Community Eligibility Provision An Overview of the Basics 2015 ESEA Directors Institute August 27, 2015

Consolidated Planning & Monitoring Renee Palakovic Director of Planning

Objectives

Objectives USDA Presentation –July 30, 2015—National Title I Directors Summer Meeting CEP Overview CEP, data collection, and other federal programs Implementation update Q & A

CEP Fundamentals

What is the Community Eligibility Provision The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows schools with a high percentage of needy children to serve free meals to all enrolled students for a period of up to four consecutive year Individual schools, groups of schools, or entire school systems may elect CEP, provided they meet the participation requirements

Combating Child Hunger CEP simplifies the process by which low income children access healthy school meals Nearly 16 million American children live in households that struggle to put food on the table; CEP can extend a vital lifeline to members of your school community who are in need

What makes CEP different? Traditional school meal programs require schools to determine each student’s eligibility for free or reduced price school meals CEP eliminates household applications and the need to collect money from students CEP relies on data matching with other assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

CEP Benefits

Eligibility for CEP Schools, groups of schools or school districts must have an identified student percentage (ISP) of at least 40% as of April 1 st of the school year prior to implementing CEP Participate in or agree to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) Have a record of administering the programs in accordance with regulations

How is the identified student percentage (ISP) calculated? The identified student percentage may be determine by: –An individual participating school –A group of participating schools in the LEA –Entire LEA if all schools participate

Grouping Example In this example, three schools are grouped together by their LEA: Total identified students for group (248) Total enrollment for group (420 Identified Students EnrollmentISP School % School % School % Group of Schools %

How are meals claimed? ISP is multiplied by a factor of 1.6 to determine the % of total meals served that will be reimbursed at the federal FREE rate –1.6 multiplier approximates free and reduced % if applications were still being collected The remaining % of total meals is reimbursed at the federal PAID rate If ISP ≥ 62.5, all meals reimbursed at FREE rate (62.5 X 1.6 = 100) Costs in excess of federal reimbursements must be covered using non-federal funding sources

Four Year Cycles A new identified student percentage may be established each cycle year (April 1) LEAs/schools in year 4 with an identified student percentage of less than 40% but more than 30% may elect to participate for an additional year (grace year) LEAs or school(s) electing CEP may return to standard counting and claiming procedures any time during the school year Automatic extensions are NOT available for CEP

Financial Viability Ensuring financial viability is key when electing CEP An evaluation study of pilot states found that the average identified student percentage was around 55% or higher USDA Estimator Tool

CEP Enrollment Process Step 1 –Interested schools and districts must notify their State agency by June 30 th of intent to participate –Documentation is submitted to State agency indicating eligibility Step 2 –The State agency reviews documentation to ensure the school/district: Meets the 40% ISP requirement Participates in NSLP and SBP Has a record of administering the meal program compliantly Step 3 –Once the school/district is approved, the State agency will facilitate training and technical assistance

Important Dates

Federal, State & Local Education Funding

CEP & Data Usage in ED Community CEP eliminates a data source traditionally relied upon by other federal programs and the education community at large Other federal programs have adapted to changes accelerated by CEP take-up Represents opportunity to move to different, and possible more reliable SES measures

Title I USDOE guidance on how LEAs can successfully implement Title I requirements while operating CEP FNS policy memo SP , “Community Eligibility Provision: Revised Department of Education Title I Guidance” may be accessed at: There are many options potentially available to LEAs for meeting Title I data requirements! Determine which solutions are available and/or preferred in your State

E-Rate The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also released guidance on federal funding for the E-Rate program, detailed in FMS policy memo SP : SY : CEP schools may use the NSLP eligibility data that they previously submitted for the most recent funding year in which they did not participate in CEP SY : CEP schools may use claiming percentage (ISP X 1.6)

What about state & local education funding? State funding: Work with State agency to determine options; most States have resolved or are working to eliminate barriers Local funding: communicate with stakeholders; determine options

Communicate with Stakeholders Include all stakeholders in conversations about CEP: –School administrators/board members –School food service staff and/or food service vendors –Title I and SEA contact –State nutrition/education contacts –PTS representatives –Other groups that may be impacted by CEP

Forum Guide to Alternate SES Measures Developed by National Forum on Education Statistics to provide education community with best practices for developing alternative socioeconomic status indicators Released June 24, 2015 Accessible at:

Forum Guide to Alternate SES Measures Weaknesses of Free and Reduced Price data include: –Use often falls outside collection purpose –Limited access –Decreasing usefulness/quality issues Recommendations include: –Building consensus and assessing needs –Take advantage of existing data sources –Selecting multiple data measures to paint full picture of SES

Success Stories & Resources

CEP: Tried, Tested, Delivering Results States have made tremendous progress in implementing CEP in its first year of nationwide availability. In : –Over 14,000 schools –About 2,200 LEAs –6.8 million enrolled children –49 states and the District of Columbia participated

CEP is Growing! Numerous positive success stories from State and local stakeholders Higher participation in school meal programs frequently reported CEP elections likely to increase in

Helpful CEP Resources from USDA Community Eligibility Resource Center on USDA FNS website: Includes: –Policy guidance –Program requirements/information –Reimbursement estimator & grouping tool –CEP guidance from other federal agencies

FRAUD, WASTE or ABUSE Citizens and agencies are encouraged to report fraud, waste or abuse in State and Local government. NOTICE: This agency is a recipient of taxpayer funding. If you observe an agency director or employee engaging in any activity which you consider to be illegal, improper or wasteful, please call the state Comptroller’s toll- free Hotline: Notifications can also be submitted electronically at: