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

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Child Nutrition Program Expansion
Legislation introduced to give the program permanent status
Entitlement status
National School Lunch Act (NSLA)
Child Nutrition Act (CNA)
School Breakfast Program
Special Milk Program
WIC
CACFP

7. 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.

8. 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 “The Influences of Participation in the National School Lunch Program and Food Insecurity on Child Well‐Being.” Social Service Review 77(1):72-92.

9. 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:

10. 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 , obesity prevalence was higher among Hispanics (22.4%) and non-Hispanic black youth (20.2%) than non-Hispanic white youth (14.1%).
Source:

11. 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

12. Key Events & Developments
Reauthorized NSLA & CNA
Started Let’s Move!
Created Childhood Obesity Task Force
Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended changes to nutritional guidelines

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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!

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. Resources USDA – Child Nutrition Programs
CDE – Office of School Nutrition
FRAC
School Nutrition Association

24. Contact Information
Julie Griffith, MPH, RD Office of School Nutrition 1580 Logan Street, Suite 760 Denver, CO (303)