USDA Grant Award
The Southern Institute was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture in July 2004 to fund the Carolina Nutrition Alliance. Southern Institute President and CEO Sarah Shuptrine (above right) was presented with the grant award during a press conference held in Charleston, SC.
Initiatives
Covering Kids & Families
Supporting Families
Child Care/Early Education
Southern Business Leadership Council
Carolina Nutrition Alliance
Eligibility Process Improvement Center
Featured Publications & Resources
Southern Institute Informational Brochure
Eligibility Process Improvement Center Informational Materials
2005 Annual Report
2004 Chartbook of Major Indicators
Other Publications
Carolina Nutrition Alliance (CNA)
The state budget process in South Carolina has prompted
many difficult decisions. The DSS budget has
been reduced by almost 30 percent, down from
$126 million in 2001-02 to $89 million in FY
2003-2004. As a result, the agency has lost 1,300
employees in the past 18 months. All counties
across South Carolina have seen a significant
reduction in the workforce mainly due to layoffs.
A hiring freeze, large amounts of accumulated
leave time from long-term employees and
a mandated 10-day unpaid furlough for each employee
have compounded the negative effects of this reduction
in staff.
The goal of increasing food stamp enrollment with reduced resources
can be a daunting task for anyone, but to add this to an already stressed
system, you conjure up an equation for inefficiency and error. The
Carolina Nutrition Alliance offers a solution to simultaneously address
the issues of increasing Food Stamp Program (FSP) participation while
increasing the productivity of the eligibility worker, improving the
accuracy and efficiency of the food stamp process and improving worker
morale.
Working within current food stamp policy, we will improve the work
processes of three South Carolina county DSS offices - Charleston,
Beaufort and Richland. The Carolina Nutrition Alliance will
empower Food Stamp staff at the DSS offices, to identify, test and
implement eligibility process improvement strategies. The initiative
will enhance staff capacity to solve problems, streamline work processes
and improve worker morale. Once these process improvements are implemented
to increase productivity, we will roll out a Faith Participation Campaign
(FPC) to identify and assist potentially eligible participants to
get enrolled and maintain enrollment.
Utilization of the structured network and the caring reputation of
the Charleston faith-based community will increase participation and
improve the image of the Food Stamp Program (FSP). Agape Ministries
of Charleston will coordinate five regional partners who represent
35 churches within the county. Through the churches, the initiative
will educate the community about food stamp benefits, screen applicants,
assist with preparing applications, collect verifications and provide
necessary transportation to/from DSS offices.
To accomplish these components, the Southern Institute on Children
and Families, a private non-profit organization
with a national reputation in eligibility policy
and process improvement, has formed a partnership
with the State agency administering the FSP,
the South Carolina DSS, and Agape Ministries
of Charleston, a community and faith-based organization,
created to assist families in need with accessing
support services they are eligible for and to
improve the relationship between these
entities. The initiative as proposed by this
diverse and interdependent group meets the requirements
for the $1 million State/Non-Profit Partnership
grant offered by the USDA Food and Nutrition
Service.
USDA
News Release with Announcement of Grant Award
Project Purpose (PDF, 27KB)
Guiding Principles (PDF, 18KB)
Critical Components (PDF, 18KB)
CNA Contacts (PDF, 66KB)
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