Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

Expanded Eligibility For USDA Community Eligibility Provision And Webinar

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/03/2023 01:20 PM PDT

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To: Education Partner Leaders and Communicators, SNP Newsletter, Charter School Leaders, K-12 Public Information Officers, Superintendents
From: Dustin Melton, Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs
Date: October 3, 2023
Re: Expanded Eligibility For USDA Community Eligibility Provision And Webinar

Dear Education Partners,

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring students have healthy and available food options in school. Last month, the USDA announced an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This meal service option allows schools to provide meals at no cost to all students without requiring families to apply for free and reduced-price meals. CEP funding is based on a formula using existing data from the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP) and other programs to determine eligibility. The change, which goes into effect on October 26, 2023, means more schools in Oregon can apply to receive the USDA Community Eligibility Provision funding.

Previously, 40 percent of district students were required to be in households participating in specific income-based federal assistance programs; this has decreased to a threshold of 25 percent, as outlined in this final rule.

What does this mean for Oregon Schools?

Districts that qualify with the lower threshold of 25 percent will be eligible to participate in the USDA Community Eligibility Provision after October 26, 2023.
ODE Child Nutrition Programs has applied for a waiver from the USDA to permit mid-year CEP election to allow newly eligible schools to participate in CEP during the 23-24 school year.
If the waiver from the USDA is approved, school districts and eligible public charter schools may use the Direct Certification-Medicaid (DC-M) data to re-evaluate their identified student percentage.
To receive state funds, you still must be at or above the 40 percent threshold of qualifying students. The OAR outlines the guidelines for qualifying. Community Eligibility Provision Incentive funds (also referred to as Student Success Act (SSA) funds) are only available to public schools and eligible public charters that meet the 40% threshold of qualifying students.

Resources and Webinar:

We know this update may raise questions from your community. Please utilize this community-centered message on our website, to help inform your families.

FNS is hosting webinars for school food authority staff focused on the CEP final rule.

Webinar for school food authorities: Thursday, October 5, 2023, 2:00 PM EST.

Please register for the Zoom webinar here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Y1zYX1IfST6fFqMMBV4uQQ

The webinar will be offered with closed captioning. Participants who require a different accessibility tool to participate in this webinar should reach out to SM.FNS.HRD.ReasonableAccommodation@usda.gov for assistance as soon as possible.

Questions?

Please contact your Child Nutrition Specialist.

Child Nutrition Programs will communicate the final waiver information once it becomes available.

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