calfresh outreach fact sheet - Department of Public Social Services

CALFRESH OUTREACH
FACT SHEET
The CalFresh Program (CFP) in Los Angeles County is an investment in
Los Angeles County’s future. It offers nutrition benefits to participating families
and individuals, supports work, and provides economic benefits to communities.
However, too many low-income families and individuals who are eligible for the
program do not participate, and thus, go without nutrition assistance that could
stretch their food dollars at the grocery store. Furthermore, their communities
miss out on the benefits provided by new CalFresh (CF) dollars flowing into the
local economy.
In June 2004, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the
Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to develop a collaborative
campaign to increase CF utilization in Los Angeles County. In response to that
direction, DPSS implemented many CFP outreach strategies which have had
positive results in the CF participation rate in Los Angeles County. DPSS has
worked with and through partners on all levels – federal, State and especially
the local level, to conduct CF outreach.
The outreach strategies helped achieve the 2011 National Association of
Counties Award for the Dolores Huerta Public Service Announcement and the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
2011 Silver Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Hunger Champion Award
for outreach.
In June 2007, there were 624,827 individuals on the CFP in Los Angeles County,
compared to 1,016,668 in June 2011. This represents a 63% increase. This
increase is attributed to the following elements:
I. Innovative Use of Technology
• Online CF Applications - In February 2011, implemented “Your
Benefits Now” an alternative web-based means for the general
public to apply for benefits online.
• Medi-Cal Solicitation Project - The informational notice will inform
Medi-Cal recipients of CF and direct them to the nearest District
Office or Community-Based Organization/Faith-Based Organization
(CBO/FBO) and will provide him/her with the Health and Nutrition
Hot Line telephone number.
• Telephone Interviews - In October 2010, the telephone interview
option was made available at initial application and recertification
for all CF households.

II.
Streamlined Procedures
• Health and Nutrition Mobile Unit - In September 2010, launched the
Mobile Unit outreach by delivering CF and Medi-Cal services to
targeted non-traditional locations.
• Outreach Workers – Twenty-nine Eligibility Workers(EW) accept and
process CF applications at over 88 non-traditional sites, such as
health clinics, hospitals, Women, Infants, and Children sites, food
pantries, farmer’s markets, churches and schools.
• Restaurant Meals Program - Assist homeless, elderly and disabled CF
participants in purchasing prepared meals at 1,200 restaurants
authorized by the USDA.
• In-Home Supportive Services(IHSS)/CF Flyer - In June 2010, created
a CFP brochure/flyer that will be distributed to IHSS consumers who
do not receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary
Payment benefits.
III.
Working with Faith-Based Organizations and Other Agencies.
• Mexican Consulate - Partnership with the Mexican Consulate to
conduct CF outreach at their monthly “Consulado Sobre Ruedas”
(Consulate on Wheels project) events.
• One E-App Project - Partnership with City of Los Angeles and
Los Angeles Unified School District allows the public to apply for
benefits via a kiosk-generated application.
• Senior Centers Outreach - Outstationed EWs perform outreach and
accept applications at 11 Department of Community and Senior
Services emergency food distribution sites and Senior Centers.
• Probation Department Inmate Release - CF outreach and
application processing from recently released inmates at two
orientation facilities.
• Foster Care Services - Partnership with the Department of Children
and Family Services, to provide CFP outreach to exiting Foster Care
Youth.
• Application Assistance Projects - Partnerships with agencies who
provide application assistance to potentially eligible CF households:
-19 CBOs/FBOs
-Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
-Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Project
-Lutheran Services of Van Nuys
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• CalFresh Education Projects - Partnership with agencies to educate
CF participants on the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at
Farmer’s Markets, CF Program and healthy eating:
-The Ecology Center and Roots of Change
-Department of Public Health
-Northgate Market
-Department of Community and Senior Services
-Department of Aging, Wise and Healthy Aging
• FreshWorks Fund Project - Partnership with the California Endowment
to leverage their FreshWorks Fund to conduct CF outreach events in a
new/expanded market.
• Fred Jordan Mission - Conducted CF and Medi-Cal outreach at the
Annual Skid Row Christmas Event.
• Herald Crusade Community Center - Conducted CF and Medi-Cal
outreach at the event.
IV.
Promote Public Awareness
• Dolores Huerta PSA - PSA to promote the CF Program.
• Extended Outreach to the Community - DPSS employees continue
to voluntarily conduct CF outreach presentations at houses of
worship and schools during their own time on the weekends.
• Immigration Services - Partner with the Bureau of United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services, to launch a campaign against
the myths about public charge.
• Southern California Edison Company - Partnership to inform
consumers about CFP and the Restaurant Meals Program.
• Media/Radio events - Participated in various events providing CF
information:
-Univision
-Telemundo KWHY-TV Channel 22
-KSCI Channel 18 "Kababayan LA”
-The County Channel and My County
-USDA-FNS CF radio campaigns
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles radio campaign
-Chinese Media Campaign
-KJLH radio station/ 6th Annual Taste of Soul event
-Blue Line Media, an advertisement with MTA
• CF Awareness Month Campaign - Preparing the 2012 Los Angeles
County campaign to include outreach and media events.
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