Understanding USDA S Special Milk Program

1. Understanding USDA�S Special Milk Program Loriann Knapton, DTR, SNS Child Nutrition Consultant 2007-2008 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs

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

3. Eligibility Requirements for Schools Must be a recognized school Must operate as a non profit program with tax exempt status � 501(c)(3) Participating students can not have access to school breakfast or lunch programs

4. In other words�. Schools who participate in the school meals programs may claim half-day students under the SMP only if those students do not have access to other school meals. Schools who do not participate in other school meals programs may claim all milk consumed by children under the SMP.

5. Other requirements Participating schools must comply with Civil Rights laws. Participating schools must have an adequate Point of Service (POS) counting system Participating schools must develop and adopt a school Wellness Policy Participating schools must secure milk supplies through open and free competition

6. Civil Rights May not restrict enrollment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. And Justice For All Posters

7. Point of Service (POS) Milks must be counted and documented at the time the child receives it. Must provide protection from overt identification May include more than one milk per child May not include adult milks or milks used for cooking, class projects etc.

8. Wellness Policy Required under USDA�s Reauthorization of the child nutrition programs 2004 Developed by a committee Needs to address the total school environment Intended to be a working document with changes and revisions adopted as needed.

9. SMP options Pricing plan Pricing plan with free milk option Non pricing Plan

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

11. For example The reimbursement rate for the 2007-2008 school year is .17 per half pint. If the dairy cost for your school is .25 cents per � pint and administrative/supply costs to operate the SMP are .05 cents per half pint, the cost to children for milk should be approximately .13 cents per � pint of milk. Dairy Cost .25 (per � pint) Admin/supply .05 Program cost .30 Less reimbursement - .17 Student cost for milk .13

12. Pricing Plan with the Free Milk Option Schools may opt to provide milk at no charge to students who qualify for free/reduced priced milk benefits Schools 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.

13. Free Milk Option Requirements Public release statement Applications for free milk Protection from overt identification

14. Public Release Submitted each year Community publication Are not required to pay to have it published Grassroots distribution Community sites Libraries, food pantries, WIC offices

15. Applications for Free Milk Must be completed by parent and determined by school official Based on income, food share or W-2 cash benefits Must include social security number of household adult if they have one All Materials may be downloaded at: www.dpi.wi.gov/fns/milk1.html

16. 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

17. Non Pricing Plan Children are not charged for milk. (The cost may be covered through tuition or boarding fees) Reimbursement is based on current year�s federal reimbursement rate. ( .17 for school year 2007-2008)

18. Recordkeeping Requirements Contracts Daily participation records Financial accountability Monthly Claims Purchasing Civil Rights � Disabilities

19. Special Milk Contract Updated each year Includes accountability procedures and pricing option Signed by school official Schools that participate in NSLP complete their contract on line

20. Daily Participation Records Teacher checklist/ student roster Prototype available online at: www.dpi.wi.gov/fns/milk1.html Must provide accurate and acceptable Point of Service (POS) count May not be based on dairy invoices, paid milk receipts, or attendance lists.

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

22. Monthly Claims Submitted online at www.dpi.wi.gov/fns/index.html Must be submitted within 60 calendar days of claim month Must be submitted from accurate and acceptable POS system.

23. Purchasing requirements Must practice free and open competition Contracts exceeding $100,000.00 require formal bid Price quotes and bids must be documented.

24. Civil Rights �And Justice for All� poster must be on display in public area near milk service areas. Schools utilizing the �free milk� option, must not overtly identify children receiving free milk benefits Students with documented disabilities must be offered a milk substitute as prescribed by a physician School agency must not restrict enrollment by race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability as outlined by federal law. Non discrimination statement including complaint filing information must appear on all materials related to the SMP.

25. Children with Disabilities If the child has a documented disability as 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 milk intolerance schools may provide 100% juice and be reimbursed for it if a note signed by a physician is on file at the school. Schools are not required and may not claim for reimbursement substitutions for milk without prior documentation from the child�s physician.

26. Sanitation SMP only schools must provide milk storage facilities to ensure that milk is kept in a sanitary and temperature safe environment Schools who also participate in NSLP are required to have at least 2 sanitation inspections each year. The results of the inspections must be posted in a public area.

27. Other things schools need to know about the SMP� Schools are subjected to an on site review of the SMP every 5 years. All SMP materials including application materials, are available on the DPI website www.dpi.wi.gov/fns/index.html. �And Justice for All� posters are available by contacting the DPI School Nutrition Team.

28. If you have more questions�. You may contact: Loriann Knapton, DTR, SNS Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Team P.O. Box 7841 Madison WI, 53707-7841 Phone: 608-266-1046 Email address: loriann.knapton@dpi.state.wi.us