8/25/04

Press Release

OKCPS to Offer Free/Reduced Price Meals

The Oklahoma City Public School District today announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast Programs and After-School Snack Program. The District has adopted specific guidelines concerning household size and income criteria for determining eligibility. -Free and reduced-price scales-

Children from households whose income is at or below the criteria are eligible for free and reduced price meals. Application forms will be available at the school. Completed applications should be given to the cafeteria manager or school office. Application forms may be mailed to the OKCPS Child Nutrition Services Applications Office, 2500 N.W. 30th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73111.

Information provided on the application is confidential and will be used for 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 school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps, “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” (TANF), or “Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations” (FDPIR) must list the child’s name; his/her food stamp, TANF, or FDPIR case number; and the signature of an adult household member. If you do not list a food stamp, TANF, or FDPIR case number for all children you are applying for, 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 adult’s social security number or the word none if the adult does not have a social security number.

In certain cases, foster children also are eligible for school meal benefits, regardless of child’s income. If a family has a foster child living with them and wishes to apply for benefits on the child’s behalf, they should complete part 2 and 4 of the application.

Under the provisions of the policy, the Cafeteria Manager 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 Bonnie Bowman, Director of Child Nutrition Services, 2500 N.E. 30th, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, (405) 587-1032 for a hearing to appeal the decision. The school’s policy statement contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

Households that list a food stamp, TANF, or FDPIR case number must report when the household no longer receives these benefits. Other households approved for benefits must report income increases in household income of over $50 per month ($600 per year) and decreases in household size. Also, if a household member becomes unemployed of if the household size increases, the household should contact the school.  Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown.

In accordance with federal law and United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. You may also write to the Oklahoma State Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs, Child Nutrition Programs Section, Room 310, 2500 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599.

Each school and the Child Nutrition Services office has a copy of the policy which may be reviewed by any interested party. More information is available by calling (405) 587-1127.

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