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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. In South Dakota, the SNAP state agency that operates the SNAP program is the South Dakota Department of Social Services. Within SD DSS, the Division of Economic Assistance administers several programs such as: Child Care Assistance, Community Action, Energy & Weatherization, SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF. The Division of Economic Assistance operates the SNAP E&T program. SNAP E&T is administered by the State Office which consists of the SNAP Administrator and SNAP Program Specialists. Policies, contracts and monitoring of providers is completed by these same individuals. Local office staff report directly to the State Office with E&T program questions. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? The E&T unit communicates with eligibility staff through email, ACCESS (eligibility system mail messaging), phone and in-person. For issues of non-compliance, mail is sent automatically through our eligibility system and the E&T unit also follows up with an email to ensure effective communication. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. South Dakota has a contract for E&T services with the state agency Department of Labor and Regulations to provide activities and supportive services to all mandatory and ABAWD populations in our state. Communication includes information available to both parties on ACCESS system as well as by email and phone. South Dakota also has a contract with a third party partner Catholic Social Services (Catholic Charities) to provide activities and supportive services to those individuals in their program who are SNAP recipients. Communication is by phone and email to exchange needed information. South Dakota also has a contract with a third party partner Catholic Social Services (Catholic Charities) to provide activities and supportive services to those individuals in their program who are SNAP recipients. Communication is by phone and email to exchange needed information. Describe how the State agency shares new policies, procedures, or other information with the intermediary or other E&T provider. 1/29/26, 9:37 AM State Plan SD FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-sdfy26stateplan//index.html 15/84