10/23/2014

Direct Certification 101Gilberto Requena !

ESC 1 FNP Specialist !

grequena@esc1.net!

956 984-6108

ESC Region 1 !

Food & Nutrition Program !

2014 Administrative Conference!

South Padre Island, TX

You understand and acknowledge that:!! The training you are about to take does not cover

the entire scope of the program; and that !! You are responsible for knowing and understanding

all handbooks, manuals, alerts, notices and guidance, as well as any other forms of communication that provide further guidance, clarification or instruction on operating the program.!

Objectives

Direct Certification Overview!

Identify key concepts of Direct Certification !

Explore Program Resources & Technical Support !

Avoid Confusion

Defined

✤ Direct Certification !

Simplified method of determining student’s eligibility for free meals. !

Students who are participants of SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR.!

Increases access to school meals. !

Decreases burden on families and district staff by limiting paperwork.

History of Direct Certification & Matching

Texas has conducted DC since the early 1990’s.!

In the beginning TEA conducted matching annually.!

In 2004, legislative changes required TDA assume responsibility for matching.

How does DC affect my program?

!

!

!

!

!

Special Provisions Match !

Due November 15!Annual Reporting Requirements in TXUNPS!

From March 1 - March 20 !

Standard Application Provision 2

Community Eligibility Provision

How does DC affect my program?

1. Students automatic eligible to receive free meal benefits.!

2. Direct Certification not subject to verification process.

Standard Application

How does DC affect my program?

!

1. Provision 2 renewal !

2. DC data is one of the pre-approved data sources for assessing the social economic status of the district.

Provision 2

How does DC affect my program?

!

1. Direct Certification directly tied to Identified Student Percentage (ISP)!

2. Reimbursement percentage.

Community Eligibility Provision

Direct Certification & Matching

Texas conducts direct certification by:!

Matching school enrollment data from: !

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program !

SNAP !

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families!

TANF !

Other programs that confer categorically eligibility

01

Direct Certification Matching Process

DC data distribution

TEA matches enrollment data with HHSC data monthly!

SNAP and TANF data are updated monthly!

Enrollment data is updated Annually each spring and presents a snapshot of enrollment from the previous October.!

TDA splits the state list into district-specific list!

State Matched & Unmatched

Direct Certification List

Direct Certification Data Two Reports

State Level List

CE Level List

How do we obtain CE Level List?

Beginning in SY 2013-2014 TDA made unmatched lists available. !

The Purpose: identify additional matches. !

TX-UNPS DC Module.!

CE Level Matches.

01

CE Level Matches

Importance to School District

✤ District uses Direct Certification lists for:!

Economically disadvantage coding !

TEA Memo: Reporting Requirements for Economic Disadvantage Code!

CEP enrolled districts !

TEA Memo: 2015-2016 State Compensatory Education Funding and Implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision

1. Complex CE Level Matching Process.!

2. Keep Data Confidential.!

3. Enrollment Updated Annually.

Challenges

Overcoming Challenges

Direct Certification Resources

System Design POS Support

ESC Region 1 Support

1. On Site Technical Assistance !

2. DC Match Lab !

3. ?…we are here to help you :)

Presentation Resources !

http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ops/NSLPDirectCertificationImprovement.pdf !

http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyamp;ARM.aspx!

http://www.squaremeals.org/FandNResources/TXUNPSProgramResources/TXUNPSResourcesforSNP.aspx

The  Texas  Department  of  Agriculture’s  Food  and  Nutrition  Division  is  funded  by  the  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Food  and  Nutrition  Service.      

The  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture  prohibits  discrimination  against  its  customers,  employees,  and  applicants  for  employment  on  the  bases  of  race,  color,  national  origin,  age,  disability,  sex,  gender  identity,  religion,  reprisal,  and  where  applicable,  political  beliefs,  marital  status,  familial  or  parental  status,  sexual  orientation,  or  all  or  part  of  an  individual’s  income  is  derived  from  any  public  assistance  program,  or  protected  genetic  

information  in  employment  or  in  any  program  or  activity  conducted  or  funded  by  the  Department.  (Not  all  prohibited  bases  will  apply  to  all  programs  and/or  employment  activities.)      

If  you  wish  to  file  a  Civil  Rights  program  complaint  of  discrimination,  complete  the  USDA  Program  Discrimination  Complaint  Form,  found  online  at  http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html,  or  at  any  USDA  office,  or  call    (866)  632-­‐9992  to  request  the  form.  You  may  also  write  a  letter  containing  all  of  the  information  requested  in  the  form.  Send  your  completed  complaint  form  or  letter  to  us  by  mail  at  U.S.  

Department  of  Agriculture,  Director,  Office  of  Adjudication,  1400  Independence  Avenue,  S.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20250-­‐9410,  by  fax  (202)  690-­‐7442  or  email  at  program.intake@usda.gov.      

Individuals  who  are  deaf,  hard  of  hearing  or  have  speech  disabilities  may  contact  USDA  through  the  Federal  Relay  Service  at  (800)  877-­‐8339;  or  (800)  845-­‐6136  (Spanish).      

USDA  is  an  equal  opportunity  provider  and  employer.  

!

Thank You!