The SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program
consists of STEP (see OAR
461-101-0010) and ABAWD (see OAR
461-101-0010). The purpose of
these programs is to assist individuals receiving SNAP benefits to obtain
skills, training, work and experience to increase their ability to obtain
living-wage employment that leads to a gainful career path. For limitations in
the SNAP E&T programs, see OAR
461-190-0310. For detailed rules
about the SNAP E&T programs, see OAR
461-130-0305 through
461-130-0335 and OAR
461-135-0520. The following
definitions apply to rules about the SNAP E&T programs in OAR chapter
461:
(1) "Assessment" means an
activity that involves a one-on-one meeting for gathering information to
identify SNAP E&T participant information to enable them to engage in SNAP
E&T components. The assessment shall be delivered using trauma-informed
person-centered practices. The assessment is completed with each SNAP E&T
participant prior to any component being offered by the SNAP E&T
provider.
(2) "Case plan" means a
written plan, developed together with the participant and Department or SNAP
E&T provider staff, as a result of the assessment. The case plan lists
approved and appropriate components to be case managed and administered or
purchased by the SNAP E&T provider. SNAP E&T providers or Department
staff shall complete a case plan with each participant prior to any component
being offered.
(3) "Case
management" means the ongoing support by the SNAP E&T provider to the
participant. Case management also includes tracking of case plan progress and
making adjustments as needed, completed by the SNAP E&T provider at least
once per month.
(4) "Component"
means a group of employment or training activities with a demonstrable impact
on improving self-sufficiency. Components are created and defined by the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 and are comprised of a variety of activities that
directly provide participants with the skills or training to obtain
employment.
(5) "Educational
Component" means education-based activities that improve basic skills. The
educational components are: Basic Education / Foundational Skills Instruction,
Career/Technical Education, Short-Term Training, or other Vocational Training,
English Language Acquisition, Integrated Education and Training / Bridge
Programs and Work Readiness Training. Activities charged to the SNAP E&T
program may not supplant non-federal funds for existing educational services or
activities or be more than what the general public would pay for the same
service.
(6) "FLSA" means Fair
Labor Standards Act, the law that applies to subject employers with individuals
working in the Workfare. "FLSA" requires that individuals engaged in unpaid
employment, in effect, may not "work off" their SNAP and TANF benefits at an
hourly rate less than the state minimum wage.
(7) "Non-Education, Non-Work Component" means
activities to support a participant's ability to obtain or maintain employment
through training and activities designed to meet their employment needs. The
non-education, non-work components are: Supervised Job Search, Job Search
Training, Self-Employment and Job Retention.
(8) "Orientation" means an overview of the
organization, programs, expectations, and services offered as part of the SNAP
E&T program. SNAP E&T providers must complete an orientation with each
SNAP E&T participant prior to any component being offered.
(9) "Work Experience Components" means
components with an emphasis on employer engagement, including specific training
objectives, that lead to regular employment. The work-based learning components
are: Internship, Internship with Subsidized Employment, Pre-Apprenticeship /
Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship / Apprenticeship with Subsidized Employment,
On-The-Job Training, Work-Based Learning -Other, Work-Based Learning - Other
with Subsidized Employment. Work-based learning components can include both an
unsubsidized employment model or a subsidized employment model whereby SNAP
E&T funds are used to subsidize a portion of the participant's wage or
extraordinary training costs.
