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USDA Guidance Increases Access to School Meals for Homeless Children

USDA recently issued a memo updating 1992 guidance on homeless children's participation in the school meals programs. This update brings the school meals programs in line with recent changes in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which expands eligibility for services to homeless children in the education system.

Updates Made in Guidance

USDA's definition of a homeless child has been updated to include not only children in shelters, but also a child whose family is "doubled up" with another family because of loss of housing, children living in motels or campgrounds because of lack of adequate housing, and children awaiting foster care placement. The USDA guidance allows school officials to determine a homeless child eligible for free school meals based on documentation from the local educational agency liaison, principal or homeless shelter director that the child is homeless. This documentation is in lieu of a free and reduced price meal application usually submitted by the child's parent or guardian.

Resources for Families

The USDA guidance encourages State agencies and school food authorities to work with the liaison to expedite benefits to homeless children. The changes in the guidance mean that many more children will be eligible for free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches.

Brochures

There are two versions of a brochure that can be used to get the word out to parents that are available here. One has a space to add the contact information for your school district, while the other version does not have this blank space. Both are available as PDF documents below:

Brochure with space for local contact information

Brochure with national contact information

Fact Sheet

Sample Newsletter Article for Parents About Free School Meals

FRAC would like to thank the advisory council of homeless and domestic violence organizations that provided assistance and guidance on these issues. These organizations are an excellent resource on homeless children, homeless children's education, and the needs of children in families that are fleeing domestic violence.

Juley Fulcher, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Barbara Duffield, National Coalition for the Homeless
Patricia Julianelle, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
Kim Pentico, National Network to End Domestic Violence
Christine Fall, Volunteers of America