SNA of NKY Work Supports Committee

May 26th, 2015

Attendance: Zach Price-SNA VISTA, Dave Phillips- Catholic Charities, Melissa Sommer- Brighton, Margie Meehan-NKCAC, Sarah Young (phone)- Gateway

Review of Benefit Access

  • 4 agencies are participating in Benefit Access: Brighton Center, Catholic Charities, Welcome House, and Hosea House
  • 5/11 computers remain—discussed the need to identify and reach out to Partner Agencies that would be suitable to participate in Benefit Access (receive a computer to assist customers/ clients with online benefits applications)
  • Hosea House has expressed their interest in receiving another laptop
  • United Ministries needs training for Benefits Access
  • Who do we need to get engaged or reengaged?— What Partner Agencies do we need to reach out to and bring around the table?
  • Justin will reach out toMental Health America & North Key
  • David will reach out to Housing Authority of Covington
  • Melissa will reach out Women’s Crisis Center and CILO
  • Discussed the need to reach out to someone in the SNAP office

Review of Benefit Kiosks

  • Kiosks are located all across Kentucky Community and Technical college System (KCTCS)
  • Allow individuals to apply for benefits and use of the internet
  • Not as heavily used as anticipated; a lot of students are getting hung up on the Kiosks and referred to NKCAC connectors
  • Sarah is tracking all Kiosk customers ( Gateway Urban Campus)
  • Sarah will send tracking data out to the committee; Zach will disseminate the data
  • This will help us tell our “data story” –what impact are we making?
  • There will be an evaluation of Kiosks at the end of June
  • This will let us know if there will be any extra Kiosks available for other locations

Work Supports Committee Scope

  • Education(educating customers and service providers on benefit access); Sarah Young will lead efforts on Education
  • Will facilitate trainings for new partner agencies joining the committee
  • Many customers/ clients are experiencing difficulty applying for Social Security -Sarah will look at statewide trainings, specifically getting a Social Security training in NKY for service providers
  • In response to last meeting*->Some individuals on state health insurance get multiple insurance cards (i.e. Country Care, Well Care, and KY Unbridled Medicare)
  • KY Unbridled is Medicaid and the MCO card (WellCare, Country Care, etc.) is their actual insurance card
  • Advocacy( Advocate for customers/clients from a macro and micro approach on benefit access)

-David Phillips will lead Advocacy efforts

  • David is a member of the NKY Reentry Team
  • David will work on advocacy tool kit for SNA partners-
  • Will outline common misconceptions, tips, and overall knowledge on how to assist customers/clients with receiving benefits
  • EX:Many who have prior drug convictions have been denied SNAP and believe they are disqualified from receiving benefits; however, if they are going through treatment and have a letter, they are eligible. David is working this population to try to ensure they receive SNAP and applicable benefits
  • Sarah will send tips to David to include in tool kit
  • Service Delivery
  • Melissa and Zach will work on creating an Alert for education opportunities around Benefit Access- requesting what trainings (relating to benefits access) SNA partner agencies want
  • Working on distributing remaining laptops to partner agencies
  • Sarah will be scheduling a SNAP Online Portal Training soon
  • SNAP Online Portal ppt. can be downloaded here under “ Work Supports and Benefits” :
  • Health Insurance Service Delivery
  • NKCAC connector goes to Gateway classes
  • Transitions Inc. also sign up a lot of individuals
  • Recovery centers
  • If your agency having an event, contact Margie Meehan with the NKCAC at to request a connector

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 23rd, noon

Brighton Center 3rd floor Boardroom