses the specific needs of each SNAP participant. This personalized approach to identifying each individual’s needs coupled with the variety of locally available employment and training opportunities including services delivered through each county as well as resources offered through State administered contracts for SNAP E&T career and technical education programs ensures that SNAP participants are provided with specific services to help them gain necessary skills and achieve their employment goals. Additionally, districts that have selected to offer job retention services as part of their SNAP E&T program continue to provide support to SNAP participants after they have secured regular employment. During this transitional period, services like job coaching, coordination with service providers 1/29/26, 9:29 AM State Plan NY FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-nyfy26stateplan//index.html 3/312