Today, I got an e-mail letting media know about a new Web site for North Dakota parents.

Bridge to Benefits is a one-stop online screening tool where you can check your eligibility for many public assistance programs, including children’s health insurance, energy assistance, school meal programs and Medicaid. You simply answer a few questions about your family and income (I tried it and it took less than 5 minutes).

Here’s the address: http://nd.bridgetobenefits.org/

Minnesota also has a site: http://mn.bridgetobenefits.org/