Free and Reduced Price Meal Eligibility Process: Getting Started 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 or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TTY). In the Midwest Region please notify the Regional Director, Civil Rights/EEO, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., FL 20, Chicago, IL or call (312) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Free and Reduced Price Meals Eligibility Process There are three sections for this webcast: 1) Getting Started 2) Eligibility Certification 3) Special Approval Situations and Recordkeeping Requirements 2

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 3

4 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

6 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

7 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,

8 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)

9  Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application Packet  Income Eligibility Guidelines  Public Release Download application materials annually from DPI website

10 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application English Spanish Other Languages (link to USDA)

11 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

12 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)

13 Income Eligibility guidelines Public Release

14 Income Eligibility Guidelines Income guidelines change on July 1 each year (however the guidelines have been extended for the entire 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)

15 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 16

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 !!!