Nicole McGrath-Barnes DDS FACD, Founder and CEO of KinderSmile Foundation, discusses why dental care for babies and young children is more critical than most parents realize—and why the system is failing them. She shares the story behind building KinderSmile, how the foundation operates, and why its model deserves to be adopted more widely. The conversation digs into the overlooked connection between oral health and whole-body health, the financial and social repercussions of untreated dental disease in kids, and the crisis of chronic absenteeism linked to tooth pain. She also covers practical tips for parents, student loan forgiveness for dentists, and her 10-year wishlist for transforming children's dental care in America.

Learn more about KinderSmile Foundation below!

KinderSmile Foundation - https://www.kindersmile.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, explains the purposes and services provided by modern Food Banks in America, as well as the current state of SNAP Benefits, child nutrition programs, and Food Insecurity / Hunger in New Jersey and across the country.

Learn more about the Community FoodBank of NJ below!

https://cfbnj.org/ - Community FoodBank of NJ

https://cfbnj.org/find-foods-services/ - Find Food Services through CFBNJ

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Lisa Pitz, Director of Hunger Free New Jersey, shares unique insights and growing concerns regarding Food Insecurity in the state and country as a whole. This episode covers everything from the inner workings of Food Pantries, to the future of SNAP Benefits.

Learn more about Hunger Free New Jersey below!

hungerfreenj.org - Hunger Free NJ

www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/recipients/stay/ - Learn More about SNAP Benefits

lsnj.org - Legal Services of New Jersey

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro

00:33 - What is Hunger Free New Jersey & Lisa’s Backstory

04:32 - Hunger Free NJ Programs, Enrollment, & Eligibility

12:36 - Food Insecurity in New Jersey Families

16:45 - “Farm to School” Programs in NJ

19:01 - What are SNAP Benefits & How are they changing?

29:54 - Who is most affected by SNAP changes? How can they find help?

32:45 - Lisa’s wishlist for the next 10 Years & Food Pantries for College Students

40:30 - How to get involved in Food Pantry donations or volunteering

43:42 - Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ