Community Eligibility Provision: Department of Education Title I Guidance

Community Eligibility Provision: Department of Education Title I Guidance is a 30-page legal document that was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on January 31, 2014 and used nation-wide.

FAQ

Q: What is the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a program that allows high-poverty schools to provide free meals to all students without requiring individual applications.

Q: What is the purpose of the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: The purpose of the CEP is to increase access to nutritious meals for students in high-poverty areas.

Q: Which schools are eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: Schools with a high percentage of eligible students, as determined by school meal data or other data sources, can participate in the CEP.

Q: How does the Community Eligibility Provision work?
A: Under the CEP, eligible schools provide free meals to all students, regardless of income. This eliminates the need for individual meal applications and reduces administrative burdens.

Q: Is the Community Eligibility Provision funded by the federal government?
A: Yes, the CEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Q: What are the benefits of the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: The benefits of the CEP include increased access to nutritious meals for students, reduced stigma associated with receiving free meals, and simplified meal service operations for schools.

Q: Are there any drawbacks to the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: Some potential drawbacks include the need for schools to demonstrate a certain level of need to qualify, potential impact on other federal funding based on free and reduced-price meal data, and limited reimbursement for non-meal program expenses.

Q: Does participation in the Community Eligibility Provision affect other federal funding for schools?
A: Participation in the CEP may affect funding formulas that use free and reduced-price meal data, such as Title I funding from the Department of Education.

Q: How can schools apply for the Community Eligibility Provision?
A: Schools interested in participating in the CEP should contact their state agency responsible for administering the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for application information.

Q: Is the Community Eligibility Provision available in all states?
A: Yes, the CEP is available in all states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.