Return to Current Issue

COLUMBIA, MO-"As Food Stamp Director, Ms.Cornwell, we know you have the power to make these changes. Yes or no?" asked Grass Roots Organizing (GRO) leader Helen Nickens at the Jan. 11 hearing in Columbia, Mo.

GRO sought state reforms to the Food Stamp Program that prevented eligible people from using the full-services of the program. Often, clients lose their benefits due to misleading state policies and practices. At the hearing, GRO leaders told Jody Cornwell, assistant deputy director of the Missouri Division of Family Services about the problems that they face with the state food stamp program and nine ways to fix it.

"I have experienced many humiliating and disappointing times at the Audrain County welfare office in Mexico (Mo). I cannot count the times where workers have made me feel like a criminal or a liar. My food stamp case has been closed numerous times and reopened again. I have had five caseworkers in less than a year," Nickens told state officials.

Cornwell agreed to implement a no-wrong office policy. With this change, clients will choose which welfare office to use instead the state mandating this decision. In addition, Cornwell agreed to work with GRO on creating a sensitivity and policy training program for caseworkers.

Cornwell also agreed to meet with GRO within 90 days to negotiate on the other demands such as: re-certification periods, the Electronic Benefits Transfer system, and extended office hours.

This hearing was the follow-up to the Sep. 17 action on the American Association of Food Stamp Directors (AAFSD) in St. Louis.

At the action, more than 200 people demanded the Association work with leaders from National People's Action (NPA) to reform the food stamp program at the state level. The Association said they couldn't dictate to states how to revamp their programs, but agreed to work with NPA to create these reforms. Since the action, the food stamp directors reneged on their promise.

The Missouri hearing was the first of 10 across the country. The next hearing was on Feb. 21 in Pittsburgh, Pa.