STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION

Ending hunger requires the efforts of multiple stakeholders, so it is essential that we collaborate to maximize our collective impact.

Collectively we must better coordinate our efforts to raise awareness of nutrition programs and emergency food programs — what programs are available, who is eligible, and how to apply for and access them. Community-based organizations are trusted partners in their communities. To help get the message out to people, state agencies should leverage community-based organizations, and not just those involved in food assistance.

The Collaboration Working Group is working across State agencies and community-based organizations to advance strategies to improve awareness of food assistance programs and ensure that all doors lead to the programs people need.

WORK GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

• Develop client-focused marketing materials for use by public and private stakeholders statewide to help inform clients about what nutrition programs are available to them

• Provide website landing page for marketing campaign materials to provide more detailed program information and connect clients with where to go to apply

• Develop public-private dissemination campaign alongside community-based organizations for marketing materials to provide resources that help stakeholders connect clients with nutrition programs

• Identify best practices for data sharing and data matching to support cross program promotion and enrollment

• Create a one-stop, no wrong door entry point with comprehensive nutrition program eligibility and enrollment information, including referrals to the emergency food system

PROGRESS

• The Working Group is conducting a “crosswalk” of applications for benefits to identify overlapping requirements. This will help inform conversations about creating a one-stop, no wrong door entry point or inter-agency website with comprehensive nutrition program eligibility and enrollment information.

Collaboration Work Group