Food Stamp Outreach Coalition Minutes
Expanding Access to Food Stamp Benefits to Seniors
Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2007
I. Call to order
Karen J. Walker, Director Program Accountability Division provided
the welcome, opening remarks and introductions. This special session of
the Coalition was specifically aimed at the issues around the elderly
participation in the Food Stamp Program (FSP).
II. Opening Remarks
We were pleased to have the Food and Nutrition Service’s
Administrator Roberto Salazar and Associate Administrator George Braley
drop in to provide remarks. Mr. Salazar brought a word of thanks from
Nancy Johner, Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Service.
Both Mr. Salazar and Mr. Braley thanked the Coalition for their work to
date. Mr. Salazar made a few comments about the current “food stamp
challenge”. He encouraged everyone to continue to dispel program myths
but at the same time, to assure that potential participants are not
dissuaded from applying.
FNS Food Stamp Deputy Administrator Clarence Carter shared his
gratitude for the overwhelming attendance. Mr. Carter thanked everyone
for their commitment to the Coalition and noted that increasing elderly
food stamp participation is a priority for FNS. He emphasized how great
the challenge is that lies before us in reaching the senior population.
Only 2 million food stamp participants are 60 or older. He thanked the
Administration on Aging (AOA) and the American Public Human Services
Association (APHSA) for starting this discussion, encouraged continued
collaboration with all at the table, and charged us all to do better.
Jessica Shahin, Associate Deputy Administrator of the FSP, continued
to expand upon the need to reach the elderly. She reported that less
than 1/3 of eligible seniors participate and challenged the group to
develop innovative ideas to “move the needle” that gauges FSP
participation. Ms. Shahin ended by saying we have old and new partners
at the table so the time is now to bring productive ideas and new
approaches to the forefront.
III. Agenda Highlights
APHSA & AOA March 22nd Meeting; Larry Goolsby (APHSA) and Frank Burns
(AOA) convened a meeting with FNS to explore potential collaboration to
educate eligible seniors about the nutrition benefits of the FSP in
order to increase their participation. During the March 22nd meeting,
one stop centers were noted as a viable setting for outreach to seniors.
The Express Stamps project operated by Second Harvest was also noted as
a possible model to consider using at the one-stop-centers. Ms. Shahin
suggested also looking at the MiCAFE model in Michigan.
Mr. Burns acknowledge that having access to nutrition support (food
stamps and nutrition education) are significant components to keeping
the elderly in the community and out of long term care. He sees the role
of service providers, AOA and AAA, as coordinating and better managing
nutrition to the elderly. He encouraged the integration of organizations
to work towards increasing the health and access to health related
programs to seniors.
Online Applications: Bill Ayres (World Hunger Year) and Colleen
Pawling (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) have been looking into
seniors and their use of online applications. One major issue with
seniors is their need for one-on-one assistance when applying for food
stamp benefits. Mr. Ayres provided two suggestions to the Coalition; 1)
bring together those states that have online applications to obtain
lessons learned; 2) create a FSOC subcommittee to look more in depth at
seniors and online applications.
Ms. Pawling personally tried all of the applications that are
available online. Her review found that some of the issues covered on
paper applications are lost on the online application; one of which is
expedited benefits. She agrees with Mr. Ayres that seniors need to have
application assistance. Most are unable to manage the online
applications by themselves. Other findings include that most of the
applications are in English only; Florida’s application is in three
languages. Ms. Pawling believes that many States have answers to
questions but are not sharing that information with other States.
Community-based partners with resources (staff, equipment) and
applications that are more intuitive are needed for the elderly to
receive the full benefit of online applications.
IV. Round Table Discussion
a) How to make the food stamp application process easier for seniors?
• Provide assistance with a personal approach; utilize trusted
partners
• Make the process a package of support (include health and
nutrition information)
• Simplify the application
• Review verification requirements
• Increase the minimum benefit
• Partner with commodities
• Coordinate with caregivers
• Remember that the elderly are not a homogeneous group
• Provide multi program referrals; utilize all social service
programs
b) What are the best tools for reaching seniors?
• Go where the seniors are; senior centers, doctors waiting room,
health
professionals
• Have doctors refer to AOA centers
• Meals on Wheels, congregate meals; newsletters
• Multi program applications IF there is personal assistance
• Integrated place of support – 1 place not necessarily one form
c) How to get the most out of partnerships?
• Choose partners with similar goals
• All partners need to bring “something” to the table
• Utilize the FRAC Guide to Food Stamp Collaborations
• Make partnerships a win-win
• Connect state plans into special projects for seniors
• Develop planning models processes that applies to all states (FNS
to facilitate
State involvement)
• Include senior farmers market
• Look at nutrition in a holistic way
• Be creative, flexible and push the envelope
V. Outcomes
Two subcommittees were formed: one looking at online application
committee and the other looking into the overall issues of seniors and
the Food Stamp Program.
VI. Next Steps
• Hold the next Coalition meeting before the end of 2007.
• Updates from new subcommittees on progress
Last modified:
02/12/2008
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