The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to award up to $200 million in competitive grants that will fund new employment and training programs intended to help low-income individuals and families find jobs and increase their earnings. The grant recipients are scheduled to be announced in February of 2015.
USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon detailed the 2014 Farm Bill-authorized grants on Thursday at an event hosted at the Hunger Task Force Farm in Franklin. He was joined by Kevin Moore, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, who said he is awaiting more parameters of the grants but is eager for Wisconsin to compete. Applications are due Nov. 24.
The grants, which are available for state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) agencies, will fund up to 10 pilot projects to test a variety of methods designed to enhance employability, increase the earnings of SNAP work registrants and help people transition from the program.
The USDA is looking for states to submit proposals that target individuals with low skills, able-bodied adults without dependents and recipients who are working in very low-wage or part-time jobs.
Moore said he looks forward to collaborating with Wisconsin’s stakeholders, some of which were in attendance at Thursday’s event, on determining how the grant can fill in the gaps between the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program, Wisconsin Works (W-2) and other Workforce Development programs.
“I think this offers another opportunity for us to continue to focus on building the economy and getting people higher income wages, so ultimately they’re using their own wages to purchase what they need for their families and loved ones,” Moore said.
All 53 state agencies currently administering SNAP are eligible to apply, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
