Pilot projects to reduce dependency and increase work effort in the supplemental nutrition assistance program

Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(l)

Pilot projects To reduce dependency and increase work effort in the supplemental nutrition assistance program

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, pilot projects to identify best practices for employment and training programs under this Act to raise the number of work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employment, increase their earned income, and reduce their reliance on public assistance, including but not limited to the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (2)

Selection criteria

Pilot projects shall be selected based on criteria the Secretary establishes, that shall include— (A)enhancing existing employment and training programs in the State; (B)agreeing to participate in the evaluation described in paragraph (3), including making available data on participants’ employment activities and post-participation employment, earnings, and public benefit receipt; (C)collaborating with the State workforce board and other job training programs in the State and local area; (D)the extent to which the pilot project’s components can be easily replicated by other States or political subdivisions; and (E)such additional criteria that ensure that the pilot projects— (i)target a variety of populations of work registrants, including childless adults, parents, and individuals with low skills or limited work experience; (ii)are selected from a range of existing employment and training programs including programs that provide— (I)section 20 workfare; (II)skills development for work registrants with limited employment history; (III)post-employment support services necessary for maintaining employment; and (IV)education leading to a recognized postsecondary credential, registered apprenticeship, or secondary school diploma or its equivalent; (iii)are located in a range of geographic areas, including rural, urban, and Indian reservations; and (iv)include participants who are exempt and not exempt under section (6)(d)(2). (3)

Evaluation

The Secretary shall provide for an independent evaluation of projects selected under this subsection to measure the impact of the pilot projects on the ability of each pilot project target population to find and retain employment that leads to increased household income and reduced dependency, compared to what would have occurred in the absence of the pilot project. (4)

Report to congress

By September 30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit, to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a report that includes a description of— (A)the results of each pilot project, including an evaluation of the impact of the project on the employment, income, and public benefit receipt of the targeted population of work registrants; (B)the Federal, State, and other costs of each pilot project; (C)the planned dissemination of the reports’ findings with State agencies; and (D)the steps and funding necessary to incorporate components of pilot projects that demonstrate increased employment and earnings into State employment and training programs. (5)

Funding

From amounts made available under section 18(a)(1), the Secretary shall make $10,000,000 available for each of the fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016 to carry out this subsection. Such amounts shall remain available until expended. (6)

Use of funds

(A)Funds provided under this subsection for pilot projects shall be used only for— (i)pilot projects that comply with the provisions of this Act; (ii)the costs and administration of the pilot projects; (iii)the costs incurred in providing information and data to the independent evaluation under paragraph (3); and (iv)the costs of the evaluation under paragraph (3). (B)Funds made available under this subsection may not be used to supplant non-Federal funds used for existing employment and training activities.