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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. RI SNAP E&T program operates from the SNAP Program division. The E&T unit is separate from the SNAP certification unit and serves the entire state. DHS has an Assistant Administrator, Social Case Worker, and part-time Sr. Casework Supervisor within the E&T unit. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? At the point of review or change of policy, DHS reaches out to the Office of Policy Analysis, Research, and Development at DHS to discuss. All pertinent certification policy is disseminated by the Policy office directly to the field staff via email, review at quarterly meetings, online office hours and individual consult as needed. E&T is consulted on policy changes relevant to our procedure. E&T is also included in the general dissemination of policies. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. The Rhode Island team at LISC has worked effectively with DHS to implement the SNAP E&T program for the past 12 years. In that time, they developed significant expertise in and knowledge of best practices and have led its expansion to the current 20 providers that make up the RI SNAP E&T program. In partnership with DHS, LISC has developed the systems, procedures, and skills to efficiently administer contracts and deliver impactful program outcomes. LISC Rhode Island is supported by LISC National’s departments in Accounting and Finance, Government Contracts, Legal, Human Resources, IT and Policy, which results in high-capacity and high-compliance program management for the Rhode Island program. This integrated team infrastructure allows our local office to deliver an E&T program that is current with E&T policy and reporting guidelines, as well as to research, develop and implement nationally recognized best practices. Weekly meetings are held between LISC and DHS to discuss planning, provider, and programmatic issues. LISC has two Program Officers and a Program Assistant assigned to SNAP E&T. There is communication as program needs demand outside of these set meetings. RI has an excellent collaborative relationship with its intermediary. 1/29/26, 9:35 AM State Plan RI FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-rify26stateplan//index.html 11/89