Expanding Opportunities & Reducing Barriers to Work: Interim Summary Report. Evaluation of Pilot Projects to Promote Work and Increase State Accountability in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized $200 million for the development, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects to test innovative strategies to reduce dependency on and increase employment among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington received grants in March 2015 and began implementing their pilots between January and April 2016. All grantees concluded pilot services by April 2019. The interim summary report presents short-term outcome findings for the 12 month period after pilot enrollment for individuals who enrolled by December 2017. This report summarizes findings from the 10 pilot-specific interim reports. Key findings include: (1) The 10 pilots implemented diverse service models and served various target groups; (2) Grantees faced steep implementation challenges such as hiring staff and developing partnerships; (3) Both pilot engagement and exit rates were high during the 12 month follow-up period; and (4) The pilots had few impacts on employment and did not decrease SNAP participation during the fourth quarter. [Staff from the following organizations assisted with this study: Insight Policy Research; Koné Consulting; Decision Information Resources; Food and Nutrition Service's Office of Policy Support (OPS); and FNS Office of Employment and Training (OET). For the summary of the Interim Summary Report, see ED620375. For the Interim Report Technical Supplement, see ED620378.]