Published in The Muskogee Phoenix August 23, 2016
ATTACHMENT E PUBLIC RELEASE
Due to regulations, all school food authorities (SFAs)/institutions must annually submit a public release to the informational media, local unemployment offices, any companies contemplating layoffs in that district’s area, grassroots organizations, and interested individuals upon request.
Date submitted to news media: 8/19/2016
Name(s) of media outlets and companies submitted to: Warner Public School
Warner Public School
today announced its policy for free or reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the After-School Snack Program (ASSP).
Local SFA officials have adopted the following household size and income criteria for determining eligibility:
Eligibility Scale for Free Meals 130 Percent Poverty Level
Eligibility Scale for Reduced-Price Meals 185 Percent Poverty Level
* For each additional family member.
Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
For SFA officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits must list the children’s names, a SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number; and the signature of an adult household member. All children in households with any household member receiving benefits under assistance programs are eligible for free meals. Children in Other Source Categorically Eligible (i.e., children categorized as homeless, migrant, runaway, Head Start, Even Start, and foster children, if known) are also eligible for free meals. IF YOU DO NOT LIST A SNAP, TANF, OR FDPIR CASE NUMBER, then the application must have the children’s names, total household members, the amount of income each member received last month, the signature of an adult household member, and the last four digits of the adult’s social security number or the mark the box if he or she does not have one.
Foster children also categorically qualify for free meals/milk, regardless of the child’s income. If you have foster children living with you and wish to apply for such meals or milk for them, please complete the application as instructed.
Under the provisions of the policy, Rachelle Pierce will review applications and determine eligibility.
Parents or guardians wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to: David Vinson 1012 5th Ave. Warner, OK 74469 for a hearing to appeal the decision. The school’s policy statement contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
DIRECT CERTIFICATION: Any member of a household currently certified to receive SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits will be notified of the enrolled children’s eligibility and that the enrolled children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the SFA that it chooses to decline benefits. If SNAP, TANF, and FDPIR households are not notified by 8- 11-2016 of their eligibility, they will need to submit an application.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at
(800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call
(866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.
20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442 or (3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Each school and the office of the Warner Public School has a copy of the policy which may be reviewed by any interested party.
