Application for the Community Eligibility Provision

Answer: CEP will not impact the total amount of Title 1 funding received at the district level. However, it may impact the distribution percentages for funding received at the campus level.

  
Question: Can a district include a mix of P2 and CEP campuses?

Answer: Yes; however, if a district is currently utilizing group percentages for P2 sites and a portion of those sites switch to CEP sites, the district must re-establish their base year for the remaining P2 sites.

Question: Isn’t it easier to stay on P2 since you don’t have to establish new claiming percentages?

Answer: The unique circumstances for each CE will determine it is easier to stay on P2 or shift to CEP. In making that determination CEs should consider the following issues. All CEs are required to report CEP data each year whether they are CEP, P2, or use standard pricing. P2 schools must also re-establish their base year or use approved data to ensure the economic situation within the community has not changed significantly every 4 years. CEs should also consider that high need schools may receive a higher amount of reimbursement under CEP than they would under P2

Question: Are funds outside of federal funds required to operate NSLP and SBP while on CEP?

Answer: SFAs will be reimbursed at the free reimbursement rate for the number of identified students * 1.6. The remaining percentage of students will be reimbursed at the paid rate. Federal reimbursement received may be used to cover all allowable costs associated with the Child Nutrition Program at the SFA. If the federal funds received are not sufficient to cover the costs at the SFA, the district must use non-federal funds to cover any remaining costs incurred.

Question: Are campuses that offer a half day kindergarten or half-day program that has different students attending the morning and afternoon tracks eligible to participate in CEP?

Answer: Yes, campuses that offer both School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program are eligible to participate in CEP, even if that campus includes students who are in attendance for and have access  to only one meal service during their regular attendance day, i.e., breakfast for the morning track or lunch for the afternoon track as long as students are not in attendance when the other meal is served.

Question: Are pre-kindergarten or half-day program students included in the number of identified students for CEP?

Answer: Students who are certified as eligible for free meals without a household application and who are enrolled in and attending a school operating CEP with access to at least one meal service daily may be included in the number of identified students. This includes programs for very young children such as Head Start or programs for older students such as off-campus work experience or attendance for off-campus college courses.

Additional Resources for the Community Eligibility Program
Below are some resources to help you determine whether CEP may be a good option for your school. Additional materials are forthcoming.
 

USDA Resources

• Community Eligibility Provision Final Rule
• USDA CEP Resource Center