Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

No, parents must complete a Household Economic Survey and Consent to Disclose form to apply for free and reduced fees. 

CEP only applies to Cooper, Oaklawn and Swaney Elementary. Families that also have students in other buildings will need to complete an income application if they are not directly certified. For example, a family with a student at Swaney and one at Derby Middle School would need to complete a meal application to receive free or reduced benefits for their child at Derby Middle School.

Each student at Cooper, Oaklawn and Swaney are eligible for one free breakfast and one free lunch per school day.

CEP provides free breakfast and lunch but does not provide a carton of milk at zero price if it is not included in a complete meal. For example, students who bring a sack lunch and want milk will need to pay $.50 for the carton or get a free lunch.

Students are required to take three of the five food groups offered (one must be a fruit or vegetable). For example, if the menu is pizza, garlic bread, tossed salad, fresh fruit, and milk, a student could choose a slice of pizza (grain and protein) and an apple (fruit). A student may bring any other food they want to supplement their school meal. Another example is a menu that has chili, Fritos, tossed salad, fresh fruit, and cinnamon bread. A student may pack a turkey sandwich and get a tray with Fritos, fresh fruit, and milk.

Once a school is approved for CEP it may participate in the program for four consecutive years without having to reapply. Direct Certification numbers will be reevaluated annually.

Funds that are currently in Swaney students’ lunch accounts will remain in the account unless a parent notifies the school that they want the funds moved. Lunch money may be transferred to pay fees, refunded by completing the Request for Refund form, or donated to the Community Assistance School Lunch Program Funds.