Albany, NY - October 6, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $9.5 million in federal funding has been awarded to 39 organizations to assist New Yorkers receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Each of the organizations will match funds, resulting in $19 million to support education and training for SNAP recipients to enter the workforce.

“This administration has fought long and hard to help lift our most vulnerable New Yorkers out of poverty and provide them with the opportunity for a decent life,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will assist with our efforts, providing much needed job training and workforce development, and brings us closer to a stronger, better, fairer New York for all.”

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance received $9.5 million in federal funding and has allotted support to 39 organizations statewide through the SNAP Employment and Training Venture Program. The organizations are required to match funding with private and public resources, resulting in double the number of New Yorkers benefiting from the program.

“Governor Cuomo has continued to focus on creating job opportunities while ensuring there is a ready supply of talented workers,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “This approach has contributed greatly to the growing economy while ensuring those who need these jobs the most can effectively compete for them.”

The SNAP Employment and Training Venture Program is designed to provide workforce development, education and training to SNAP recipients through targeted job placement services. The program is aimed at supporting individuals faced with barriers to employment, including criminal or substance abuse history, low literacy, limited work history or unemployed and underemployed parents, limited English proficiency, and individuals without a high school diploma, including eligible youth between the ages of 16 and 24.

SNAP providers work closely with local Workforce Investment Boards to assist participants in achieving a credential that is in demand by local employers. Through the awarded organizations, individuals can earn a number of credentials, including junior accounting, building maintenance and weatherization, culinary arts, security, environmental remediation technician, construction laborer, retail management, home health aide, warehouse worker, commercial driver’s license, among others.

Funding awarded to BOCES organizations across the State include:

• BOCES Cayuga County, serving Cayuga County - $150,000
• BOCES Ulster County, serving Ulster County - $45,000
• Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington BOCES, serving Clinton, Essex, Warren and Washington counties - $300,000
• BOCES Delaware-Chenango-Madison Counties, serving Delaware, Chenango, Madison and Otsego counties- $178,750
• Erie 1 BOCES, Eric County, serving Erie County - $237,250
• Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, serving Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties - $362,250
• Orleans-Niagara BOCES, serving Niagara and Orleans counties - $400,000
• Oswego BOCES, serving Oswego County - $101,500
• Schuyler-Steuben-Chemung-Tioga-Allegany BOCES, serving Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Tioga counties - $306,375
• St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, serving Lewis and St. Lawrence counties - $300,000
• Rockland BOCES, serving Rockland County - $200,000

Funding awarded to additional organizations and schools across the State include:

Western New York

• Buffalo City School District, Erie County - $40,025
• Literacy West NY, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties – $300,000

Finger Lakes

• Research Foundation of SUNY Brockport, Monroe County, $400,000

Central New York

• Housing Visions Unlimited, Onondaga County – $145,750
• Research Foundation of SUNY Morrisville, Onondaga County – $241,250

Southern Tier

• Challenge Industries, Tioga and Tompkins counties - $370,625

Long Island

• Long Beach City School District, Nassau and Suffolk counties – $154,875

New York City

• Agudath Israel of America Community Services, Kings County - $186,625
• Center for Employment Opportunities, Kings County – $390,900
• Central Queens YM & YWHA, Queens - $241,250
• Chinatown Manpower Project, NYC - $109,000
• East Harlem Employment Services, NYC - $216,125
• Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, Kings County - $400,000
• El Barrios Operation Fight Back, Kings County –$150,000
• Henry Street Settlement, NYC - $114,125
• Leap, Inc., Kings County - $399,875
• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, NYC - $300,000
• Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, NYC – $189,375
• Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, Bronx – $400,000
• Per Scholas Inc., Bronx – $291,875
• Project Renewal Inc., NYC – $155,625
• Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, Inc., Kings County – $200,000
• South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Bronx –$196,250
• St. Nick’s Alliance, Kings County – $200,125
• The Fortune Society, Kings County – $400,000
• The Hope Program, NYC – $393,500
• The Research Foundation of CUNY Kingsborough Community College, Kings County – $200,000
• The Research Foundation of CUNY Manhattan Community College, NYC – $112,750

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, “While it is critically important that we provide millions of families assistance through SNAP, we must equip them with proper education and training they need to secure jobs. I thank Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment to lifting New Yorkers out of poverty and applaud the organizations serving my constituents in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx for participating in this vital program.”

Congressman José E. Serrano said, “This federal funding will help individuals without a job who receive food assistance successfully get back on their feet. By working with 39 local workforce development organizations, including three in the Bronx, the SNAP Employment and Training Venture Program will ensure participants receive the training and credentials they need to access local jobs. I’m particularly glad to see that more than $900,000 will specifically go towards helping Bronxites.”

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said, "Governor Cuomo’s announcement is welcomed news. Our State’s economic success is dependent on how well we serve the most underprivileged in our communities. The millions of federal dollars the Governor has allocated throughout the state will ensure that individuals that are willing to work are provided the necessary tools and skills to be successful, achieve their personal goals, and provide for their families. I am especially grateful for the nearly half-million in funds that will be allocated to program providers in or near my district. This is a critical step towards ensuring all New Yorkers receive the benefits of our economic recovery, regardless of their background."

Congressman Joe Crowley said, “The SNAP program is a crucial lifeline for countless New Yorkers who struggle to put food on the table every day. But one of the best ways to fight hunger is to help those struggling Americans get back on their feet and take advantage of new employment opportunities so they can sustain themselves and their families. I applaud Governor Cuomo for directing these federal dollars to organizations across New York that make job-training and job placement their top priorities.”

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “Through the SNAP Employment and Training Venture program organizations like the Buffalo City Schools and Erie 1 BOCES will reduce barriers to employment by helping job-seeking individuals develop in-demand, marketable skills. This forward-thinking, collaborative effort will benefit potential employees and their employers across New York State."

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said, “We must make sure our next generation is prepared with the skills they need to compete in a 21st century workforce. This important funding will help children across our district and across our state, and I commend Governor Cuomo for making it a priority.”

Congressman Dan Donovan said, “Individual initiative offers the best route out of poverty, and the greatest contributor is a job. Employment allows people to make their own decisions on where to live, which health care provider to use, and where to send their children for education. Simple steps like targeted training and employment assistance can mean the difference between years of reliance on government programs and the beginning of a career. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for advancing this initiative.”

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation Director of Education and Career Services William Blair said, “This program has been a lifeline to many members of our community. They develop actual skills that take them beyond just entry level jobs.”

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Case Manager Jennifer Driscoll said, “Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES is committed to providing quality, comprehensive educational services to adults receiving SNAP benefits. In collaboration with Cayuga County Department of Social Services, this funding enables us to provide instructional and support services to adults to improve literacy skills, earn a high school equivalency diploma, obtain career training, and secure employment that will lead to economic self-sufficiency.”

Challenge Workforce Solutions Director of Employment and Vocational Supports Martine Gold said, “This program is a great resource for the community. It has really allowed us to serve a broader population of people in the Tompkins County area who are struggling to get a job that will allow them to support themselves and their families.”

SUNY/Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center Executive Director Anthony Watson, administered by Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY, said, "All of us at MEOC are extremely excited to be selected to receive this funding to provide training and education services to recipients of SNAP. These services are much needed in our community and are tremendously effective in helping people gain the skills they need to enter the workforce and advance to better-paying jobs over time."

CUNY Kingsborough Community College Director of Academic/ESL Programs in the Office of Continuing Education Natalie Bredikhina said, “Kingsborough has significant experience in offering job skills training and we are excited to once again partner with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. This funding allows us to serve low-income adults and youth receiving SNAP benefits and provide them with education and vocational training they need to enter the workforce with jobs that provide a living wage and clearly defined opportunities for advancement.”