NORTH ROBINSON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Colonel Crawford Local Schools today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs for the 2024-2025 school year. The policy is available for review at each school office and the central office.
The State of Ohio’s budget for the 2024-2025 school year includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals for breakfast and lunch, allowing schools to provide no-cost meals to students eligible for reduced-price meals.
Eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is determined by the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Children from families with an annual income at or below these guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk Program.
Application forms will be distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for benefits, households should complete an application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required, including the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application, the amount and source of income received by each household member, and the signature of an adult household member. Households receiving Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number, and the signature of an adult household member.
Families with children eligible for school meals may also qualify for free health care coverage through Medicaid and Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs cover doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse, and more. For more information or to request an application, call 1-800-324-8680 or visit Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The information provided on the application is confidential and will only be used to determine eligibility. Applications are subject to verification at any time during the school year. Misrepresentation of information may result in prosecution under state and federal laws.
Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits. Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of household income. For more information, contact the school.
April Bond, Principal, will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians who disagree with the decision may discuss it informally with the determining official or request a formal appeal for a fair hearing.