In October 2024, The Network was invited to present on “Greater Impact Through Collaboration: Serving Individuals with Disabilities in SNAP E&T” alongside representatives from SourceAmerica, FNS-USDA, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, and OSDBU-USDA. Kelly Tessitore, SVP of Policy and Advancement for JVS Boston, represented The Network and spoke about how collaboration between SNAP and the AbilityOne Program can enhance public administration and better serve the disability community.

Kelly has been working alongside Robin Farabee-Siers, The Network’s Director of Engagement, on a four-year USDA funded SNAP E&T national partnership grant. “Applying to be in your state’s SNAP E&T plan is a lot of work, but Network member agencies who participated in this grant are seeing results. Thus far, JVS MetroWest in New Jersey and Alexander JFS in Houston have been accepted and are currently participating as third-party SNAP E&T providers in their states. Many other Network agencies are ready to submit their application as soon as an RFP is released.” says Robin Farabee-Siers.

Through this grant, 15 Network member agencies have accessed funding, cohort training, and individualized technical assistance to prepare applications to enter their state’s SNAP E&T plan. The goal of this project has been to build the capacity of Network member agencies interested in becoming third-party providers of SNAP E&T to better support improving economic outcomes for SNAP receiving job seekers. “Job seeker who receive SNAP benefits continue to face systemic barriers to accessing quality jobs and economic mobility. This grant has allowed Network member agencies to develop and enhance their existing workforce programs to better serve SNAP beneficiaries and connect them with vital training and supports to improve their economic opportunities.” Says Sarah Welch, SVP of Network Strategy and Business Development.

The Network hopes to continue its work in SNAP E&T in 2025 with efforts to enhance public administration and better serve the disability community through continued partnership with JVS Boston, SourceAmerica, The U.S. AbilityOne Commission, and USDA.

Photo from left to right – Kelly Tessitore – Network/JVS Boston, Shane Kanady – SourceAmerica, Daniel Lewis – OSDBU, and Amy Jensen – AbilityOne.