74.04.535 - Food stamp employment and training program.

Food stamp employment and training program.

(1) The department, the employment security department, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall work in partnership to expand the food stamp employment and training program. Subject to federal approval, the program shall be expanded to three additional community colleges or other community-based locations in 2010 and shall expand capacity at participating colleges. To the greatest extent possible, expansion shall be geographically diverse. The agencies shall:

     (a) Identify and seek out partnerships with community-based organizations that can provide support services and case management to participants through performance-based contracts in the food stamp employment and training program, and do not replace the positions or work of department employees;

     (b) Identify eligible nonfederal matching funds to draw down the federal match for food stamp employment and training services. Matching funds may include: Local funds, foundation grants, employer-paid costs, and the state allocation to community and technical colleges.

     (2) Employment and training funds may be allocated for: Educational programs to develop skills for employability, vocational education, English as a second language courses, adult basic education, GED courses, remedial programs, job readiness training, case management, intake, assessment, evaluation, and barrier removal and support services such as tuition, books, child care, transportation, housing, and counseling services.

     (3) The department shall annually track and report outcomes including those achieved through performance-based contracts as follows: Federal funding received, the number of participants served, achievement points, the number of participants who enter employment during or after participation in the food stamp employment and training program, and the average wage of jobs attained. The report shall be submitted to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on November 1st of each year, beginning in 2010.

     (4) For purposes of this section, "food stamp employment and training program" refers to a program established and administered through the employment security department and the department of social and health services.

[2010 1st sp.s. c 8 § 3.]

Notes: Implementation -- 2010 1st sp.s. c 8 §§ 1-10 and 29: See note following RCW 74.04.225.

Findings--Intent -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2010 1st sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 74.04.225.