April 11, 2011
TO: Sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food and Summer Food Service Programs
RE: Eligibility of Children Evacuated from Japan and Bahrain
The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs (ODE CNP) received
guidance from USDA concerning free or reduced price meal benefits to participants
being evacuated from Japan and Bahrain due to the recent disasters and, if applicable,
their host families. These participants are eligible for meal benefits if they enroll with a
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or Summer Food Service Program
(SFSP) sponsor.
Determining Eligibility for the CACFP and SFSP
CACFP or SFSP sponsors that require eligibility information can accept certification of
the child’s or adult’s homeless status from the agency that assisted with the evacuation
or is providing shelter. If the child is not residing in an emergency shelter, the sponsor
should have an adult living with the child complete an income eligibility form indicating
that the child is homeless. No further information is required to certify that child’s
eligibility.
Determining Eligibility for Host Families
USDA’s policy on certifying children designated as homeless when they reside with
another household states that a child or family may temporarily reside with another
household and still be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act. In these cases, the household size and income of the host family is not
taken into consideration in determining the free meal eligibility for the children
designated as homeless by the local education agency (LEA) liaison.
Additionally, when a host family applies for free and reduced price meals for their own
children, the host family may include the homeless family as household members if the
host family provides financial support to the homeless family, such as shelter, utilities,
clothing or food. In such cases, the host family must also include any income received
by the homeless family. The child care or summer sponsor, determines eligibility for the
host family in the traditional manner.
However, free meal eligibility for the homeless child is based on the documentation
provided by the homeless liaison from the LEA or other source, even when the child is
included on the host family’s free and reduced price meal application.
If you have questions regarding the status of the evacuees, please contact your
assigned Child Nutrition Specialist.
Sincerely,
Lynne Reinoso
Manager, Community Nutrition
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of the Superintendent