Baltimore City is first location in statewide program that facilitates skilled employment with family-sustaining wages for those with high barriers to employment
Contact: Kari Nye
kari.nye@maryland.gov
(410) 767-8592
Baltimore—Department of Human Resources Secretary Sam Malhotra announced today a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture–Food and Nutrition Service (USDA–FNS) to fund a program to enable Marylanders with low skills and education to obtain job-driven training through a cohort of established workforce development organizations. USDA–FNS will reimburse participating organizations up to 50% of allowable program costs, thereby growing the State and other nonfederal funders’ investment by half and enabling the programs to reach more Marylanders.
The Food Supplement Employment and Training (FSET) Program will first target Baltimore City’s noncustodial parents with active child support cases who are also recipients of food stamps (SNAP) to deliver skilled training in construction, green jobs, healthcare, manufacturing,welding, warehousing, and other in-demand industries, before beginning statewide expansion in early 2017.
The six workforce partners—Baltimore City Community College, Center for Urban Families, Civic Works, Humanim, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, and Job Opportunities Task Force—are also grantees or subgrantees of the industry-led, nationally renowned workforce program EARN administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.
These partners support participants in overcoming barriers and securing skilled employment with family-sustaining wages that will reduce their need for SNAP.“A good job is imperative for families to thrive,” said Secretary Malhotra. “Our FSET Program partners have proven success in helping SNAP participants secure stable jobs with family-sustaining wages, and transitioning them into careers. I’m looking forward to continuing our partnerships with the USDA, our sister agencies, and the many workforce development experts who are changing Maryland for the better.”
Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, remarked, “USDA is committed to helping states reduce their SNAP caseloads the right way—by helping SNAP recipients find a good-paying job. With the FSET Program, Maryland is taking steps to strengthen training and job opportunities for SNAP participants that can lead to long-term self-sufficiency.”
DHR—the Maryland Department of Human Resources—is the state’s primary social service provider, serving more than one million people annually. Through its 24 local departments of social services, DHR aggressively pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need,provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Additional information may be found at www.dhr.state.md.us, or on Facebook and Twitter.
