The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (the Act), Public Law 111-296, provides categorical eligibility for free school meals for students in foster care. The Act certifies students in foster care as categorically eligible for free school meals without submission of a free and reduced-price household application. The Children’s Division will need to provide the school, or other institution administering a USDA child nutrition program, documentation indicating the child is in foster care and is in the legal custody of Children’s Division.    

The Educational Enrollment Letter (CD-179) can be used as documentation to certify a foster child categorically eligible for free school meals without submission of a free and reduced-price household application,

Related Practice Alerts and Memos:

8-6-19 – PP19 CM-02 – Collaboration with Schools to Support Foster Care Students