Special Milk Program Eligibility Requirements and Civil Rights in Nebraska

USDAs Special Milk Program Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services

History of Special Milk Program (SMP) Started in 1955 with the purpose of providing milk to children in schools, childcare institutions, and summer camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition programs. The program reimburses sponsors for the milk they serve.

Eligibility Requirements for SMP Must be a recognized school, camp or nonprofit childcare. Must operate as a non-profit program with tax exempt status 501(c)(3) Participating students cannot have access to USDA breakfast or lunch programs

Eligibility Requirements for SMP Schools who participate in the school meals programs may claim milk served to half-day students only if those students do not have access to school meals.

Other Requirements for SMP Participating sponsors must comply with civil rights laws Participating sponsors must have an adequate Point of Service (POS) counting system Participating sponsors must secure milk supplies through open and free competition

Civil Rights May not restrict enrollment based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age

Civil Rights And Justice For All Posters https://www.education.ne.gov/ns

Civil Rights SMP Sponsors and staff must complete civil rights training annually. Civil Rights Nebraska Department of Education

Civil Rights: Special Diets determined by a licensed physician schools must provide a substitute beverage as prescribed by the physician without additional cost to the student. If a child has a documented milk allergy as

Civil Rights: Special Diets If a child has a milk intolerance schools may provide lactose free milk or a milk substitute. If the school chooses to provide a milk substitute, the school must ensure that it is nutritionally equivalent to cow s milk.

Civil Rights Special Diets Request for Meal Accommodation Forms Medical Statements List of acceptable milk substitutes Information on Special Dietary Needs https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms- resources/national-school-lunch-program/special-diets- 2/

SMP Options Pricing plan Pricing plan with free milk option Non-pricing Plan

Pricing Plan Milk is sold to all children with the reimbursement utilized to keep the cost to students low pint price should reflect the difference between federal reimbursements and cost to operate the program

Pricing Plan Example Dairy Cost .41 (per pint) Admin/supply + .05 Program cost .46 Less reimbursement - .265 Student cost for milk .20

Pricing Plan with Free Milk Option Sponsors may opt to provide milk at no charge to students who qualify for free milk benefits. Sponsors are reimbursed at the normal reimbursement rate for children who pay and at the net dairy cost for children who qualify for free milk benefits

Public Release Public release statement - The public notification requirement for the SMP is completed by the Nebraska Department of Education

Applications for Free Milk Schools must distribute application to all students who attend school Must be completed by parent and determined by school official All materials may be downloaded at: https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms-resources/national-school- lunch-program/application-income-eligibility/

Protection from overt identification Must provide a payment option that does not overtly identify students who are receiving free milk Must provide daily accountability of milk consumption utilizing a method that does not overtly identify students receiving free milk

Non-Pricing Plan Children are not charged for milk. The cost is covered through tuition or boarding fees or general funds. Reimbursement is based on current year s federal reimbursement rate

Point of Service (POS) Milk must be counted and documented at the time the child receives the milk. For Milk Only Sponsors, children may receive more than one milk per child May not include adult milks or milks used for cooking, class projects etc.

Recordkeeping Requirements Daily participation records Free Milk applications Financial accountability Monthly Claims Purchasing documents Civil Rights Special Diets/Disabilities Civil Rights training documentation Refrigeration and Milk Temperature Logs Must retain all required documents for 3 years plus the current school year

Daily Participation Records Teacher checklist/student roster Must provide accurate and acceptable Point of Service (POS) count as each student receives the milk. May not be based on dairy invoices, paid milk receipts, or attendance lists

Financial Accountability All funds must be used to support SMP Fund balance cannot exceed 3 months operating costs Funds must be shown as separate line item or ledger entry in bookkeeping system Excess funds may not be transferred to general fund

Monthly Claims Submitted online at: https://nutrition.education.ne.gov/ Must be submitted within 60 calendar days of claim month Must be submitted from accurate and acceptable POS system

Food Safety and temperature safe environment - 41 F or lower. SMP only schools must provide milk storage facilities to ensure that milk is kept in a sanitary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) must be implemented to ensure the quality and safety of the milk being served. SOPs may be found here: SMP-Standard- Operating-Procedures.pdf

Temperature Logs Milk Program Must keep a daily temperature log for any refrigerator or cooler that is used for the Special Must keep on file for 1 year plus the current school year. Prototype Logs: http://www.education.ne.gov/ns/NSLP/HACCP/TempL ogs/Refrig.pdf

Other things schools need to know about the SMP programs and special milk program must have 2 sanitation inspections each year. Schools who participate in school meals Schools are subject to an administrative review once every five years. All SMP materials are available on the NS website: Special Milk Program Nebraska Department of Education

If you have more questions. Please contact: Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services education.ne.gov/contact-us/ (402) 471-2488, (800) 731-2233 Beth Hass, Nutrition Services Specialist beth.hass@nebraska.gov 402.417.3324

Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD- 3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.