HPS to renew CEP for schools

HOPE – The Hope Public Schools will continue to participate in the federal program through which breakfast and lunch meals are provided free to all students.

HPS Director of Child Nutrition Services Deanna Gilbert said the renewal is for the 2020-2021 school year. Gilbert said the notice to the USDA stipulates the participation of all HPS campuses in the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program through the USDA Special Assistance Certification and Reimbursement Community Eligibility Provision.

Participation is based upon the eligibility percentage among the student population for receipt of free or reduced meals through USDA. Meals are provided at no charge to students, but all adults, including visitors, teachers, administrators, and support staff are charged $4 per meal for breakfast and $4 per meal for lunch.

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity,” the notice states. “Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.”

Program information may be made available in languages other than English where warranted, and persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information should contact state or local agencies administering the program. Alternatives include use of Braille, large print, audiotape, and American sign language.

The USDA Target Center at 202-720-2600 and USDA Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 may be contacted as well, the statement notes.

USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form AD-3027 should be filed by anyone wishing to make such complaint. The form is available at www.ascr.usda.gov online, or from any USDA office by calling 866-632-9992, or by US Postal mail; and, when completed should be mailed to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410.

Complaint letters should contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail for a determination to be made by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.