Y. Study Description

Attachment Y. Study Description

OMB No. 0584-[NEW]

Job Search as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Component

January 20, 2021

Project Officer: Danielle Deemer

Office of Policy Support

Food and Nutrition Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1320 Braddock Place

Alexandria, VA 22314

703.305.2952

danielle.deemer@usda.gov

OMB Number: 0584-XXXX

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

The Role of Job Search as a SNAP E&T Component

1. What is The Role of Job Search as a SNAP E&T Component?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is conducting a research study in order to better understand job search activities serving SNAP E&T participants. Job search is intended to help E&T participants find a job more quickly, or find a better job, than they would on their own. Job search and job search training are the most commonly offered E&T component and have the highest participation rate across E&T activities. States have considerable flexibility in designing E&T programs, and job search activities vary in content, structure, and integration with other E&T components and providers. While some research has examined the impacts of job search in moving people toward economic self-sufficiency, there is little research considering the role of job search within States’ broader approach to coordinating employment and training for SNAP participants. Research about participants’ experience with job search is especially lacking. This research study will improve understanding of how job search works in conjunction with other employment and training strategies, when job search works best for whom, and whether job search impacts subgroups of participants differently. To address these questions, FNS has contracted with a research team led by Insight Policy Research, Inc. to conduct in-depth case studies in four States (Connecticut, Oregon, Michigan, and Tennessee).

2. How will the study be conducted?

• The data for in-depth case studies will be collected in 2020 upon receiving approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB approval is anticipated in early 2020.

• The research team will conduct a single site visit in each of the four study States. The team will conduct interviews with State and local SNAP staff, E&T providers, and other stakeholders.

• The research team will collect administrative and UI wage data on participants to assess relationships between job search activities and employment outcomes.

• The research team will also conduct in-depth phone interviews with current and former SNAP participants (individuals/households) to understand their experience with job search activities.

3. What are the main objectives of this study?

• To describe each State’s job search activities, requirements, and policies;

• To understand the process each State has used to implement job search activities and how those activities operate within the broader E&T program; and

• To examine impacts of job search activities on participant outcomes.

4. Where can I find additional information?

For further information, please contact project director Brittany McGill at 703-504-9485 or at bmcgill@insightpolicyresearch.com. The federal project officer for this study is Danielle Deemer, who can be reached at 703-305-2952 or at danielle.deemer@usda.gov.