Workforce director outlines grant pursuits and posts SNAP ABOD opportunity portal to help beneficiaries meet new work requirements

Tompkins County’s Workforce Development director, Chris Spawn, told the committee on April 1 that staff are pursuing regional and federal grant opportunities to expand training and on‑the‑job experiences and that the department is coordinating a community resource to help SNAP recipients meet new work requirements.

Spawn said county staff attended an Appalachian Regional Commission workshop and are exploring applications to support recovery‑ecosystem coordination and training pathways for people with substance‑use disorders. The department also tracked a youth‑build funding opportunity and discussed collaboration with INHS on hands‑on training and with community partners on solar installation and carpentry programs.

On SNAP changes, Spawn described a newly published county web resource for Able‑Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) — sometimes abbreviated ABOD in meeting materials — that links to a flyer and an Opportunity Map for volunteer and work postings. The portal is intended to centralize volunteer opportunities and short‑term placements so beneficiaries and caseworkers can identify placements that satisfy federal/state work‑requirement rules. "If someone needs to get volunteer hours, then they can go to this page and browse opportunities," he said.

Staff noted the new federal work requirements can translate into substantial monthly hour expectations for some recipients and stressed that caseworkers at the Department of Social Services determine exemptions and specific hourly obligations. The workforce department said it will continue to post trainings and opportunities and work with partners to prevent sudden loss of benefits as people transition to compliance or employment.