OAR 461-001-0020: Definitions; SNAP Employment and Training Components and Activities

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. (10) Workfare: See OAR 461-190-0500.