Basic Food, Employment and Training (BFET) Grant

Community and technical colleges which have received approval from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) may apply for the Basic Food, Employment and Training (BFET) program grant.

In October 2005, DSHS launched a pilot program in King County to substantially increase the amount of federal BFET dollars available to support employment and training services for low-income adults. Fifty percent of any allowable expenses incurred by a third-party contractor will be reimbursed by FNS. The pilot expanded in each year thereafter to include college providers across the state. The pilot was unique, representing the first third-party reimbursement program in the nation.

In 2009-10, the SBCTC negotiated an umbrella contract with DSHS, covering all of our participating CTCs. In 2011-12 DSHS, in partnership with the SBCTC, convened a strategic planning committee to produce a five- year plan to grow the BFET program statewide. Since 2013-14, all 34 CTCs offer the program, along with more than 30 Community Based Organizations.

Offered through the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program is another means by which the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) facilitates access to federal workforce education and training dollars to enable basic food recipients to gain the skills necessary for employment. The target population is basic food recipients, not currently on TANF.

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2023-24 

Important Dates

Milestones	Key Dates
Application available	June 15, 2023
Application deadline	July 26, 2023
Applicants notified of approved status	Sept. 2023
Grants begin	Oct. 1, 2023
Final budget revision deadline	Sept. 15, 2024
End date of grant	Sept. 30, 2024
Billing deadline for all expenses incurred through Sept. 30, 2024	Oct. 31, 2024

Grant program guidelines

The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process, and deadlines.  Please note: links will be added closer to the application available date.

• 2023-24 BFET Program Guidelines
• 2023-24 BFET Fiscal Guidelines

2022-23 

Important Dates

Milestones	Key Dates
Application available	July 1, 2022
Application deadline	Aug. 11, 2022
Applicants notified of approved status	Sept. 2022
Grants begin	Oct. 1, 2022
Final budget revision deadline	Sept. 15, 2023
End date of grant	Sept. 30, 2023
Billing deadline for all expenses incurred through Sept. 30, 2023	Oct. 31, 2023

Grant program guidelines

The following documents provide detailed information about how grant funds can be used, who can apply, the application process, and deadlines.

• 2022-2023 BFET Program Guidelines
• 2022-2023 BFET Fiscal Guidelines