1. Pat Birkenshaw State Director Child Nutrition Programs

2. Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 P.L. 108-265, Section 104 Direct Verification

3.  Helps to reduce the number of terminations from eligibility for free meals when households, selected for verification, do not respond.  Sponsors of the NSLP may choose to contact County Assistance Offices (CAOs) to verify a family’s receipt of Food Stamp or TANF benefits. By law, CAOs must cooperate by making available information from the child’s Food Stamp or TANF participation record, effective July 1, 2005.  PDE and DPW are currently involved in discussions on how to facilitate the exchange of information between CAOs and NSLP sponsors. Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Direct Verification