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This final rule will implement the Employment and Training (E&T) provisions of section 4022 of The Agricultural Act of 2014. The provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014 require reporting measures for States' E&T programs.

Statement of Need:

This final rule implements requirements for State agencies to report outcome data for SNAP E&T programs as mandated by Section 4022(a)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014. The final rule establishes separate reporting measures and requires State agencies to report annually outcome data to monitor the effectiveness of E&T programs. State agencies are also required to identify appropriate reporting measures for each component that serves a threshold number of participants of at least 100 a year. The reporting measures for these components will be identified in State agencies’ E&T plans and the outcome data will be reported to FNS in State agencies’ annual reports.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Section 4022 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 requires the Department to implement via rulemaking the amendments made by subsection (a)(2)

Alternatives:

The language in Section 4022 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 is very specific; therefore, no alternatives were considered for this rule.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Benefits: Benefits of this action include better data to inform policy makers regarding means to improve E&T effectiveness, ultimately benefiting SNAP E&T participants. National reporting measures will allow State and Federal program managers and policy makers to strategically plan on program tactics that will result in improved employment outcomes. Uniform reporting measures for E&T programs will potentially benefit SNAP applicants and recipients by providing data to help evaluate what works in SNAP E&T and share best practices from those programs. Costs: FNS estimates that the costs will include one-time capital costs for developing new or modifying existing data collection systems for E&T programs, additional reporting burden for collecting and reporting data for the required reporting measures, and, for those States that need to develop new systems, annual operating and maintenance costs for those systems. FNS anticipates minimal burden to a small number of low-income families and minimal, if any, impact on program participation. FNS anticipates that some costs will be paid for using the existing federal grant money States receive to operate E&T. State funds spent in excess of the grant are reimbursed at a 50 percent rate by the Federal government.

Risks:

N/A