2017 New Jersey Revised Statutes
TITLE 44 - POOR
Section 44:10-98 - Proposals to participate in demonstration project.

44:10-98 Proposals to participate in demonstration project.

4. a. The commissioner shall issue a request for proposals from qualifying agencies to participate in the demonstration project no later than 60 days following the effective date of this act.

b. The department shall select no fewer than three partnering providers, from among qualifying agencies submitting proposals, to participate in the demonstration project for a period of four years. Partnering providers shall provide services under NJ SNAP ETP to eligible participants and be eligible to receive federal reimbursements for those services pursuant to the conditions of this act.

c. Each qualifying agency shall be evaluated for participation as a partnering provider in the demonstration project based on the agency's capacity to: serve eligible participants under NJ SNAP ETP; identify and utilize non-federal resources qualifying for federal SNAP ETP reimbursements pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.); present and implement a coherent program plan for NJ SNAP ETP activities, as described in subsection d. of this section; and perform effectively each of the functions specified in section 6 of this act.

d. Each qualifying agency's proposal shall include a program plan describing how the agency's activities under the demonstration project would fulfill the purposes of NJ SNAP ETP. The program plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) the program goals and objectives, including the agency's priorities for serving eligible participants in the State;

(2) the program design, including: strategies for targeting and recruiting eligible participants; educational skills and training activities; work-related activities; job preparation, placement, and retention activities; strategies for coordinating with the county welfare agencies and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and strategies for providing support services, including case management, early intervention, career counseling, and referrals to additional programs and services;

(3) the program budget, including the overall resources to be used to support the agency's NJ SNAP ETP activities, the specific non-federal resources to be used to generate federal SNAP ETP reimbursements, and the intended utilization of anticipated federal SNAP ETP reimbursements;

(4) the extent to which community partners, including subcontractors, will be involved in the agency's activities; and

(5) the agency's plans for performing each of the functions specified in section 6 of this act.

e. In selecting partnering providers for participation in the demonstration project, the department shall prioritize partnering providers that would:

(1) serve SNAP recipients with significant barriers to employment, including, but not limited to: able-bodied adults without dependents required to participate in employment and training programs as a condition of receiving SNAP benefits; individuals with a history of substance abuse or other work limitations; ex-offenders; individuals with low literacy or limited English proficiency; veterans who are not eligible for other employment and training programs; and persons who are 16 through 24 years of age;

(2) serve unemployed or underemployed parents, including non-custodial parents and parents who have exceeded their Work First New Jersey TANF 60-month lifetime limit on cash assistance;

(3) provide training in both vocational and technical skills, as well as "soft skills," including, but not limited to: workplace preparation training, teamwork, problem solving, time management, and conflict resolution;

(4) provide training that results in marketable credentials and that prepares participants for employment or reemployment in industries with projections of growth, as the department identifies those industries in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development;

(5) conduct job development activities and identify how job opportunities will be secured to maximize SNAP recipients' permanent placement in employment providing compensation at the level of a living wage and opportunities for wage progression; and

(6) demonstrate a proven history of successful job placement and retention.

f. The department may select partnering providers that would provide NJ SNAP ETP services within any service area including, but not limited to: the entire State; one or more regions encompassing several counties; or a single county.

g. Upon selection of a partnering provider, the department shall negotiate and execute a memorandum of understanding with the partnering provider, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and county welfare agencies, as applicable. The memorandum of understanding shall define the extent and degree of assistance among the department, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the county welfare agencies, and the partnering provider.

h. The commissioner shall establish standards of performance for partnering providers conducting demonstration project activities pursuant to this act, including, but not limited to, standards for performing the programmatic functions and financial functions required pursuant to section 6 of this act. The memorandum of understanding negotiated and executed pursuant to subsection g. of this section shall include a performance-based system for distributing federal SNAP ETP reimbursements to each partnering provider based upon the partnering provider's achievement of the standards of performance.

i. Upon finding that a partnering provider has not conducted its demonstration project activities in accordance with the standards of performance established in subsection h. of this section or that a partnering provider has otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of this act, the commissioner may: take such action as is necessary to correct the deficiencies of the provider; and terminate the partnering provider's participation in the demonstration project if the provider fails to take remedial action.

L.2013, c.45, s.4.