4/11 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 04/14/2025 02:52 PM PDT

4/11 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Update: SY 2025–26 CEP Eligibility Report — Now Available!

Update: SY 2025–26 CEP Eligibility Report — Now Available!

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is required to annually notify Local Education Agencies (LEAs) of their district-wide eligibility to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The SY 2025–26 CEP Eligibility Report estimates both the district-wide and an individual school’s Identified Student Percentage (ISP) using information from the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) as of April 1, 2025.

The CEP Eligibility Report identifies LEAs and individual schools in the following categories:

Eligible to Participate — ISP of at least 25%.

Near Eligible to Participate — ISP greater than 15% but less than 25% (may be eligible to participate).

Eligible for State CEP Funds — ISP of 40% or greater.

Near Eligible for State CEP Funds — ISP of 30% or greater

LEAs currently participating in CEP in some capacity.

The reported ISP is an estimate. To receive approval, LEAs must calculate their actual ISP and submit source documentation representative of April 1, 2025. ISPs must be validated by OSPI prior to approval to operate CEP.

The CEP application is open in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS). Please use the CEP Application Checklist to gather the required materials for the application. The deadline to submit CEP applications in WINS is June 30, 2025. Additional tools to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply for CEP are posted to the CEP & Provision II Webpage.

CEP State Requirements

RCW 28A.235.300 requires all schools with an ISP of 40% or greater to participate in CEP. The state legislature provides state funds to CEP schools with an ISP of 40% or greater. When a school’s Free Claiming Percentage (the ISP multiplied by 1.6 (federal multiplier)) is less than 100%, state funding will supplement federal reimbursement so that all meals served are reimbursed at the federal free rate. Please note that state funds will only be provided to CEP school(s) with an overall ISP of 40% or greater.

The CEP: Increasing Options for Schools Final Rule lowered the minimum ISP to 25%. However, state supplemental funds do not cover individual schools or groups that operate CEP with an overall ISP less than 40%. LEAs are encouraged to review their data and determine if it’s financially viable for the district to operate CEP with an ISP between 25–40%.

Questions?  Please contact your  School Meal Programs Specialist or email SchoolMeals@k12.wa.us

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

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This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.