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regarding potential barriers, etc. UWORKS provides an overview of the timing and activity for each E&T participant in the State’s E&T program. Describe the direct path to employment. The screening process for E&T ensures that an individual is an appropriate referral to the only available component of supervised job search in the State’s E&T program. During the E&T screening process the eligibility worker determines if the individual meets a Federal exemption. If the individual does not meet a Federal exemption, the eligibility worker screens for a state exemption. If the individual does not meet a state exemption, this means that the individual is a mandatory participant between the ages of 16 – 46. Utah is able to draw basic conclusions regarding the ability of the individual based upon the individual not meeting a Federal or State exemption and utilizing the E&T participation criteria. The eligibility worker asks questions related to the E&T participation criteria to determine appropriateness for referral to the State’s E&T program. Using these basic conclusions, Utah is able to determine that the individual does not have any employment barriers. Therefore, the individual is suitable for participation in the state’s E&T program and being able to obtain gainful employment. The state’s supervised job search component focuses on helping the E&T participant find employment opportunities in their local community. WDD employment counselors utilize information from labor market reports to identify workforce needs. During the monthly contact with the participant, employment counselors review information from the online job skill evaluation, job search progress, employment and/or education history, and information gained from the participant. Barriers are also discussed and the employment counselor assists as needed in their job searching efforts, reiterating the need for 48 job contacts and completion of any required training by the end of the third month of participation. Indicate the Target Population this component will serve. Select all that apply. Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders) Single parents Underemployed Describe the criteria for participation. Include the skills, knowledge, or experience necessary for participation in the component. For example, literacy or numeracy levels, recent labor market attachment, computer literacy, etc. The E&T participant must have the following skills, knowledge, or experience to participate in the State's supervised job search component; English literacy, Functional Skills Level 1 (practical life skills that help the individual operate confidently an effectively in education, work and everyday life), Information literacy (the ability to communicate information), Digital literacy (basic technology use), Computer literacy. Will this component be offered statewide? Yes No 1/29/26, 10:24 AM State Plan UT FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-utfy26stateplan//index.html 45/56