Department of Social and Health Services

Basic Food Employment & Training

A Program Overview that Builds Strong Partnerships to Transform Lives and Communities in Washington State

What is the BFET program?• The BFET program provides

education, employment, and training services to Basic Food recipients.

• The goal of the BFET program is to assist Basic Food recipients in obtaining a livable wage leading towards self-sufficiency.

• The BFET program is regarded as a national best practice program for processes and outcomes by the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

What is the BFET program?• The BFET program is a 50/50

reimbursement program.▫ Promotes partnerships among agencies

within the community▫ Promotes collaboration among BFET

providers▫ Diversify the revenue streams to assist

BFA recipients In FFY 2014, $13.8 million of local, state

and other funds was matched by the Federal government.

Services Provided to BFET Participants

▫Employability assessment▫Case management▫Job readiness training▫Basic skills/ESL training (literacy, math, vocational ESL,

GED preparation)▫Vocational training▫Job search assistance, job placement, and post-

employment support services

Support Services▫Transportation▫Safety clothing▫Housing and utility assistance▫Child care subsidy▫Personal hygiene and grooming▫School supplies▫Tools and equipment needed to secure employment

Brief History of BFET

•BFET began as a pilot program in 2005 in the White Center community.

•During 2007-2012, BFET program grew from King county to be a statewide program.

Year # of BFET Providers # of BFET Participants

2005 6 X

2006 10 183

2007 15 381 in 4th quarter

2012 53 2,142 in 1st quarter

2014 61 10,584 in 4th quarter

The Impact of BFET

• An average of 53% employment rate for 2005 – 2012▫61% employment rate for 2012

• BFET participants verses BFA only▫During the recession in 2008, BFET participants lost their

jobs at a much slower rate that BFA only recipients.▫BFET participants were 34% more likely to be employed

that BFA only in 2009. In 2010, the figure was 42%.▫BFET participants earn 9.5% more than BFA only in 2009.

In 2010, the figure is 9.3%.

Is BFET An Option• Who is eligible for BFET?

▫ Only SNAP recipients are eligible for BFET

▫ Non-TANF recipient

• Who is a good candidate for BFET?▫ ABAWDs▫ Community college student

(transfer degrees or 4-year degrees are not approved programs of study)

▫ Unemployed or under-employed individual

▫ DCA recipient▫ TANF applicant who desires to

save their 60 months▫ Any adult desiring to improve

their reading, writing and math skills (including LEP)

Additional Resources

•Website▫www.basicfoodet.org

•Dedicated BFET email address▫SWBFETPOLICY@dshs.wa.gov