EFNEP & SNAP-Ed Participants in SNAP and WIC? Uh….NO!

Part I: Background info on SNAP, WIC and Head Start

How do we work with agencies in EFNEP and SNAP-Ed? Referrals Recruitment Classes Meeting Space Marketing

Referring participants to agencies is part of your job!

You are evaluated on how well you work with agencies

Agency referrals are a priority

How are referrals tracked? Agency meetings Entry/Exit forms

Important for you to know Services/agencies in your county Eligibility requirements of these services/agencies How to enroll Identify a contact person at the agency

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Entitlement program Supplemental – does not provide all food needed Benefits to buy food

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility requirements ◦Resources ◦Income ◦Employment requirements ◦Immigrant eligibility

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility requirements ◦Income Household sizeGross Monthly income (130% of poverty) Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) 1$1,245$958 2$1,681$1,293 3$2,116$1,628 4$2,552$1,963 5$2,987$2,298 6$3,423$2,633 7$3,858$2,968 8$4,294$3,303 Each additional household member +$436+$335

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility requirements ◦Employment requirements  Able-bodied adults (ages 16-60) must register for work, accept employment and participate in an employment training program to receive benefits

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility requirements ◦Immigrants, seniors and disabled  Legal immigrants are eligible for SNAP benefits if they fit specific requirements  Seniors (over 60) and the disabled have different requirements for receiving SNAP benefits

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Household sizeMaximum monthly allotment 1$200 2$367 3$526 4$668 5$793 6$952 7$1,052 8$1,202 Each additional household member +$150

The Colorado Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK) PEAK ◦The online tool that people use to apply for SNAP, TANF, and medical expense assistance (i.e. Medicaid) ◦Allows people to see if they might be eligible for these programs without actually applying. ◦Allows existing assistance recipients to check on their benefits.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) WIC provides: ◦nutritious food ◦nutrition education ◦breastfeeding support ◦referrals to health and social services

WIC WIC Serves: ◦Pregnant women ◦Postpartum women ◦Breastfeeding women ◦Infants ◦Children up to age 5

WIC Eligibility Requirements ◦185% of poverty and below AND ◦Nutritional risk

WIC Eligibility requirements ◦Income Household sizeGross Monthly income (185% of poverty) Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) 1$1,772$958 2$2,392$1,293 3$3,012$1,628 4$3,630$1,963 5$4,251$2,298 6$4,871$2,633 7$5,491$2,968 8$6,111$3,303 Each additional household member +$335

WIC Enrollment ◦Call the local WIC office

Head Start Head Start is a federal program that helps low-income preschool aged children get ready to go to kindergarten The program helps prepare preschool aged children mentally, emotionally and socially for kindergarten Head Start focuses on ◦Language and literacy ◦General knowledge ◦Health ◦Social and emotional skills

Early Head Start Early Head Start is a federally funded program for low-income families with infants and toddlers, and pregnant women Early Head Start promotes: ◦healthy prenatal outcomes ◦development of infants and toddlers ◦Healthy family functioning

Head Start Head Start puts emphasis on families ◦Build parent-child relationships ◦Encourages learning of both parent and children ◦Connects families to the community ◦Encourages parents to be leaders and advocates for their children

Head Start Eligibility Requirements ◦Head Start  Family income is within federal poverty guidelines  Child must meet district age requirements (varies by school district) – typically 3 to 4 years old  Child must live within school district boundaries

Early Head Start Eligibility Requirements ◦Early Head Start  Family income is within federal poverty guidelines  Child is between newborn and 2 ½ yrs old  Pregnant women  Child must live within school district boundaries

Part II: Making Agency Referrals

Referrals to WIC and SNAP Protocol Step 1: After the first lesson in a series of classes, review participant entry forms. ◦Reported income ◦Household members listed ◦Federal programs they are participating in

Referrals to WIC and SNAP Protocol Step 2: Using the Program Eligibility and Application Information for WIC and SNAP and the current Poverty Guidelines

Referrals to WIC and SNAP Protocol Step 3: Make a list of participants and the programs they qualify for but aren’t participating in on the Agency Referral Table.

Referrals to WIC and SNAP Protocol Step 4: When calling participants to remind them of the time and date of lesson 2, talk to the participants on the Agency Referral Table about the programs they qualify for.

Referrals to WIC and SNAP Protocol Step 5: At lesson 2, bring WIC and SNAP brochures to distribute.

Discussing WIC and SNAP in Lesson 2 – Plan, Shop, $ave

Changes to the Plan, Shop, $ave lesson Before the lesson “WIC and SNAP brochures with local contact information” End of the lesson “Before you leave, I would like to discuss a couple of food assistance programs with you. Using the Agency Referrals laminated sheet from the activity bin, discuss the WIC and SNAP programs to participants.”

Questions?