Assessment of Nutrition Assistance Program Administration, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

The Farm Bill required the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to determine what changes would need to be made to the Commonwealth's Nutrition Assistance Plan so that it conforms to the requirements of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) used in the 48 contiguous states. In addition, FNS asked for analysis of options outside of SNAP that would make it easier for the Commonwealth to implement most of the core elements in SNAP.

We analayzed the Commonwealth's employment and training programs to understand what changes would need to be made to conform to SNAP, and identifying options to the normal employment and training program. Furthermore, we estimated the total administrative costs, not just for the employment and training program, to the Commonwealth if it were to convert to SNAP or a SNAP-like program.