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This work in approximately five words: Connecting families through screening and outreach

The Connecting Atlantic County Families to School Meals project is supported by OFSA's Building Expanded Access to Nutritious School Meals (BEANS) grant program. AtlantiCare is expanding awareness of school meal programs and supporting enrollment among Atlantic County families through community-based outreach, direct application assistance, and integrated eligibility screening within existing youth services.

To build awareness of school meal programs, AtlantiCare will leverage its countywide network of school partners, Teen Centers, pediatric clinics, and food pantries to connect families with nutrition education and information about free and reduced-price school meals. The project will provide hands-on application assistance at community and school events, including Back-to-School Nights and the National Night Out event, helping families navigate the enrollment process and complete applications. Outreach will also use school communication platforms, including ClassDojo and Infinite Campus, as well as public service announcements that explain eligibility requirements, the benefits of participation, and step-by-step application guidance.

The project will further strengthen access by integrating standardized food security and/or school meal eligibility screening into AtlantiCare youth services settings. Individuals identified as potentially eligible will receive timely referrals or direct enrollment assistance, creating a more consistent pathway from screening to connection with available nutrition resources.

By combining broad community outreach with direct enrollment support and screening within trusted youth-serving settings, the project will help reduce barriers to school meal participation and connect more Atlantic County families with available benefits. This project supports the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan through Strategy 3.1 Tailored Education, Outreach, and Awareness Efforts and Strategy 3.4 Screening and Referrals.