A Place at the Table WebinarHosted by

National Law Center on Homelessness & Povertyand National Coalition for the Homeless

Presentation by Ellen Vollinger

Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)December 16, 2010

Federal Nutrition Safety Net

SNAP/Food StampsSchool Breakfast and School LunchPreschool and Afterschool Meals and SnacksSummer NutritionWICTEFAPSee http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/

State and Local Officials Partner on Federal Nutrition Safety Net

NCSLhttp://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16338

APHSAhttp://foodstamp.aphsa.org/

NLChttp://www.nlc.org/IYEF/fes/working_families/index.aspx

USCMhttp://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/SodexoUSCMPressReleaseFINAL113010.pdf

SNAP/Food Stamps Eligibility

Fixed address not neededIdentity and VerificationInstitutional ContextState Option for Homelessness Shelter Expense DeductionSee http://www.wtls.org/images/Food_Stamp_Images/SNAP%20Homeless%20Eng.pdf

SNAP Outreach to Homeless Persons

http://www.wtls.org/images/Food_Stamp_Images/SNAP%20Homeless%20Eng.pdf

Funding SNAP Outreach

Competitive Grants and 50/50 Reimbursement Funds

FRAC’s SNAP Outreach and Access Toolkit:

http://frac.org/snapfood-stamps-outreach-and-access-toolkit/

SNAP/Food Stamps Help Community

Each $1 in federal SNAP/Food Stamps benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity.Homeless persons can use SNAP EBT cards to purchase food from most grocery retailers, many farmers’ markets, and some restaurants.

SNAP/Food Stamps Restaurant Meal Program

SNAP/Food Stamps Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) allows homeless persons, persons aged 60 and above, and persons with disabilities to use their SNAP/Food Stamps benefits to purchase hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants.Former FRAC Hunger Fellow Danny Burke has researched rules, model practices, and strategies for utilizing RMP for a forthcoming FRAC report. These slides draw from that research.

Background on Restaurant Meal Program

The Food Stamp Act has long recognized that certain populations lack access to cooking facilities.In 1990 the Act added homeless people to the categories that could use their Food Stamps (now SNAP) to buy prepared meals at for-profit restaurants. Nonetheless, RMP is only operating in a handful of states and represents a miniscule percentage SNAP/Food Stamps redemptions. In early 2010, RMP was operating in CA, AZ, MI.

Getting Restaurants into RMP

State agencies have option to run RMP.If so, state notifies USDA and drafts an MOU with restaurant which completes application.Restaurants cannot charge sales tax on RMP meals and must offer RMP customers “low-cost” meals.

Identifying RMP Clients at POS

Recent technology solution, where adopted, obviates need for extra ID.Automated Eligibility Indicator (AEI), operated by J.P. Morgan Chase and Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), determines if client is RMP eligible when his/her EBT card is swiped.AEI relies on SNAP/Food Stamps eligibility process information (caseworker should collect info on RMP eligibility in application; otherwise client later contacts caseworker asking to get EBT card coded properly).

Lessons Learned for RMP

Let states, restaurants, clients and advocates know about RPM.Get sufficient restaurant participation, especially before launch.Consider revising RMP application to make more user friendly to restaurants.Give hands-on guidance to restaurants.Offer specific signage.

Opportunities RMP Brings

Additional redemption options for clients to obtain mealsIncreasing number and type of stakeholders in support of SNAP/Food Stamps, especially for homeless population Alternatives to Food Sharing RestrictionsIncreasing SNAP/Food Stamps participation by vulnerable populations and generating local economic activity

More RPM Info and Coverage

http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/restaurant_meals/RMP_FAQ.cfm http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/02/17/am-ebt/

Watch for forthcoming FRAC report on RMPFor assistance in reaching out on RMP, cnntact evollinger@frac.org

McKinney-Vento Act requires every school district to designate a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth. Liaisons ensure children receive educational and other services for which they are eligible, including free school meals. Local educational agency liaisons, homeless or domestic violence shelter directors and RHYA service providers may provide documentation that children are homeless or runaway to school food service directors or other officials who determine school meal eligibility.http://frac.org/eligibility-for-homeless-runaway-and-migrant-children/

School Meals for Homeless and Runaway Students

School Meals for Full School Year

A student certified as eligible for free meals, based on designation as homeless, runaway or migrant by a local educational agency liaison, homeless or domestic violence shelter director, RHYA service provider or MEP coordinator, remains eligible for the remainder of the school year and up to 30 days into the next school year. This policy holds even if children or youth move into permanent housing and are no longer homeless, migrant, or served by RHYA programs.http://frac.org/eligibility-for-homeless-runaway-and-migrant-children/

Homeless Children Receive Free School Meals

Homeless children are “categorically eligible” for free school meals--they do not have to complete a paper application. Under McKinney-Vento Act, a “homeless” child for school meals purposes is one “lacking an adequate regular nighttime residence.” E.g., children in families sharing housing with other families; living in motels or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; living in emergency or transitional shelters; awaiting foster care placement; living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

Practices and Resources Re: School Meals

States should assure school districts adopt the following practices:•Connect and build communication between school nutrition program and homeless education program. •Establish clear procedures for teachers to report on children’s status, Teachers and all staff should know definition of “homeless” and how to inform appropriate coordinator•Encourage households that take in homeless families to submit a school meal application for themselves, as increased household size may make them newly eligible for free or reduced-price mealswww.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/migrant.htm

CACFP Help Shelters Feed Children

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can be source of funds for homeless shelters to feed children.Homeless and domestic violence shelters can receive reimbursements for up to three meals (or two meals and a snack) each day for children up to age 18. Through CACFP, shelters could receive up to $2,200 per child per year. CACFP reimbursements are federally funded; no state match is needed.

Help Shelters Draw Down CACFP Funds

•Outreach and technical assistance. CACFP state agency can place articles in newsletters distributed to shelter providers, speak at meetings of shelter providers or send targeted mailings.•Make CACFP user-friendly for shelters. According to a USDA, states should review CACFP requirements to ensure they do not place unnecessary administrative burdens on already overworked shelter staff and volunteers.www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/homeless/homeless_index.html www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/Regs-Policy/policymemo/2007-2009/CACFP_11-2007.pdf

2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization (S. 3307)

http://frac.org/highlights-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act-of-2010/ http://frac.org/child-nutrition-reauthorization-eight-facts-you-need-to-know-now/ https://frac.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=6772

National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

• March 6-8, 2011• Washington, DC

• http://

www.antihungerpolicyconference.org/

Contact:Ellen VollingerFood Research and Action Center (FRAC)202-986-2200 x3016evollinger@frac.org www.frac.org

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