
-
BlogOn March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision, an option by which schools with a sufficiently low-income population can offer free school meals to all students.USDA moves to expand flexibility for schools to offer free school meals
-
Blog
USDA moves to expand flexibility for schools to offer free school meals
On March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), an option by which schools with a sufficiently low-income population can offer free school meals to all students. Counties support this proposal, which would allow school districts in our communities to receive additional federal funding to support increased, nutritious meals for students in need.
USDA’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) would allow more schools to qualify for CEP program by lowering the minimum Identified Student Percentage (ISP) threshold from 40 percent to 25 percent. A school or district’s ISP represents the share of students who automatically qualify for free school lunch programs due to their participation in other means-tested federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs. Schools that qualify for CEP can then expand the free school lunch program to all enrolled students. In practice, this rule change would give schools the opportunity to receive increased federal reimbursement to support free school meals for all students. It would also reduce paperwork and other administrative burden for families and school employees by removing application requirements.
County governments serve as the front line of the social safety net, providing critical services funded by a combination of federal, state and local dollars that safeguard the health and economic wellbeing of our residents. As such, counties are crucial partners in supporting and administering child nutrition and education programs. In addition to administering the SNAP program in 10 states representing 32 percent of all program participants, counties fully or partially fund school meal programs in Alaska, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. County-funded programs across these states represent 18.2 percent of all free and reduced school lunch participants and 10.1 percent of school breakfast program participants.
Counties support federal policy changes, including the NPRM, to expand access to breakfast, lunch and snacks at school for all students at no cost and ensure that schools providers receive adequate funding and reimbursement to implement this program and meet rigorous nutrition standards.
USDA has requested public comments on the proposed change. NACo members can submit their comments here. Comments must be submitted before May 8, 2023 to be considered.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: NACo’s response to the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health
- NACo Report: The County Human Services and Education Landscape
- NACo Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
On March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision, an option by which schools with a sufficiently low-income population can offer free school meals to all students.2023-03-30Blog2023-03-30
On March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), an option by which schools with a sufficiently low-income population can offer free school meals to all students. Counties support this proposal, which would allow school districts in our communities to receive additional federal funding to support increased, nutritious meals for students in need.
USDA’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) would allow more schools to qualify for CEP program by lowering the minimum Identified Student Percentage (ISP) threshold from 40 percent to 25 percent. A school or district’s ISP represents the share of students who automatically qualify for free school lunch programs due to their participation in other means-tested federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs. Schools that qualify for CEP can then expand the free school lunch program to all enrolled students. In practice, this rule change would give schools the opportunity to receive increased federal reimbursement to support free school meals for all students. It would also reduce paperwork and other administrative burden for families and school employees by removing application requirements.
County governments serve as the front line of the social safety net, providing critical services funded by a combination of federal, state and local dollars that safeguard the health and economic wellbeing of our residents. As such, counties are crucial partners in supporting and administering child nutrition and education programs. In addition to administering the SNAP program in 10 states representing 32 percent of all program participants, counties fully or partially fund school meal programs in Alaska, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. County-funded programs across these states represent 18.2 percent of all free and reduced school lunch participants and 10.1 percent of school breakfast program participants.
Counties support federal policy changes, including the NPRM, to expand access to breakfast, lunch and snacks at school for all students at no cost and ensure that schools providers receive adequate funding and reimbursement to implement this program and meet rigorous nutrition standards.
USDA has requested public comments on the proposed change. NACo members can submit their comments here. Comments must be submitted before May 8, 2023 to be considered.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
-
Blog
Changes enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expires
On May 11, “Title 42”, a pandemic-era policy that allowed for the rapid expulsion of asylum seekers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ended. In anticipation of the end of Title 42, several changes to federal immigration processes have been made, which impact county governments. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health Crisis
Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates for Policy Solutions at White House, on Capitol Hill -
Webinar
Familiar Faces Initiative: Model Jurisdictions for Improving Outcomes through Coordinated Health and Justice Systems
May. 11, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmIn 2022, NACo relaunched the Familiar Faces Initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month to support counties and cities in better meeting the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis service -
Blog
How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Deterra. Empower Your Community: Enhance Drug Disposal Programs with At-Home Deactivation & Disposal Solutions -
County News
Counties are boosting, normalizing mental health support services for their employees
Counties like Santa Clara County, Calif. have expanded their mental health services offerings for employees. -
County News
County program offers opportunities for developmentally disabled residents
Prince George’s County, Md.’s Project HIRE finds good fits for residents with special needs, enriching county departments and participants’ work experiences.
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06132:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06152:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
-
Government Affairs Intern
Related Posts
-
BlogChanges enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expiresMay. 12, 2023
-
BlogHow counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposalMay. 9, 2023
-
County NewsCounties are boosting, normalizing mental health support services for their employeesMay. 9, 2023
Related Resources
-
Press ReleaseNational Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health CrisisMay. 11, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsMental Health Awareness Month: County Participation ToolkitMar. 24, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role In Long-Term CareFeb. 24, 2023
Related Events
-
13Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
15Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties.
Learn More