Understanding USDA’S Special Milk Program for Schools Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Team

The Special Milk Program or SMP…. Started in 1955 with the purpose of providing milk to children in schools, child care institutions, and summer camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition programs. The program reimburses sponsors for the milk they serve.

Eligibility Requirements for Schools Must be a recognized school Must operate as a non profit program with tax exempt status – 501(c)(3) Participating students cannot have access to school breakfast or lunch programs

In other words…. Schools who participate in the school meals programs may claim half-day students under the SMP only if those students do not have access to other school meals Schools who do not participate in other school meals programs may claim all milk consumed by children under the SMP

Other requirements Participating schools must: comply with Civil Rights laws have an adequate Point of Service (POS) counting system develop and adopt a school Wellness Policy secure milk supplies through open and free competition

Civil Rights May not restrict enrollment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability “And Justice For All” Posters

Point of Service (POS) Milks must be counted and documented at the time the child receives it Must provide protection from overt identification May include more than one milk per child May not include adult milks or milks used for cooking, class projects etc.

Wellness Policy Required under USDA’s Reauthorization of the child nutrition programs 2004 Developed by a wellness committee Needs to address the total school environment Intended to be a working document with annual progress reports and public notification requirements

SMP options Pricing plan Pricing plan with free milk option Non-pricing Plan

Pricing Plan Milk is sold to all children with the reimbursement utilized to keep the cost to students low ½ pint price should reflect difference between federal reimbursements and cost to operate the program

For example The reimbursement rate for the school year is $0.23 per half pint. If the dairy cost for your school is.28 cents per ½ pint and administrative/supply costs to operate the SMP are.05 cents per half pint, the cost to children for milk should be approximately.10 cents per ½ pint of milk Dairy Cost.28 (per ½ pint) Admin/supply +.05 Program cost.33 Less reimbursement -.23 Student cost for milk.10

Pricing Plan with the Free Milk Option Schools may opt to provide milk at no charge to students who qualify for free milk benefits Schools are reimbursed at the normal reimbursement rate for children who pay and at the net dairy cost for children who qualify for free milk benefits

Free Milk Option Requirements Public release statement Applications for free milk Protection from overt identification

Public Release Submitted each year  Community publication  Are not required to pay to have it published Grassroots distribution  Community sites  Libraries, food pantries, WIC offices

Applications for Free Milk Must be completed by parent and determined by school official Based on income, FoodShare or W-2 cash benefits case number  Applications based on income require the last 4 digits of an adult SS# or check the box for no SS# All Materials may be downloaded at:

Protection from overt identification Must provide a payment option that does not overtly identify students who are receiving free milk Must provide daily accountability of milk consumption utilizing a method that does not overtly identify students receiving free milk

Non-Pricing Plan Children are not charged for milk (The cost may be covered through tuition or boarding fees) Reimbursement is based on current year’s federal reimbursement rate

Special Milk Contract Updated each year on the DPI website: SMP Contract Manual: 14.pdf 14.pdf Includes accountability procedures and pricing option as well as dates of operation Schools that also participate in NSLP must indicate on their school lunch contract which schools participate in SMP

Recordkeeping Requirements Daily participation records Financial accountability Monthly Claims Purchasing Civil Rights – Disabilities Temperature Logs Sanitation Must retain all required documents for 5 years plus the current school year

Daily Participation Records Teacher checklist/student roster  Prototype available online at:  Must provide accurate and acceptable Point of Service (POS) count May not be based on dairy invoices, paid milk receipts, or attendance lists

Financial Accountability All funds must be used to support SMP Fund balance cannot exceed 3 months operating costs Funds must be shown as separate line or ledger item in bookkeeping system Excess funds may not be transferred to general fund

Monthly Claims Submitted online at: Must be submitted within 60 calendar days of claim month Must be submitted from accurate and acceptable POS system

Purchasing requirements Must practice free and open competition  “Three Bids and a Buy” Price quotes and bids must be documented Contracts exceeding $150,000 require formal bid More Information:

Civil Rights: Children with Disabilities If a child has a documented disability as determined by a licensed physician schools must provide a substitute beverage as prescribed by the physician without additional cost to the student If a child has a milk intolerance schools may provide lactose free milk or a milk substitute. If the school chooses to provide a milk substitute the school must submit the nutritional information to the DPI School Nutrition Team office before serving the substitute to ensure that it is nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk Physician’s Form and more info on Special Dietary Needs:

Temperature Logs Must keep a daily temperature log for any refrigerator or cooler that is used for the Special Milk Program Must keep on file for 6 months Record dates when cooler/refrigerator was cleaned on same log Prototype Log:

Sanitation SMP only schools must provide milk storage facilities to ensure that milk is kept in a sanitary and temperature-safe environment Schools who also participate in NSLP are required to have at least 2 sanitation inspections each year. The results of the inspections must be posted in a public area.

Other things schools need to know about the SMP… Schools are subject to an on site review of the SMP every 3 years All SMP materials including the online application, are available on the DPI website: “And Justice for All” posters are available by contacting the DPI School Nutrition Team

If you have more questions…. You can contact: Gina Kulka Allison Pfaff, RDN, CD

Thank you!

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