Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) has been awarded a $100,000, 18-month grant through the Medicaid Food Security Network Program with Share Our Strength to help strengthen food and nutrition security across Pennsylvania. PHMC is one of four state-based organizations selected for this newest cohort of the Medicaid Food Security Program, that is expanding access to nutritious food through state Medicaid programs.
Over the 18-month grant period, PHMC will advance this work through the Pennsylvania Public Health Association (PPHA), focusing on Food is Medicine initiatives and supporting efforts to increase enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
The initiative will bring together health care, public health, and community-based partners to strengthen connections between food, nutrition, and health. PPHA will work in coordination with the Food as Health Care Coalition, co-chaired by Allegheny Health Network and The Food Trust, with support from Hope and Action Consulting.
Over the 18-month grant period, the partnership will:
• Support the work of the Food as Health Care Coalition
• Develop educational and advocacy materials for policymakers and stakeholders
• Organize a Food is Medicine Advocacy Day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol
• Develop and deliver training for Community Health Workers to support SNAP and WIC enrollment, connect individuals to food and nutrition resources, and integrate Food is Medicine concepts into care coordination as opportunities become available
The partnership will also connect Pennsylvania to national expertise and peer states to share strategies and lessons learned as Food is Medicine initiatives continue to evolve. These learning opportunities will help strengthen Pennsylvania’s advocacy strategy as the Medicaid and Food is Medicine landscape evolves, while building relationships that can inform future policy and funding opportunities.
Key partners also include Pennsylvania Community Health Worker Collaborative and Thriving PA, including Allies for Children and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
PHMC is proud to support this collaborative effort, implemented through PPHA, to advance a more connected approach to food, health, and well-being across Pennsylvania.
