Megan Carolan
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megancarolan.bsky.social
Megan Carolan
@megancarolan.bsky.social
460 followers 350 following 940 posts
I work on early childhood policy, I complain about drivers, I share my kids' wit and whimsy, and in between I run a little. Living in Jersey City. Opinions are my own.
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megancarolan.bsky.social
I really love how the artist does thematic pieces! I'm not a horror movie fan but if you're shopping for someone who is, what a cool gift idea!
Screenshot of an Etsy page. A digital image of the cover for a Nightmare on Elm Street, staged with Greenery and a lovely glass beaded necklace and shades of red and green Laying across it. Description of item and price are below the image
November 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Several times this week, my cousin's poetry has taken my breath away

www.kinsmanquarterly.org/product-page...
Photo of a line of text reading: "love is not born of sharp lines but infinite curves"
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
I will be thinking of the beautiful dedication in my cousins new book for a while.
"For my grandmother's, mother's, aunts, sisters and cousins, by Blood and chosen. May you know your strength and when you don't may you be surrounded by those who do"
November 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Trump admin warns states may have errors as they process the reduced benefits this month.

Worth noting under reconciliation: Beginning FY29, states pay into #SNAP, based on FY26 (that's now) error rate.

Concerned about the domino effect we may see.

www.huffpost.com/entry/snap-g...
Screenshot from HuffPo article: "The agency said it wasn’t clear how many states “will complete the changes in an automated manner with minimal disruption versus manual overrides or computations that could lead to payment errors and significant delays.”"
November 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
We ask folks requesting funds to do a quick survey with current benefits level, and cash app info.

For WIC, I did the math on what the standard "basket" costs in our area so we can do the calculations for them.

Whatever we raise, we'll distribute proportionately based on benefits amount lost.
New Jersey has announced that SNAP benefits will not be issued after October 31; WIC benefits will run out on Nov. 10th. As a local group, our members support each other through the ups and downs in parenting. We are going to launch a fundraiser from group members to help other members who need it right now. If you have SNAP or WIC benefits that are about to run out, please fill this form. When the fundraiser is done in mid-November, we will distribute the funds proportionately across all those who completed the form. We likely cannot raise the full amount you would have usually received - but hopefully we can cover some of the cost for you. Only group admins will see who completes this form and we will not share that with anyone! Do NOT share this form with anyone outside of the [redacted], please! We know there is so much need right now and we wish we could help everyone, but we need to keep this internal only to the group. If you receive SNAP, what is your monthly benefit amount? (Approximate is okay!) If you have WIC, which package(s) do you currently have? Adult - Pregnant or postpartum Children - ages 12 months or older Infant - fully formula fed Infant- partially breastfed Infant - fully breastfed If you have more than one child or infant on your WIC package, let us know how many for each above. What cash transfer app do you have or prefer, and what's your username? This is how we'll transfer funds after the fundraiser.
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Sharing in case our process is helpful to adapt for your group.

Clear rules determined in advance & clear communication are key (why, yes, we do have some folks with non-profit experience working on this project!)
Screenshot of FB post: "Hi all - as you might have seen, New Jersey has announced that SNAP benefits will not be issued after October 31; WIC benefits will run out on Nov. 10th. As a local group, our members support each other through the ups and downs in parenting. As admins for the [redacted], we are launching a fundraiser from group members to help other group members who need it right now. (Admins are [redacted]. If you have SNAP or WIC benefits that are about to run out, please click the link below to fill out the form. Your name and personal information will not be shared with anyone outside of this admin team. (EDIT TO ADD: Also if you have been federally furloughed.) If you wish to donate to support - thank you! - ANY amount helps and makes a difference! You can give using Zelle or Venmo using the info below to [redacted], or you can DM any of us personally and we can arrange a pickup of cash. We’ll be collecting the cash and distributing it to each family based on their current benefits/need. A few important things: –Deadline: Our goal is to have all recipients and donations in by Nov. 5, which will give us time to distribute to Momfia families before the Nov. 10 deadline. –If SNAP/WIC resumes prior to the deadline, we will still distribute whatever we raise to those who have signed up. –We will be distributing the money raised in cash or sending it directly to them via their preferred cash transfer app, so that families can spend at the stores that work best for them -If for some reason you donate and no one signs up, we will return your donation. And most importantly THANK YOU all for being such an important part of this incredible community. When we founded it, we never imagined it would grow into what it has become, but we are so grateful to stand together.
October 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
As SNAP benefits are about to fall off, I've been getting to work with the food access community more.

I mix up #foodbanks & #foodpantries a lot and trying to fix my language - so here's a handy guide from Greater Boston Food Bank.
Infographic: Food Bank vs. Food Pantry. What's the difference? Food bank: Larger, usually serving a broad region. Acquires food through industry partners and financial donations. Sorts, stores, and packs food. Distributes food to agencies, like food pantries. Food Pantry: Smaller, usually serving a specific community. Acquires food from food banks and donations. Provides food to the public and feels more like a grocery store. Distributes food directly to those in need.
October 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
When I was maybe 15, I wrote a short story called Falling Sky, using the weather and seasons to track a relationship.

While much of Young Megan's teen writing makes me cringe, damn did I nail the sublime feeling of leaves raining down on you in autumn.
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
My 8yo wanted to change up Monopoly a bit so the kids voted on an area to block out for this game and it feels a little on the nose that they've removed the middle-income neighborhoods.
A monopoly board with two sheets of papers blocking the light blue, orange, magnetic, and red properties.
October 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
If you call in 🧊 sighting- recommended info is SALUTE format.

Size/strength
Actions/activity
Location & direction
Uniform/clothes
Time & date of observation
Equipment & weapons

Here's a digital form you can put that info into then copy/paste for easy sharing.

salute.kyr.digital/en/?fbclid=P...
Graphic explaining SALUTE approach with examples
October 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Here's the statewide map of which 🧊 Rapid Response number to use where in New jersey & what to do when you call.
Nj map color codes with who to call or text for ICE sightings where. Hudson: 201-616-2816 Mercer: 640-466-2386 Atlantic and Cape May: 609-200-1030 There are no numbers for Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland. All other counties call 888-347-3766 or DM Cosecha New Jersey on FB/IG When you reach out- "Tell them: Exact location What time you saw them Description of what you saw Capture photos/videos if it is safe to"
October 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
I've added a whistle to my key chain - I see these are everywhere in Chicago now. I take this with me when I run too, plus it gets this surprisingly loud whistle away from my kids. Multiple benefits.
A gold key with a blue plastic whistle on the keychain.
October 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Out to dinner with the kids for our anniversary.

Out of nowhere, 8yo says "do these decorations have the nazi logo in them?"

1. We don't call it a logo
2. How do you know about that
3. Uhh
A criss cross wrought iron design on a divider. Geometric pattern Zoomed in. There is a design element that definitely looks like a swastika surrounded by other elements.
October 25, 2025 at 1:49 AM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Getting this notice that my identify theft protection from when hackers stole my info and *fingerprints* from the federal government is expiring, during the shutdown, is honestly hilarious
Email screenshot reads: "Notice About Your OPM Identity Protection Dear Megan, This is to notify you that the credit monitoring and identity theft insurance coverage you were provided by the Federal government has a 10-year term, which ends on November 23, 2025. This service was provided following the 2015 OPM cybersecurity incidents and has helped safeguard your identity. OPM provided identity and credit monitoring through MyIDCare, powered by IDX, in accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 for a period of 10 years from 2015 - 2025. If you are interested in continuing your coverage with IDX, please see options at https://opm.myidcare.com/login.
October 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
So lookup ICE and CBP facilities in your region. Fascinating note in this Rolling Stone piece - if kids are involved esp if citizen children, CBP facilities may be more likely.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Screenshot from Rolling Stone article: "Dexter zeroed in on CPB lockups, because few ICE centers can hold children, and they’re not supposed to hold U.S. citizens. By policy, CPB facilities are only supposed to hold detainees for 12 hours. “But it’s not illegal to do longer than that,” Dexter says. “And because Jackie was refusing to separate from her children, they couldn’t send her to an ICE facility. So they were caught in this sort of no-man’s-land, literally, near the border.”"
October 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
DONE with my 24 hr test-o-rama! Excited to rehydrate and keep my bodily fluids to myself. Appreciative of all the lab staff who had never even seen these tests before and figured it out - and for this whimsical bandaid.
Photo of a pale white forearm. The cook of the arm has two bandages on it after a blood draw. One is the standard medical beige bandage, the other is shaped like a Crayola crayon in a light pink color named Cotton Candy
September 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
"Miscellaneous lab tests" is actually my favorite lab order I've ever seen, and I've had a lotta labwork done!
Screenshot from MyChart of lab order. "Miscellaneous lab test. 1 of 5. Instructions: Contact your organization for instructions on how to complete this test or procedure.
September 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Updates! "The cabins (boxes on left and right) are where the emergency supplies are. The pink is where the energy gets stored. Also, you can launch multiple and have some rockets bring some solar panels back to earth. There they can transfer to the power grid."
Updated version of the previous graphic with a large pink circle at the bottom of the page
September 11, 2025 at 11:24 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
8yo is looking for some feedback on his Social Powered Space Station idea. Blue rectangles are solar panels, gray circles are generators. Each panel charges up a battery the same size so future space vessels can pop on in when they need it and leave theirs to recharge. #spaceexploration #space
A child's drawing. It has two rows of Blue rectangles (six in each row) which represent solar panels. Five circular generators are around the edge and in the middle
September 11, 2025 at 10:55 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
You know what the people of the NYC area love the week before 9/11?

Low flying military airfcraft. Love it. Adore it. Doesn't trigger any rough memories. More please
Screenshot of Twitter post from New York City's notification account. The text reads quote planned flyover a German Embassy NJ 90 sea lion aircraft will be conducting a flyover near Lower Manhattan at 10:45 a.m. on 9/5 the aircraft will fly at approximately 500 feet"
September 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
In one of the bolder moves of my parenting- I took my 8yo and 4yo to the beach today, solo, via NJtransit. We had a blast of an afternoon and no major issues or near misses. I'm exhausted but thrilled.
Two children with short dark hair sit facing the ocean as a wave breaks.
August 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
A quick Target run saved my actual run. Chapstick, cold water, a battery pack, and right out the door to the Shore Road Parkway.

Really glad I made this happen. Needed it today
Verrazano Bridge with sunset behind it Female runner in sunglasses takes a selfie in front of Verrazzano bridge Screenshot of run route and stats from Garmin. 4.62 miles.
August 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
And it is NOT just #HeadStart. Undocumented folks will be barred from using Health Center Program, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Prevention, and Recovery Support, Title X Family Planning Program, and much more.
The revised list newly includes all programs now classified as “Federal public benefits” under PRWORA:Certified Community Behavioral Health ClinicsCommunity Mental Health Services Block GrantCommunity Services Block Grant (CSBG)Head StartHealth Center ProgramHealth Workforce Programs not otherwise previously covered (including grants, loans, scholarships, payments, and loan repayments).Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Prevention, and Recovery Support Services Programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationProjects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Grant ProgramSubstance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block GrantTitle IV-E Educational and Training Voucher ProgramTitle IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance ProgramTitle IV-E Prevention Services ProgramTitle X Family Planning Program
July 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
Unironically, love that Global Entry's eye color menu allows for "blueish green" - I had to check my license to see what we list mine as.

Also. Red.
Dropdown menu of eye color options.
July 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
megancarolan.bsky.social
As always, great analysis at the link. But I do need some help better understanding Kagan here because I was *panicked* to see this was 7-2.
"Although Justice Elena Kagan had joined Sotomayor’s June 23 dissent when the court stayed the injunction, Kagan concurred with the Republican appointees on Thursday, writing, “I continue to believe that this Court should not have stayed the District Court’s April 18 order …. But a majority of this Court saw things differently, and I do not see how a district court can compel compliance with an order that this Court has stayed.“"
July 3, 2025 at 10:40 PM