California Community College CalFresh Utilization Pilot Project

California has made significant strides in expanding eligibility and access to public support programs to reduce basic needs insecurity among college students. Yet there remains a gap between rates of food insecurity and the utilization of food supports like CalFresh (also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP). In fall 2020, more than three in four students experiencing basic needs insecurity did not access public benefits like CalFresh.

With support from the Michelson 20MM Foundation, The Hope Center is working with Compton College to try to close this utilization gap. Using an experimental design, Hope is testing whether texting students about CalFresh can improve program uptake and reduce basic needs insecurity. The project team will also assess whether text messages that include stigma-reducing and empowering messaging are more effective than information-only messages.