CEP 101: Learn About the Basics Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) may be a strategic way to continue to offer free school meals in absence of federal waivers for the 2022-2023 school year. While planning for the upcoming school year, we encourage schools to take a fresh look at CEP. The deadline to apply for the 2022-2023 school year is June 30, 2022. The CEP application can be found in NYSED’s CEP memo. Learn more about how CEP works from Hunger Solutions New York’s new factsheet. |
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Applying for CEP: What You Need to Know - Take a closer look at direct certification: Direct certification helps determine which schools are eligible for CEP and what percentage of meals will be reimbursed at the free rate. This Direct Certification Tip Sheet is a resource that can help ensure all directly-certified students are captured to accurately assess the financial viability of CEP and maximize reimbursements under CEP.
- Explore additional ways to offer free meals for all: Beyond CEP, there are two additional options for providing universal free school meals. This resource compares CEP, Provision 2, and non-pricing to help you evaluate what option might work best for your district.
- Ramp up communications around school meal applications/household income forms: Schools using federal provisions — like CEP and Provision 2 — to offer free meals to all students are also required to collect household income data for state-based education funding and other benefits. This toolkit provides resources to help you communicate the importance of completing F/RP applications and encouraging families to submit them.
- Reach out for one-on-one assistance: Hunger Solutions New York seeks to be a resource to you as you determine which program is best for your school district.
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We Can Help! We are here to help as you navigate the CEP application and renewal process. Please feel free to email Jessica.PinoGoodspeed@HungerSolutionsNY.org for individualized assistance on CEP. Here are just a few of the ways that we can help: - Assist with financial analysis,
- Write emails or talking points for school administrators,
- Connect you with other CEP districts in the area,
- Assess potential impacts on Title I, state education funding, and ESSA, etc.
We are here to support you however we can, and look forward to working with you on CEP now or in the future. |
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