VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Virginia SNAP E&T Program Vision & Mission

Virginia's SNAP E&T program vision is to empower individuals and families receiving SNAP benefits to achieve economic self-sufficiency through education, training and employment opportunities.

Virginia's SNAP E&T program mission is to empower SNAP participants by equipping them with the skills, resources and opportunities needed to obtain and maintain regular employment. By addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of participants, the program seeks to break the cycle of poverty and promote self-sufficiency.

SNAP E&T is part of the Commonwealth's workforce development system. This multi-component employment and training program is designed to assist SNAP recipients with employment and training needs. The goal of SNAP E&T is to provide SNAP recipients opportunities that will lead to paid employment and decreased dependency on assistance programs.

By providing employment and training services such as job search, adult education, vocational training and work experience, SNAP E&T offers financial and non-financial assistance to program participants. Services and community partnerships vary by locality and include services such as:

• Employment services (non-financial): Resume writing, employer networking, mock interviews, job search & application training, career certifications.
• Support services (financial): Work/job interview attire, transportation assistance (bus passes, gas reimbursement, car repairs), work permits, course registration fees.

Geographic Areas Covered by SNAP E&T

There are currently 34 SNAP E&T local agencies in Virginia. These localities are found throughout the state. As there is limited funding, there is not, at this time, the opportunity to serve other areas. Services to be offered include: Supervised Job Search, Job Search Training, Work Experience, Vocational Training and Education and Job Retention. In addition, certain areas will offer services to ex-offenders utilizing state funds and federal match.

SNAP E&T Agencies: Albemarle County, City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Bedford County, City of Bristol, Brunswick County, City of Charlottesville, City of Chesapeake, Chesterfield/Colonial Heights, City of Danville, Fairfax County, City of Galax, Grayson County, City of Hampton, Henry-Martinsville, King and Queen County, City of Manassas, Montgomery County, City of Newport News, City of Norfolk, City of Norton, City of Petersburg, Pittsylvania County, City of Portsmouth, Prince George County, City of Richmond, Roanoke County, Shenandoah Valley, Smyth County, Stafford County, Surry County, Tazewell County, City of Virginia Beach, and Wise County.

SNAP E&T 50-50 Program

This program consists of partnerships between the Virginia Department of Social Services and community organizations to provide employment and training services to SNAP E&T participants. The program reimburses community organization partners 50% of eligible program expenses. All services provided through SNAP E&T 50-50 are of no cost to SNAP E&T participants.

Benefits

• Growth of the SNAP E&T program and improved outcomes.
• Expanded resources at local departments of social services.
• Increased access to education and training programs.
• Opportunities for community organizations to leverage funds.
• FREE training, work experience and hands-on experiences.
• New skills that can be included on resume.
• Supportive services for participants (if needed):
  • Childcare.
  • Transportation (gas cards, bus passes, carpool, etc.)
  • Education-related expenses (books, supplies, certain fees).
  • Pre-employment costs (uniforms, work clothing, background checks).

The SNAP E&T 50-50 program provides the following services to SNAP recipients:

• Individualized case management.
• Supervised job searches: Job application assistance, labor market information.
• Job-search training: Resume development/review, interview practice, skills assessments.
• Education & training: General Educational Development (GED) test preparation, postsecondary programs.
• Work experience: On-the-job training.
• Job retention: Follow-up and mentorship for up to 90 days after employment begins.

Current SNAP E&T 50-50 Partners

1. Equus Workforce Solutions - Services provided by Caritas and HumanKind. Service Areas: City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Hanover, City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Botetourt, Craig, Montgomery, Floyd.
2. Moving Forward Agency - Service Areas: Areas south of Richmond: Chesterfield-Colonial Heights, Henrico, Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Greensville-Emporia, Prince George, Surry, Sussex.
3. Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) - Job Readiness for SNAP recipients enrolled through NVFS residing in Fairfax County, Manassas and Prince William.
4. Virginia Community College System (VCCS)- Training programs offered at all 23 community colleges throughout Virginia: FastFoward (credentials and certifications for regional, in-demand industries), FANTIC (funding for FastForward training), Great Expectations (serving former foster youth). Service Areas: All localities within Virginia; available at all 23 community colleges statewide.

Partner Requirements

A good SNAP E&T partner must adhere to the following criteria:

• Along with case management services, provides at least one of the following: supervised job search, job readiness/skill training, work experience, education/training and/or other appropriate job preparation for SNAP recipients.
• Has non-federal resources that could be leveraged against U.S. Department of Agriculture 50% reimbursement funds.
• Pays for the cost-of-service delivery up front with non-federal funds.
• Identifies and tracks non-federal expenditures eligible for reimbursement and cost allocations.
• Tracks and reports performance and outcome data.
• Has the staffing capacity to effectively administer/operate a SNAP E&T program.
• Offers training that leads to industry-recognized credentials.
• Has remote service delivery and distance-learning capabilities.
• Works in partnership with local departments of social services to increase referrals, collaborate on service offerings and build strategic partnerships to increase opportunities for SNAP recipients in the Commonwealth.
• Submits all required documentation (invoices, quarterly reports) in a timely manner.

If interested in learning about how to become a SNAP E&T 50-50 provider, please contact SNAP50-50@dss.virginia.gov.

• SNAP E&T - State Plan FY25 (PDF)

Flyer

• SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Flyer (PDF)