Free and Reduced Price Meal Eligibility Process: Getting Started 2010 - 2011 1 In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy,

Free and Reduced PriceMeal Eligibility Process:

Getting Started2010 - 2011

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

For Food Distribution on Indian Reservations discrimination is also prohibited on the bases of religion and political beliefs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). In the Midwest Region please notify the Regional Director, Civil Rights/EEO, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., FL 20, Chicago, IL 60604-3591 or call (312) 353-3353. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Free and Reduced PriceMeals Eligibility Process

There are three sections for this webcast:

1)Getting Started2)Eligibility Certification 3)Special Approval Situations and

Recordkeeping Requirements

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General Requirement

Schools participating in national School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must make free and reduced-price meals available to eligible children

Eligibility Manual (EM) page 2

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Save These WebPages:

DPI Child Nutrition Website is located at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_index

Free and Reduced Price and Eligibility information is located at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_fincou1

Hot Topics - new information

Quick Links to frequently used topics

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Eligibility Manual for School Meals

January 2008 edition at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_fincou1

Check for additional USDA Guidance Memos at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_usdaplcymem

Current Resources:Use the USDA materials

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Getting Started Download current materials from DPI website Send out Public Release to:

Media Local Organizations working with low-income households

Distribute Application Materials about 4 weeks before school starts but no earlier than July 1

Complete the Direct Certification Process

EM pages 3, 7 – 8, 47 - 50

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Locating Free and Reduced Application Materials

Free and Reduced applications materials are available on the DPI website at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_fincou1

Most documents and forms are available on the DPI Website (many are available as Word documents that you can modify after download)

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Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application Packet

Income Eligibility Guidelines

Public Release

Download application materials annually from DPI website

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Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application

English

Spanish

Other Languages (link to USDA)

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Free/Reduced-Price Meals Application/Distribution

1. Must use the current DPI prototype forms

2. Changes to wording on application other than school name, programs, and names/numbers to contact requires DPI approval prior to distribution

3. Must send or distribute to households of all students enrolled. Distribute after July 1(but only about four weeks before the beginning of the school year) EM page 7

4. Maintain confidentiality of all household/student application and eligibility information

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Free/Reduced-Price Meals Application Packet

Foreign language translations are available to help households understand the application process:

Spanish - on the DPI website

Other languages – on the DPI website but links to USDA website (these have not been modified for Wisconsin)

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Income Eligibility guidelines

Public Release

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Income Eligibility Guidelines

Income guidelines change on July 1 each year (however the 2009-2010 guidelines have been extended for the entire 2010 -2011 school year)

Must use the correct year income guidelines when approving applications

Do not send the complete free/reduced guidelines to parents with the application materials (application packet materials have only the top of reduced category)

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Public Release

Must send to at least one media source and to at least one local/grass roots organization that works with low - income people in the community

Required TO SEND release to the media, not required TO PAY to have it published.

Keep copy of the public release as sent out

and documentation of where it was sent

Community Outreach Send Public Release to Community and

Grassroots Organizations that work with low-income households

Include: Programs School Offers (NSLP, SBP, etc.) Sample form the agency can use to

tell/show families what is available How family can get a copy of form and

complete to receive benefits

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The Free and Reduced-Price Meal Eligibility Certification

Process Other Training Opportunities at:

fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_training

DPI Trainings

Summer Classes

Wisline Sessions

Webcast Sessions

Thank you for participating

and for your support of

Wisconsin students every day !!!