As the final project of her tenure at the Clinton School, second-year student and Arkansas native Lindsey Barnett (left) is working with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct senior citizen outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program).
Despite the fact that more Americans than ever are currently receiving SNAP, outreach remains a priority for DHS as the senior population has seen nationwide participation rates decline for the past three fiscal years.
From October 2009 until March 2010, Barnett is conducting outreach in counties throughout the state. She is collaborating with local organizations to develop SNAP awareness that will serve communities long after her graduation in May.
Barnett is currently seeking service providers interested in workshops that will train their staff on helping elderly clients apply for SNAP. These providers include senior centers, community groups and housing assistance programs.
She is also working on the design and distribution of a brochure to dispels myths associated with the program. Barnett expects the brochure to be in local newspapers in the coming weeks.
“While we are proud that our state consistently receives high marks for SNAP participation, we know that there are many Arkansans not applying for the benefits they are entitled to,” said Joni Jones, director of DHS’s Division of County Operations. “The Department of Human Services is working to engage this untapped population.
“For Lindsey’s project, we decided to focus on senior outreach because oftentimes when seniors meet SNAP eligibility standards, they’re likely eligible for other support programs. These seniors can get help with their energy bills and could qualify for assistance in paying their Medicare premiums or housing costs,” Jones said.
Before coming to the Clinton School, Barnett was a Family Support Specialist for DHS, working in Benton County in 2007. For her final project, she wanted to return to the agency and serve the program that cemented her professional call to public service.
“Being a caseworker was, without a doubt, the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Barnett said. “Seeing the impact that government assistance programs could have on individual families made me want to attend the Clinton School. And now, I can take the skills I’ve gained from my experience here and help impact the programs themselves.
“The partnership between the Clinton School and DHS is enabling me to work where people, policies and program services intersect. It is definitely an exciting time for this type of project,” Barnett said.
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