DPSS ePolicy

To release new policy and procedures for the CalFresh Employment and Training Screening and Referral Process. This includes steps to take to ensure proper screening is done on each individual, and  an accurate referral can be made.

The CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) Program is a voluntary program available to California residents who receive CalFresh benefits and want to enhance their employment opportunities through education, training, or work-based learning. CFET is California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Program.

In Los Angeles (L.A.) County, the CFET Program is administered by the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). CFET services are provided through CFET partner agencies, including Fresh Success, the Center for Economic Opportunities (CEO), and the Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO) through their Skill Up Los Angeles (SULA) Program.

As part of the certification for CalFresh benefits, Eligibility staff are responsible for screening and referring individuals who are a “good fit for CFET” to participate in the CFET Program. DPSS defines its “good fit for CFET” criteria as CalFresh work registrants who:

1. Are not applying for or receiving CalWORKs or General Relief (GR) benefits; and
2. Can work and are actively seeking employment and/or training opportunities.

The referral to the CFET Program must only be done after an individual is identified as a “good fit for CFET.” A referral is made when the eligible participant requests to volunteer for the CFET Program. The participant is provided with the ABP 4079, CFET Resource Guide for CFET Volunteers, to locate a provider of their choosing. Upon referral and enrollment into the CFET Program, the CFET provider completes an assessment with the CFET participant to identify their skills, background, and E&T goals. The CFET case manager then assigns them to a CFET component that supports their E&T goals.

The screening and referral process is considered complete when:

1. Non-exempt work registrants are screened for CFET and referred to the CFET Program if they request to volunteer.
2. The outcome of the CFET screening and referral is documented in the case journal.

The county cannot disqualify CFET participants from CalFresh if they fail to follow CFET requirements. CalFresh benefits cannot be sanctioned or negatively affected due to non-participation in the CFET Program. Eligibility staff can refer to the Work Registration page for policy and procedures regarding the CalFresh Work Requirements.

Federal regulations require States to implement an E&T Program for members of a SNAP (CalFresh) household (HH). The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) created the CFET Program to help CalFresh applicants/participants acquire skills, develop tools, and receive training to secure employment. CFET participants are eligible to receive transportation and ancillary payments, when needed, to participate in their assigned E&T activities or to meet a work requirement.

Counties can design their CFET Program based on allowable components and activities, population characteristics, in-demand occupations, service providers, and available funding sources. Therefore, the CDSS allows county agencies to define their own criteria for identifying individuals who are a “good fit for CFET” for their CFET Program.

As part of the final rule on E&T Opportunities in SNAP, published on January 5, 2021, the national focus has shifted to emphasize greater accountability for E&T and its participants. The final rule emphasizes the importance of strengthening proper employment and training, as well as matching participants’ needs with supportive services through appropriate screening and referral. Appropriately screening individuals before the referral to CFET supports access to program benefits and ensures participants are referred to programs that support the individual’s employment and training goals.