Page 21

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. ICAN is administered by members of the Food and Nutrition team at ESD. These staff also administer the certification process for 3SVT. ICAN-RU is administered by members of the RUFA program team in coordination with members of the Food and Nutrition team. How does the E&T unit coordinate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the units responsible for certification policy? ICAN and 3SVT are administered by the Food and Nutrition team at ESD. The same individuals responsible for 3SVT certification are also responsible for administering ICAN. The Food and Nutrition team is responsible for interpreting and writing policies for both 3SVT and ICAN. This includes updating the 3SVT policy manual, creating desk aids and procedures to aid staff in processing 3SVT eligibility, screening for work registration, time limits and ICAN. The team also administers ICAN through creation of the annual state plan, working with E&T providers and creating policies and procedures for ICAN Providers and ESD Staff. All individuals that participate in ICAN-RU first meet with someone responsible for certifying 3SVT benefits. ICAN-RU case managers (RUFA Case Manager or ICAN-RU providers) would verify in the ACCESS system if someone is eligible. ICAN-RU providers meet with the RUFA Supervisors once per month and provider supervisors quarterly to provide any updates. Materials (procedures, desk aids, etc.) are updated regularly and communicated to everyone via a weekly newsletter and email. ICAN-RU also meets monthly with the Food and Nutrition team to review ICAN-RU programing. Describe the State's relationships and communication with intermediaries or E&T providers. ESD works closely with ICAN and ICAN-RU providers to coordinate the delivery of E&T components and case management services to eligible participants. Communication between ESD and providers occurs through a variety of channels, including regular meetings, technical assistance sessions, trainings, and written communications such as emails, guidance documents, and provider handbooks. 1/29/26, 10:27 AM State Plan VT FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-vtfy26stateplan//index.html 21/159