State Food Assistance Employment and Training Program

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, through its Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, administered the State Food Assistance Employment and Training Program to support employment readiness services for immigrants and refugees who are not eligible for federally funded food assistance programs. The program was designed to address gaps created by federal eligibility restrictions and recent legislative changes that expanded the population of individuals relying on state-funded food assistance. The initiative aimed to provide structured pathways for participants to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment, with a particular emphasis on supporting newly ineligible populations transitioning from federal programs. The program’s purpose was to fund qualified service providers to deliver employment and training services tailored to participants receiving State Food Assistance benefits. These services included job readiness training, job search assistance, English language acquisition, basic education, job skills training, and self-employment training. Providers were expected to design programs that addressed employment barriers while supporting participants in developing both soft and technical skills. In addition, providers were required to offer support services such as transportation, housing assistance, and access to necessary tools and technology, with a required allocation of at least ten percent of program budgets toward these supports. Funding for the program was appropriated by the Washington State Legislature, with a total allocation of $560,000 to support service delivery. Additional funding from related state initiatives could supplement this amount depending on availability. The program used a performance-based contracting model, requiring providers to meet specific outcomes such as participant enrollment, completion of training activities, employment placement, and job retention benchmarks. Performance metrics also included the number of participants served and successful completion of individualized employment plans. Eligible applicants included organizations with demonstrated experience serving refugee and immigrant populations, particularly those with at least two years of relevant experience within the past five years. Applicants were required to maintain a Washington State business license, demonstrate the capacity to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and operate accessible service locations. The program encouraged participation from minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, although no preference points were guaranteed solely on that basis. The application process requires submission of multiple documents, including a cover sheet, narrative proposal, budget spreadsheet, certifications, and contractor intake forms. Applications need to be submitted electronically via email to the administering agency. The evaluation process includes an administrative review followed by a scored evaluation based on the quality of proposed services, organizational capacity, cost effectiveness, and anticipated impact. Applications are reviewed by a designated evaluation team, and awards are made based on overall value and alignment with program goals. The application period opened on March 24, 2026 and closes on May 4, 2026. Following submission, applications are reviewed over a defined evaluation period, with award notifications to be issued on May 19, 2026. Contracts are expected to begin on July 1, 2026. The program does not specify a recurring funding cycle, and future funding opportunities are dependent on legislative appropriations and agency priorities. Contact with the administering agency is restricted to a designated email channel, and all application-related inquiries are required to be submitted through that official communication method.

Ensure all required attachments are complete and submitted separately. Focus on clearly addressing narrative questions and aligning services with program goals. Demonstrate experience serving refugee and immigrant populations and provide realistic cost estimates.