Assessing the Feasibility of Implementing SNAP in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

This feasibility study assessed the potential effects of providing nutrition assistance to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) instead of through its Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP), an annually funded block grant. The study conducted a systems change analysis of all the changes that would be needed to transition to SNAP, including legislative and policy changes, SNAP eligibility and electronic benefit transfer system changes, program integrity changes, and SNAP employment and training program changes. The study also estimated the initial implementation and annual operating costs of such a transition. Study methods included (1) an environmental scan of program documents, legislation, regulations, and other documents; (2) analysis of administrative NAP data and other secondary data sources; and (3) extensive in-person interviews with NAP and other government staff; employers, retailers, NAP participants, and community-based organizations in the CNMI; SNAP and vendor staff in Guam; Federal USDA staff in the National Office and Western Regional Office; and other key stakeholders across the islands.