DPHSS presents CWEP/SNAP employment program to mayors; referral sheets distributed

The Department of Public Health and Social Services briefed the Mayor’s Council on CWEP (Community Work Experience Program) placements and SNAP employment‑and‑training requirements, with program coordinator Patrice explaining how mayors can receive participants and verify their work hours.

Patrice said SNAP E&T participants typically worked about 20 hours a week historically and that Guam has an ABOD waiver in place through Feb. 2026. She added that TANF job‑program participants have higher activity requirements and that the department is awaiting federal clarification following a recent federal shutdown that affected program guidance. Patrice distributed referral‑request sheets to each mayor to specify whether they want participants for groundskeeping, office duties, or other tasks and asked each office to identify a point of contact to verify hours.

Mayors asked how many participants may be sent; Patrice estimated perhaps ~500 additional participants could be affected by recent legislative changes but cautioned the figure was not final and depended on exemptions and federal guidance. She offered to visit mayoral offices for one‑on‑one orientation and stressed that referral sheets should indicate desired duties so participants are matched appropriately and gain employable skills.

The presentation was informational; mayors were encouraged to complete referral sheets and designate contacts to receive CWEP participants.