Pat Birkenshaw

Pat Birkenshaw

State DirectorChild Nutrition

Programs

P.L. 108-265, Section 104

Effective Dates Vary

Direct Certification

Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and RegulationsPennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

Process that allows local education agencies to certify children who are members of households receiving Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as eligible for FREE school meals without further application.

Intent of Direct Certification is to facilitate participation in school meals programs by simplifying access to free meals for low-income children.



Research continues to show that Direct Certification accurately brings more children into the school meals programs.

Direct Certification has been optional for all schools participating in federal school meals programs since 1991.



Direct Certification is no longer optional! Direct Certification must be implemented by all public and non-public sponsors of the National School Lunch Program according to the following time table:

Mandated Direct

Certification Goes Into Effect

In

For School Districts with Enrollments of

At Least In School Year

July 2006 25,000 students 2005-06

July 2007 10,000 students 2006-07

July 2008 and thereafter

All Public and non-Public

NSLP Sponsors2007-08


PDE mails the confidentiality statement to school districts, via PEARS, for Superintendents’ signatures. School districts choosing to participate in Direct Certification return the signed confidentiality statements to the PDE.

In the first or second week of August, the PDE receives an electronic file from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) with the names of children from families receiving Food Stamp or TANF benefits during the month of July, sorted by school district zip code.


How Direct CertificationCurrently Works in Pennsylvania

PDE sends the electronic file to our Bureau of Information Systems (BIS), who then provides copies of Direct Certification lists, by school district, in hard copy, floppy disks, or CD’s, as requested by individual school districts.

PDE then mails Direct Certification lists to school districts in the requested formats.


How Direct CertificationCurrently Works in Pennsylvania

School districts continue to complain that Direct Certification lists from the PDE are received too late.

School districts need lists by the first or second week in August to prepare notifications to families that they do not need to complete income eligibility applications based on their categorical eligibility for Food Stamps or TANF.


Current Challenges with Direct Certification

in Pennsylvania

Students appearing on Direct Certification lists may be enrolled in a neighboring school district.

All students from the same family may not be included on Direct Certification lists.


Current Challenges with Direct Certification

in Pennsylvania

With the permission of USDA, DPW will now provide PDE with June rather than July Food Stamp and TANF participation data.

Direct Certification lists should be mailed to school districts by August 10th.


PDE’s Response to these Challenges forSchool Year 2005 - 2006

The challenge of students appearing on the Direct Certification lists, who are not enrolled in the requesting school district, may continue.

The challenge of all students from the same family, not appearing on Direct Certification lists, may continue.


PDE’s Response to these Challenges forSchool Year 2005 - 2006


PDE’s Mid to Long-Term Response toDirect Certification Challenges

COMPASS

www.compass.state.pa.us


Provides opportunities for Pennsylvanians to apply for a wide variety of social programs including healthcare coverage, foods stamps and cash assistance (TANF) online.

Provides opportunity for the PA Department of Education to include the income eligibility application for free and reduced price meals in COMPASS.

Provides opportunity for families to apply for school meals benefits online in COMPASS.

COMPASSwww.compass.state.pa.us


Schools will be able to access COMPASS for free and reduced meals income eligibility applications.

Schools will be able to access COMPASS for direct certification lists.

Schools will be able to access COMPASS to verify applications with food stamp or TANF case numbers.

Schools will be able to print out applications, direct certification lists, etc.

Why COMPASS Will Benefit Sponsorsof the National School Lunch Program


Timeline for Adding Free & ReducedApplications to COMPASS

School Year 2004-05:

PDE is working in partnership with the Department of Public Welfare, Deloitte Consulting and five school food service directors to develop method for schools to access COMPASS. ▫Carol Gilbert, Hempfield S.D.

▫Candy Hartranft, Conrad Weiser Area S.D.

▫Joanne Kinsey, Allentown City S.D.

▫David Lloyd, Harrisburg City S.D.

▫Ann Ziobrowski, Chambersburg Area S.D.


Timeline for Adding Free & ReducedApplications to COMPASS

School Year 2005-06: Ten to 15 school districts will be asked to pilot

COMPASS; Based on feedback, required changes will be

made; and Training will be provided as necessary.

School Year 2006-07: All public and private school sponsors of the

National School Lunch Program will utilize COMPASS for direct certification and verification purposes.

Documents

Pat Birkenshaw