SNAP Promotion in Schools

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation's largest nutrition assistance program, aimed at helping individuals and families with low incomes afford the essential food they need.¹ SNAP provides nutrition to nearly 20 million children in the United States, significantly contributing to the fight against childhood hunger.^2,3 While the program's reach is expansive, there are still many eligible individuals and families that do not receive benefits due to misinformation and associated stigma.

Families with children attending private or public primary schools have regular direct contact with school staff. As such, schools are central community hubs where information and resources can be efficiently disseminated to families that might not otherwise be reached. By providing families with reliable information and promoting SNAP benefits, schools can improve food security, health, and overall well-being of their students.

School SNAP Engagement Opportunities

Schools act as a reliable resource for the community and families, which provides great opportunities to reduce misinformation and stigma through SNAP promotion. Outlined below are strategies schools have successfully used to promote SNAP among their families. These strategies can be applied on an individual, district, or regional level and can be customized to families' needs.

Media Messaging

School communication channels, including websites, social media, and announcement systems, are incredibly useful tools to expand the reach of SNAP-related information.⁴ Integrating SNAP-related websites and online application assistance into school digital resources helps ensure that families can easily access the help they need. Continually updating the content to reflect current SNAP benefits and the application guidelines, such as the annual adjustment of income eligibility based on the Federal Poverty Level (effective each October 1 through September 30), empowers families with the latest information and support. This method is discreet and convenient, addressing common concerns associated with SNAP enrollment.

Distributing Print Material

The strategic distribution of flyers, brochures, and informational packets about SNAP through the school system ensures that vital information reaches families efficiently.⁵ This includes SNAP information in school newsletters, emails, and other communications that can reinforce promotional efforts and ensure consistent messaging. Leveraging the trust already established within school communities makes this strategy particularly effective for reaching families who may benefit from SNAP.

Educational Workshops and Seminars

Hosting informational sessions during school events, such as back-to-school nights, provides a direct channel to convey SNAP information to parents and guardians.⁶ Integrating SNAP education into adult education or ESL classes offered by schools can extend the reach and ensure that information is accessible to non-English speaking families.⁷ Interactive workshops can also offer an opportunity for families to ask questions and receive immediate assistance, making the SNAP application process more approachable.

Collaborative Approach

Schools often partner with outside agencies to connect families with additional resources, such as with health fairs and back-to-school nights. Engaging local communities in the development and implementation of outreach programs ensures that strategies are culturally sensitive and tailored to meet specific local needs.^6,7,8 Leveraging SNAP navigators' support into this strategy can help simplify the process for schools and families. This approach, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and localized personnel, fosters trust and improves program accessibility.

Integration with School Meal Programs

Collaborating with school food authorities within the district to provide SNAP information alongside free and reduced-price meal applications can help streamline processes for families. Families enrolled in SNAP are directly certified for free school meals, removing the burden of additional paperwork. This integration may simplify paperwork for families and increase their awareness of the support available to them, ensuring no eligible family misses out on vital nutrition assistance.

Direct Client Assistance

Collaborating with community partners to provide on-site assistance during school events can greatly enhance the support available to families applying for SNAP. This approach helps overcome several barriers to application and ensures that benefits are accessible to everyone, including individuals who may face challenges related to language or mobility.^5,9 Engaging local agencies that specialize in this assistance not only facilitates access to SNAP but also strengthens community ties and supports diverse populations.

Culturally Sensitive Outreach

Tailoring promotion efforts to address the unique needs and concerns of specific groups involves strategies like multilingual and culturally sensitive materials, partnerships with consulates, and community programs that directly address these groups' specific barriers and needs.⁷ Many schools are aware of the language and cultural make-up of their students and families through existing community engagement. By understanding their audience, schools can tailor messages to connect families with reliable information about SNAP.

How Schools can Help Overcome Potential Barriers

When schools actively participate in SNAP outreach, they play a pivotal role in overcoming barriers often associated with benefit programs. Schools can help increase program awareness, tackle confidentiality concerns, and address language and cultural needs.

Enhancing Access to SNAP Benefits

Ensuring that SNAP-related resources are accessible to all families is essential for effective outreach.¹⁰ Recognizing that some individuals may have limited access to technology or face other accessibility challenges, diverse forms of assistance can be implemented. This includes over-the-phone support and on-site help at school events, which significantly broadens the ways families can engage with SNAP. With an inclusive approach, schools can ensure that every family, regardless of their unique circumstances, can access the benefits they need in a stigma-free environment.

Amplifying Awareness and Addressing Misinformation

Increasing awareness about SNAP and its eligibility requirements is fundamental to empowering more families to take advantage of the program. Misinformation, often propagated through informal channels, can create confusion and deter eligible families from applying.¹⁰ By launching information campaigns that utilize school communication channels — such as newsletters, parent meetings, and digital platforms — schools can serve as trusted conduits for accurate information about SNAP. To support outreach, schools can partner with local advocates to ensure accurate information about eligibility is relayed. Emphasizing positive messaging and the respectful treatment of all applicants helps to dismantle the stigma associated with benefit programs.

Addressing Confidentiality Concerns

Emphasizing the benefits and confidentiality of the SNAP program encourages wider participation. As trusted providers, schools can play a crucial role by pointing individuals to reliable avenues for assistance and information about SNAP (e.g. SNAP navigators), thereby reassuring families that their privacy is protected. This approach not only respects the dignity of every family but also helps to mitigate the hesitation some may feel about applying for benefits due to privacy concerns.

Language and Literacy Support

To foster inclusion, it is important that SNAP application support is available in multiple languages and is presented in ways that accommodate different literacy levels. Many schools actively address language and literacy barriers throughout typical communications. Recognizing that English and Spanish may not be the primary languages for all families and identifying all language needs are imperative to reach all families. Additionally, literacy levels can vary significantly and there are tools available to ensure communication is accessible to all (e.g. CDC Plain Language Materials & Resources).⁸ As noted, it is important to understand your audience and regularly assess as needs change over time.

The Future of SNAP Promotion at Schools

The effort towards enhancing SNAP outreach and participation is ongoing and dynamic, and requires continuous adaptation, learning, and collaboration among all stakeholders involved. By embracing diverse communication channels, fostering community partnerships, and prioritizing cultural relevance, significant strides can be made in bridging the awareness gap and addressing concerns. Making a concerted effort to shift societal narratives towards a more compassionate and supportive view of food assistance programs is necessary to reduce barriers experienced by families.

Schools serve as trusted community resources that reach families where they are, offering convenient and accessible pathways to SNAP information and assistance. By offering diverse communication strategies, schools can foster an environment where families receive reliable SNAP information in a safe and confidential setting. Schools can learn more about SNAP and other tools using the resources below.

Resources

1. NJ SNAP: The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) offers food assistance to families with limited incomes, enabling them to buy groceries with a benefits card accepted at numerous retail stores and markets. To understand more about the program and how it supports the health and nutrition of families in New Jersey, visit the NJ SNAP website.
2. Applying for SNAP Benefits: The SNAP Navigator Program is designed to simplify the SNAP application process by providing free and confidential guidance. Navigators explain how the program works, detail eligibility criteria, assist with necessary documents, and walk applicants through each step of the application process. They also provide ongoing support to maintain benefits. School staff can direct families needing assistance to the SNAP Navigator Program through their local county agencies, which can be found on the NJ SNAP help page.
   
3. MyNJHelps Portal: For a streamlined application process, families can visit MyNJHelps to create an account, check their eligibility, and apply for NJ SNAP online. This portal makes applying simpler and enhances accessibility for busy families.
   
4. CDC Plain Language Materials and Resources: Visit the CDC website to learn more, see examples, and review the checklist for plain language materials.

References

1. CBPP. (2022). Policy basics: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
2. King, M. D., Giefer, K. G. (2022, April 12). Nearly a third of children who receive snap participate in two or more additional programs. United States Census Bureau.
3. Carlson, S., Rosenbaum, D., Keith-Jennings, B., Nchako, C. (2016, September 29). Snap Works for America's Children. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
4. Boosting NJ SNAP: Eliminating Barriers to Participation (2021). Hunger Free New Jersey.
5. Gorman, K. S., Smith, A. M., Cimini, M. E., Halloran, K. M., Lubiner, A. G. (2013). Reaching the Hard to Reach: Lessons Learned from a Statewide Outreach Initiative. Journal of Community Practice, 21(1-2), 105-123. doi: 10.1080/10705422.2013.788369
6. Moore, T., Bakken, L. L., Wallace, B. (2019). The Importance of Systems Thinking, Context, and Inclusion When Studying the Feasibility of Expanding the FoodShare (SNAP) Outreach Program to Rural Communities of Northern Wisconsin. Evaluation and Program Planning, 74, 10-17. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.02.003
7. Kaushal, N., Waldfogel, J., Wight, V. R. (2013). Food Insecurity and SNAP Participation in Mexican Immigrant Families: The Impact of the Outreach Initiative. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, 14(1), 203-240. doi: 10.1515/bejeap-2013-0083
8. Maneely, J., Neuberger, Z. (2021). Using Data Matching and Targeted Outreach to Enroll Families with Young Children in WIC. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
9. Cohen, N. (2019). SNAP at the Community Scale: How Neighborhood Characteristics Affect Participation and Food Access. Am J Public Health, 109(12), 1646-1651. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305363
10. Melnick, E. M., Ganderats-Fuentes, M., Ohri-Vachaspati, P. (2022). Federal Food Assistance Program Participation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Participant Perspectives and Reasons for Discontinuing. Nutrients, 14(21), 4524. doi: 10.3390/nu14214524

September 2024