XENIA — Greene County Career Center announced July 11 its 2017-2018 program year policy for students unable to pay the full price of meals or milk.
Meal program
The policy lists .40 cents for lunch and .30 cents for breakfast served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. The school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
According to Greene County Career Center treasurer, the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the Federal Guidelines are eligible for free and/or reduced price meals.
Application forms are being distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office.
Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application.
The households that receive notification that their student has been “directly certified” should not complete a paper application. Their student or students will automatically receive the free breakfast and lunch. If a student attending the school within the household is not listed on the notice, contact the school office. The household must notify the school if they choose to decline the benefit.
Households which do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members and other detailed information.
Health care
Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Call 800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application or visit http://bit.ly/2sQmqXS. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.
Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits.
Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals, contact the school for more information.
Under the provision of the policy, Treasurer Eva Anderson and designee will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from Superintendent David Deskins.
Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.
For complete information, contact the Greene County Career Center.
