Partnering With CalFresh Outreach to Improve Access to Nutrition Benefits Presented by: Date:

2 Introducing California’s new food assistance brand name. Spanish Logo

3 What is CalFresh? CalFresh, is the new name in California for the Food Stamp Program ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Federally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP

4 New stakeholder work group included representatives from: Assembly Member Jim Beall’s office California Association of Food Banks California Dept. of Public Health – Network for a Healthy California California Dept. of Social Services California Food Policy Advocates California Health and Human Services Agency County Food Stamp Program representatives County Welfare Directors Association of California Former First Lady Maria Shriver’s office

5 2-years of formative research & evaluation. A brand architecture similar to the Network reflects AB 433’s marching orders: –Convey food stamps are no longer delivered by stamps. –The program supports healthy living. –The program is important to California agriculture. –The program would be better viewed as a health and nutrition program than a welfare program.

6 Methodical Approach, cont’d. Six names and logo designs developed and tested. Qualitative feedback solicited from almost 700 low-income Californians. Result:

7 Re-branding is another step in program changes that benefit low-income Californians. Replaced paper coupons in 2001 with a convenient EBT card. Eligibility information is more available through a statewide hotline, mass media, ~100 community organizations. More online applications being used, often waiving requirements for face-to- face interviews.

8 Program changes that benefit low-income Californians, cont’d. Created customer service call centers. Increased time period between certifications. Now considering only family incomes without forcing them into poverty by first depleting assets and resources. Automatically enroll school-aged children for school meal programs.

9 Where are re-branding funds coming from? The California Endowment generously provided the resources for surveying, testing and development.

10 The new name captures the essentials for a successful food assistance program. Accessibility Simplicity Freshness Empowerment

11 Electronic Benefit Transfer Card “Food Stamp Program” carried the “welfare” stigma. Nutrition assistance not provided using stamps since 2001.

12 CalFresh is a Health and Nutrition Program Low-income Californians are at greater risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. CalFresh can help ensure access to healthy foods. This lowers the risk for serious health problems.

13 CalFresh is important to better health for millions of Californians. 3 million Californians currently participate in the program. Many are new participants due to the recession and unemployment. Current enrollment represents less than half the number who likely qualify.

14 The CalFresh Program is important to California’s economy. Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, create a huge burden on our economy. Local economies and jobs benefit from CalFresh. – every $1 of federal food stamp benefits results in $1.79 of new local economic activity.

15 Rolling out CalFresh statewide Media partnership with Clear Channel, Radio Bilingüe Outdoor advertising New brochures Tool Kit for CalFresh Outreach Partners Partnership with California Dept. of Aging Partnership with Senior Legal Hotline

16 CalFresh is for legal residents of California that meet the eligibility requirements.

17 Children make up the majority of CalFresh participants. In FFY09, ~60 percent of California participants were children. –~20 percent preschoolers –~40 percent school-aged children Slightly over 70 percent of CalFresh households included children in FFY09. Research shows that eating nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables can help children do better in school.

18 CalFresh Outreach contractors 7 Prime Contractors California Association of Food Banks, Central Valley Health Network, CSU Chico Research Foundation, Catholic Charities of California, UFW Foundation, Clinica Sierra Vista Info Line San Diego dba San Diego Subcontractors 22 Sub Hub contractors 117 contracted agency participate in outreach

19 Outreach partners are responsible for promotion and working to get participants into the system. Expand community partnerships to promote CalFresh. Educate clients, partners, stakeholders about CalFresh. Help clients fill out application (hard copy or online). Help clients estimate CalFresh benefits. Partner with county CalFresh administrators to streamline access.

20 CalFresh Outreach is statewide.

21 CalFresh English-Language Brochure

22 CalFresh Spanish-Language Brochure

23 SNAP-ed funded partners can accelerate the roll-out by promoting CalFresh. Learn about the CalFresh Program. –Attend training like this. Visit food banks. Call your partners. Distribute CalFresh Materials. –You cannot use Nutrition Education funds to develop outreach materials but you can download free material from a number of websites. Invite CalFresh Outreach partners to your events.

24 SNAP-ed funded partners can accelerate the roll-out by promoting CalFresh cont. Provide CalFresh applications. –These are available at the Health & Human Service offices & can be downloaded from the CDSS website Make CalFresh information part of your work Promote CalFresh by educating clients, partners, collaboratives and stakeholders about CalFresh. Co-brand materials with CalFresh when possible.

25 Important People currently on Food Stamps do not need to reapply. – They are automatically enrolled in CalFresh. – They continue receiving benefits on their EBT cards for as long as they qualify.

26 Questions

27 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions If I am currently on the Food Stamp Program do I have to reapply? –No, people using food stamps do not need to reapply. They are automatically enrolled in CalFresh, and will continue receiving benefits on their EBT cards for as long as they qualify. Am I excluded if I work? –No, you may still qualify depending on your income. For information on CalFresh benefits, call or visit For information in Spanish, call COMIDA.

28 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Can I get CalFresh if I am not a citizen? –CalFresh is for legal residents of California that meet the eligibility requirements. Citizen children of immigrants may qualify. Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are eligible for CalFresh benefits. Eligible household members can get CalFresh benefits even if other members of the household are not eligible.

29 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions I am a senior. Can I qualify for CalFresh? –Many seniors are cashed out of the CalFresh Program and receive benefits as part of their Social Security check. If you are over 60 years old, call the Senior Legal Hotline at to ask about CalFresh.

30 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Isn’t the name CalFresh misleading given that not everything purchased with EBT cards is fresh? –CalFresh is a name, not an exhaustive list of purchasable foods. –The “Fresh” portion of the name was designed to capture the images that participants shared of healthy living. –New name presents an opportunity to share a vision for the program. –CalFresh provides not just resources for food, but resources that can better support a healthy diet and lifestyle. –CalFresh provides participants and the public with a chance to look at food stamp purchases and the program in a new way.

31 Contact information For information on CalFresh benefits, call or visit For information in Spanish, call COMIDA.

32 Why partner with CalFresh outreach organizations? Organizations with CalFresh outreach funding –Provide assistance accessing CalFresh benefits to purchase healthy food –Partners are knowledgeable about CalFresh benefits and the application process –Can complement your nutrition education efforts and provide additional services to your clients/customers

33 Benefits to low-income Californians Improved Health and Nutrition Stretch Food Dollars during this difficult economic period. Help children stay healthy and do well in school and helps Helps adults stay healthy for work.

34 Tips for Partnering with Department of Social Services Work with CalFresh Partners Understand current workload issues of DSS Workers Make requests as a group to avoid duplicate requests

35 Tips for Partnering with Health Centers Awareness of special confidentiality Inreach vs. Outreach Requires special waivers if federal or state share funding are exchanged

36 Tips for Partnering with Community Based Organizations Memo of Understanding or Letter of Agreement defining the relationship Both Network contractors identify responsibilities of each party and delineate who claims contacts for various activities If state share is involved, follow Network guidelines regarding state share.

37 CalFresh Outreach 2011 & 2012 Growth to 58 counties-currently in 48 –Missing counties: Alpine Del Norte El Dorado Inyo Lassen Mariposa Mono Nevada Placer Tuolumne

38 Website Visit CalFresh—Better Food for Better Living.

39 On Line Resources State Network website/outreach page: oodStampOutreach.aspxhttp:// oodStampOutreach.aspx California Department of Social Services California Food Policy Advocates

40 On Line Resources Federal USDA SNAP/outreach website: Food Research and Action Center USDA Farm Bill =FARMBILL2008http:// =FARMBILL2008

41 On Line Resources Prime Contractors

42 Thank You!