Findlay Schools announce free meals policy

Findlay City Schools has announced the policy for free student meals and a separate policy for free healthcare based on free meal eligibility for the 2023-24 school year. Free meals are available for students unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast program. Eligibility will be for children of families at or below the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines, found online at www.fns.usda.gov/cn/income-eligibility-guidelines Hard copy applications, as well as copies of the policy for the 2023-24 school year will be made available upon request from the principal's office of each FCS school. Digital copies can be obtained through Final Forms or through Findlay City Schools' website. Households currently receiving Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits or Ohio Works First funds for a child must provide the child's name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application. Households that do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the SSN of the adult signing the application or state "none" if the adult does not have a SSN, the amount and source of income received by each household member, (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member. If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application. Applications must be filled out and returned to the school. Healthcare Also available for families with children eligible for school meals is possible free health care coverage through Medicaid or Ohio's Healthy Start and Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility, and may be verified at any time during the school year by a school or program official. Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. Food Service Director Teresa Welty will review applications and determine eligibility. Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from Krista Miller at 419-425-8202. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services. Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household's income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information. For more information or to request and application, call 1-800-324-8680. More information also is available online at visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm