I have started my Practicum and I am working through the CAP (Community Action Partnership) Agency with Scott, Carver and Dakota Counties in Minnesota.  The Outreach program works with individuals to help them apply for the SNAP Program. The team goes to senior expos, Food Fare All events and other community events where they can get the word out about the SNAP program. There is a quick form that they fill out to see if they are even eligible and if they are not over income, the complete form is completed and given the the county. The team assists with filling out the application either in person or over the phone.

Once the forms are submitted to the county, the team makes follow up phone calls to see if they qualified and have received benefits. I have participated in all of these activities and continue to learn a lot about the SNAP program and the who is eligible to get benefits. The other programs that CAP assists with in the community are Senior Nutrition Program, WIC, Energy Assistance Program, Head Start and the Food Shelf. Along with the Outreach Program, I am continuing to learn about the other programs offered and at the expos and other community events, the team provides all of the resources that they are interested in, not just the SNAP Program.

I am thoroughly enjoying my practicum experience but I am finding that it is difficult to get my hours in in a timely manner. With working full time and having the CAP Agency have “normal business hours,” I can only do a couple hours at a time. I do know that I will not get it completed this semester which is a little frustrating but I am doing what I can at this time! I will continue to update with any other experiences that I may encounter with the program!