McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Sub-Grantee Meeting Collaboration with School Nutrition Julie Griffith, MPH, RD Colorado Department of Education Office of School Nutrition

Description of Presentation This session will provide an overview of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school nutrition programs, describe how homeless students qualify for these programs and offer best practices for collaboration with school nutrition staff and homeless liaisons at the local school district.

Handout and Agenda Handout Agenda Power Point Presentation Child Nutrition Programs Fact Sheet Agenda 30-35 minute presentation 10-15 minutes – questions & feedback

CDE – Office of School Nutrition School Lunch Program School Breakfast Program Afterschool Care Snack Program Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Special Milk Program Summer Foodservice Program Other Local wellness policies Smart Snacks in Schools

History of Child Nutrition Programs The New Deal legislation – 1930’s “Food Stamp Plan” which is now know as SNAP National School Lunch Program Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Trends of hunger and food insecurity increased due to economic recession Demonstrated relationship between food & nutrition and capacity of children to learn and grow http://www.allgov.com/departments/department-of-agriculture/food-and-nutrition-service?agencyid=7152/

Child Nutrition Program Expansion Legislation introduced to give the program permanent status Entitlement status 1946 - National School Lunch Act (NSLA) 1966 - Child Nutrition Act (CNA) School Breakfast Program Special Milk Program WIC CACFP http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117997/Making-invisible-visible-Haunting-pictures-Americas-vulnerable-people-shot-photojournalists-poverty.html

Definitions Hunger An individual experience of not being satisfied and having inadequate amounts of food on a daily basis These two groups together describe food insecurity. The terms are: Low Food Security: This term replaces “Food Insecurity without Hunger.” Generally, people that fall into this category have had to make changes in the quality or the quantity of their food in order to deal with a limited budget. Very Low Food Security: This term replaces “Food Insecurity with Hunger.” People that fall into this category have struggled with having enough food for the household, including cutting back or skipping meals on a frequent basis for both adults and children.

How does Food Insecurity Affect School Performance? Food insecurity is a huge risk to the “growth, health, cognitive, and behavioral potential” of those who are "in or near poverty”. Most behavioral, emotional, and academic problems are more prevalent among hungry children than non-hungry children. Food insecurity is linked to lower math scores, greater problems getting along with peers, poor health status, and higher prevalence of illness. Children also show greater signs of anxious, irritable, aggressive, and oppositional behaviors than low- income, non-hungry peers. Source: Dunifon, Rachel and Lori Kowaleski-Jones. 2003. “The Influences of Participation in the National School Lunch Program and Food Insecurity on Child Well‐Being.” Social Service Review 77(1):72-92.

What’s Happening In America Today? One in six Americans struggled with hunger in 2012. According to the USDA, more than 48.9 million Americans lived in households struggling against hunger in 2012. Of them, 15.8 million are children (21.6 percent of all children) Previously, in 2011, 50.1 million Americans were in food insecure households. The USDA defines food insecurity as meaning “consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.” Household situation; not an individual situation Lack of access to adequate food on a regular basis Source: http://frac.org/reports-and-resources/hunger-and-poverty/

Trends in Childhood Obesity Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. There are significant racial and age disparities in obesity prevalence among children and adolescents. In 2011-2012, obesity prevalence was higher among Hispanics (22.4%) and non-Hispanic black youth (20.2%) than non-Hispanic white youth (14.1%). Source: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html

School Nutrition Reform The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) enacted on December 13, 2010 was a landmark piece of legislation that was passed in a highly unconventional manner through Congress. This was the first time in 30 years that real reform was made to the child nutrition programs. Main Goals Improve Nutrition and Focuses on Reducing Childhood Obesity Increase Access Increase Program Monitoring and Integrity

Key Events & Developments Reauthorized NSLA & CNA Started Let’s Move! Created Childhood Obesity Task Force Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended changes to nutritional guidelines http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/27531_293661022758_1952_n.jpg

Free and Reduced Price Lunch Eligibility Federal – USDA State – Office of School Nutrition Local – Local School Districts All schools participating in the NSLP or SBP must make free and reduced price meals available to eligible children Applications Direct Certification SNAP (food stamps) Migrant, homeless, foster, Head Start

Free and Reduced Price Meals Reduced meals – 185% Federal Poverty Guidelines Households must pay a reduced amount for meals Free meals – 100% Federal Poverty Guidelines Household applications Direct certification with SNAP or on a migrant, homeless, foster or Head Start list Must meet certain nutrition standards Whole grains Low fat Low sodium More fruits and vegetables Less processed foods

Increased Access to School Meals Direct Certifications Applications No applications SNAP Migrant Homeless Runaway Foster Head Start Can be a barrier Time consuming Delay in processing Fear of reporting income Fear of disclosure Parents just forget!

Homeless Children USDA Definition A child is considered homeless if s/he is identified as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act or by the director of a homeless shelter. Includes: Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces or similar setting

Runaway Children and Homeless Youth Act (RYHA) Runaway students are considered homeless Identified by homeless liaisons Documentation Child’s name or list of names Effective date Signature of homeless liaison or appropriate officials

Documenting Free Meal Eligibility for Homeless Children Each school district has an Homeless Liaison assigned to identify homeless children Homeless Liaison must document the child’s name, the date of determination and include a signature Acceptable documentation List with child’s name, signature of liaison, date Letter from Homeless Liaison McKinney-Vento Identification Template

YOU are important! Household may submit an application indicating homeless status but this must be verified to allow student free meals Information from the homeless contact is the only method of verification for free meals Student remains eligible for free meals for the current school year plus up to 30 operating days in the subsequent school year Even if the child secures a permanent residence

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) New USDA school eligibility option Eligibility based on identified students (SNAP, migrant, homeless, foster and Head Start) No applications Free breakfast and lunch to all students District is reimbursed based on percentage of identified students

How can we improve collaboration? Barriers Solutions Lack of communication between school free and reduced contact and Homeless Liaison Staff turnover Busy schedules Confusion with rules and regulations Determine contact at school district before school starts Update homeless lists frequently Provide lists to F&R contacts Use state office contacts

Questions? Feedback? What’s Working? What’s Not?

Resources USDA – Child Nutrition Programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/child-nutrition-programs CDE – Office of School Nutrition http://www.cde.state.co.us/nutrition FRAC http://frac.org/ School Nutrition Association http://www.schoolnutrition.org/

Contact Information Julie Griffith, MPH, RD Office of School Nutrition 1580 Logan Street, Suite 760 Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-6759 griffith_j@cde.state.co.us