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Starting January 1, 2025, Fidelis Care will provide outpatient behavioral health benefits to NJ FamilyCare members. Learn more about the behavioral health benefit changes (PDF).

Nutritional Support Services

Overview of Services

These services aim to provide you with personalized dietary guidance, smooth transitions into community living, and short-term help during food emergencies.

Services Include:

  • Nutrition Counseling and Education: Provides access to tailored advice to improve eating habits and overall nutrition. Experts will evaluate your current diet, suggest healthier food choices, and help you adopt strategies for lasting nutritional well-being. Additionally, you will be guided on accessing programs like SNAP and WIC for ongoing support.
  • Transitional Pantry Stocking: For those that are moving from an institutional setting to a community home, this service offers a limited supply of essential pantry and household items to support a successful transition when you have limited family or community support.
  • Short-Term Grocery Provision: In times of urgent need—such as during sudden health challenges—this service provides grocery delivery for up to 30 days, ensuring you have access to nutritious food when you need it most.
     

Member Eligibility Criteria

You must be enrolled in the NJ FamilyCare MLTSS program and meet individual eligibility requirements for the requested service please see below:

Nutrition Counseling and Education

  • Persons eligible for Nutrition Counseling and Education must be currently enrolled MLTSS members who meet the clinical and financial criteria for MLTSS and are: 
    • Experiencing a significant or emergent disruption in the ability to obtain an adequate level of nutrition due to an acute behavioral or physical health episode or due to clinical factors that would put them at risk of an unnecessary emergency department visit, hospital admission, or institutional placement.

Transitional Pantry Stocking

  • Persons eligible for Transitional Pantry Stocking must be currently enrolled MLTSS members who meet the clinical and financial criteria for MLTSS and all the following social risk factors:
    • Meet the USDA definition of either low or very low food security;
    • Are transitioning to a community residence from an institutional setting, including
      • Certified nursing homes;
      • Mental health facility;
      • Acute care hospitals with an extended stay (30+ days);
      • Carceral settings (i.e., state prison, county correctional facility, youth correctional facility); and
    • Indicate a lack of community or family support and challenges accessing and obtaining needed food during transition to a community residence.

Short-Term Grocery Provision

  • Persons eligible for Short Term Grocery Provision must be currently enrolled MLTSS members who meet the clinical and financial criteria for MLTSS and:
  • Meet the USDA definition of either low or very low food security; and
  • Are experiencing a significant or emergent disruption in the ability to obtain an adequate level of nutrition due to an acute behavioral or physical health episode or due to clinical factors that would put them at risk of an unnecessary emergency department visit, hospital admission, or institutional placement.

Accessing Services

For questions or to learn more about the screening process and next steps, please contact your MLTSS care manager or contact Fidelis Care’s Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Member Services: toll free 1-866-309-8447 (TTY: 711). We are here Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.