Employment Opportunities, Personalized Services, Individualized Training, and Career Planning (EPIC) provided enhanced case management support, expanded occupational skills training, and offered a broad array of support services targeted to two groups of SNAP participants-unemployed or underemployed SNAP work registrants with low skills or limited work experience and those who were working but needed additional skills to increase earnings. All EPIC participants received enhanced case management support compared to light case management services available in standard SNAP E&T services. Career navigators engaged participants in setting and monitoring goal progress and active job search assistance after completion of training programs.
Most service providers required participants to complete a job readiness training course before they could complete other activities. Participants were referred either to a basic education provider or to occupational skills training depending on whether they met basic education requirements at entry. Some participants were referred to work experience, on-the-job-training, or subsidized work before, during, or after occupational skills training.
Occupational skills programs ranged from 6 to 20 weeks depending on the field selected and service provider. Participants who found jobs could receive up to 90 days of job retention services and continued case management. EPIC provided financial support up to $1,000 per participant, often focused on job-specific needs such as transportation assistance, affording work-related supplies (e.g., uniforms, tools), and clothing for job interviews.
The study was conducted in Illinois.
Employment Opportunities, Personalized Services, Individualized Training, and Career Planning (EPIC) provided enhanced case management support, expanded occupational skills training, and offered a broad array of support services targeted to two groups of SNAP participants-unemployed or underemployed SNAP work registrants with low skills or limited work experience and those who were working but needed additional skills to increase earnings.