The following definitions are pertinent to Career Boost providers and the service they provide their customers.
SNAP E&T Participant – To be considered a SNAP participant for purposes of the SNAP E&T program, an individual must:
- Be eligible or receiving SNAP benefits.
- Be 16 years of age or older. (Career Boost customers must be at least 17 years of age.)
- No eligible for the TANF JOBS program.
To be considered a SNAP E&T participant, an individual must knowingly volunteer for the SNAP E&T program, receive an orientation, assessment, and a case plan by the provider. In addition, they must be placed in an approved and appropriate SNAP E&T component that the provider administers, purchases, or maintains attendance record as required by DHS.
Assessment – A meeting with a customer to identify strengths and challenges the customer may face in obtaining and maintaining employment. Assessment considerations should include the customer’s short-term and long-term goals and:
| Basic Skills Literacy | Demographics | Medical & disability consideration |
| Childcare needs | Educational attainment | Public benefits |
| Criminal background | Family composition | Transportation needs |
| Cultural & religious considerations | Housing circumstances | Work experience |
Case Management – Case management must be provided with each E&T component. Case management includes guiding, motivating and supporting job seekers by continually assessing their needs and barriers, identifying resources, and advising on career and training opportunities. Case management also includes tracking of case plan progress and making adjustments as needed, but at least one time per month.
Case Plan – A written outline, developed together with the participant and provider staff, listing approved SNAP E&T components that will be case managed, and administered or purchased by the provider. The components are identified during the assessment and are intended to reduce the effect of barriers to the participant’s employment, job retention, and wage enhancement. The case plan minimally must include short and long-term goals, dates for activity completion, provider contact information, participant signature, and at least one approved SNAP E&T component that will be administered or purchased.
Orientation – An overview of the organization, programs, requirements, and services offered as part of the SNAP E&T program.
SNAP E&T Components offered by Career Boost Providers
Contact your contract manager or check your contract to confirm which components you are authorized to offer as a service to your Career Boost customers.
Career/Technical Education or Other Vocational Training – Organized activities at the post-secondary level that provide SNAP E&T individuals with the academic and technical knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for further education and for careers in current or emerging employment sectors. Programs are primarily designed for those who are beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance. Ideally, such programs should be employer-driven and lead to industry-recognized certificates or credentials.
English Language Acquisition – A component designed to help English language learners achieve competence in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the English language.
Job Retention – Services provided to SNAP E&T participants who have secured employment after participating in another E&T component and are no longer receiving SNAP benefits. This component is meant to help achieve satisfactory performance, retain employment, or to increase earnings over time. The participant may receive up to 90 days of job retention services. The 90 days begins when the SNAP benefits end. SNAP benefits must have ended due to employment.
Job Search Training – A component that strives to enhance the job search skills of SNAP E&T participants by providing instruction in job seeking techniques and increasing motivation and self–confidence. The component may consist of job skills assessments, job placement services, or other direct training or support activities. Other activities may include resume writing workshops and learning how to use online job search tools. The job search training component may combine job search activities with other training and support activities.
Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship – A combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs can be sponsored by individual employers, joint employer and labor groups, and/or employer associations. Pre-Apprenticeship programs provide individuals with the basic and technical skills necessary to enter an apprenticeship program and should be directly linked to an apprenticeship program
Short-Term Training – Organized activities at the post-secondary level that provide individuals with the academic and technical knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for further education and for careers in current or emerging employment sectors. Programs are primarily designed for those who are beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance. Such programs should be employer-driven, but do not lead to industry-recognized certificates or credentials.
Work Experience – A work component designed to improve the employability of SNAP E&T participants through actual work experience and/or training. Work experience assignments may not replace the employment of a regularly employed individual, and they must provide the same benefits and working conditions provided to regularly employed individuals performing comparable work for comparable hours. Can’t pay for participant wages only staff wages supporting participants in a work experience.