Sponsors and Meal Sites Sought for 2024 Summer Food Service Program

A program that targets children in low-income areas to ensure they have meals during the summer is seeking sponsors and meal sites for meal locations.   The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered in Delaware by the Department of Education (DDOE).  Sponsors are reimbursed for all meals served free at approved meal sites in low-income areas to children 18 years and under.

Who Can Participate?

  • Sponsors – Units of local government, camps, schools, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to operate SFSP as sponsors.
  • Meal sites – Individual sites, such as camps, housing complexes, community centers, parks and homes are eligible to operate a SFSP as a site under a sponsor.   The sponsor would prepare and deliver the meals to the site (some locations may be served by a food truck, depending on availability).   An adult at the site is required to be the site supervisor to oversee the meals being served.
  • Children – Children 18 and under may receive free meals and snacks through the SFSP. Meals and snacks also are available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs.

Sponsors and sites will receive training to help them operate a successful program and will have continued support from the Delaware Department of Education throughout the course of the program.  All sponsors and sites must agree to serve meals to all children regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, or disability.

Eligibility for SFSP is based on free and reduced lunch data for a school for a particular area. To qualify as an open site that can feed all children, the site must be in an area where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch.  In addition, camps and enrolled programs may qualify based on individual income eligibility. The current income eligibility guidelines are as follows:

 

FOR USE BY SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR REDUCED PRICE MEALS

Effective Date July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART for School Year 2023 – 2024
Household size Yearly Monthly Weekly
1 $26,973 $2,248 $519
2 $36,482 $3,041 $702
3 $45,991 $3,833 $885
4 $55,500 $4,625 $1,068
5 $65,009 $5,418 $1,251
6 $74,518 $6,210 $1,434
7 $84,027 $7,003 $1,616
8 $93,536 $7,795 $1,799
Each additional person: $9,509 $793 $183

$129

Conversion Factors: Conversion is required if there are multiple income sources with more than one frequency (Example: a ‘monthly’ Social Security check and a ‘weekly’ wage stub), the participating agency must annualize all income by multiplying: Weekly income by 52; Bi-weekly income (received every two weeks) by 26; Semi-monthly income (received twice a month) by 24; Monthly income by 12.

For information on becoming a SFSP sponsor or site, or to locate a sponsored site in your area, call (302) 857-3356 or visit: http://www.doe.k12.de.us and search “Summer Food Service Program.”

                                                                                                                                                               

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Summer Experiences Benefit Every Student

The following guest column was written by Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick.

 

One of the greatest gifts of education is that it exposes students to new perspectives and ideas. Through education, children get more opportunities to hone in on their likes and dislikes, gain a greater understanding of their world, and eventually determine and work toward the future they most prefer. Traditional education typically occurs in – though sometimes even in outdoor – classrooms. But educators and families know full well that all experiences educate, and even non-academic experiences can significantly impact a student’s academic success.

 

Keeping kids active and curious over summer is especially important during the long break in public education. In summer, it’s easy for students to lose some of the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired throughout the school year. The term for this is “summer slide,” and the Delaware Department of Education works hard alongside districts, charter schools, Delaware agencies and community partners to develop initiatives and resources that keep students from falling behind during this critical period.

 

The Governor’s Summer Fellowship is one example of how Delaware comes together to empower students across the state. Through hands-on, paid work opportunities at summer camps in each county, on-site mentoring and also networking opportunities with state leaders, students gain on-the-job experience, remain active while school is on break and develop a deeper understanding of education, government and their communities. Delaware high school students can apply for the Governor’s Fellowship program each fall of their junior and senior years.

 

The Governor’s Summer Learning Resources website is another resource that helps minimize learning loss by giving families information about programs – both private and public – across the state that are designed to promote academics as well as other beneficial opportunities, such as taekwondo and art camp.

 

Delaware benefits from offering these types resources, of course, because positive out-of-school experiences can encourage personal exploration and career development, nurture interpersonal and civic engagement, and lay the groundwork for navigating diverse and even challenging situations. But positive summer experiences of any kind also greatly elevate a student’s future aptitude and self-worth.

 

As a state, we often talk about the non-academic benefits of early learning, but we must continue prioritizing year-round, non-academic learning for all ages as well. And just like a usual school year, we must continue our commitment to equity, partnerships and even scholarships in our summer learning approach so that these types of valuable experiences continue to be made available to all students.

 

By addressing summer slide in Delaware, students will have even more chances to define and attain their own version of personal success. As a state, we must continue to work together to support and expand both academic and non-academic summer programs so students can shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

 

Read all updates from Secretary Mark Holodick.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Sponsors, Meal Sites Sought for 2023 Summer Food Service Program

A program that targets children in low-income areas to ensure they have meals during the summer is seeking sponsors and meal sites for meal locations.   The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered in Delaware by the Department of Education (DDOE).  Sponsors are reimbursed for all meals served free at approved meal sites in low-income areas to children 18 years and under.

 Who Can Participate?

  • Sponsors – Units of local government, camps, schools, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to operate a SFSP as sponsors.
  • Meal sites – Individual sites, such as camps, housing complexes, community centers, parks and homes are eligible to operate a SFSP as a site under a sponsor. The sponsor would prepare and deliver the meals to the site (some locations may be served by a food truck, depending on availability).   An adult at the site would be required to be the site supervisor to oversee the meals being served.
  • Children – Children 18 and under may receive free meals and snacks through the SFSP.

(Meals and snacks also are available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs.)

Sponsors and sites will receive training to help them operate a successful program and will have continued support from the Delaware Department of Education throughout the course of the program.  All sponsors and sites must agree to serve meals to all children regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Eligibility for SFSP is based on free and reduced lunch data for a school for a particular area. To qualify as an open site that can feed all children, the site must be in an area where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch.  In addition, camps and enrolled programs may qualify based on individual income eligibility. The current eligibility guidelines are as follows:

 

FOR USE BY SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR REDUCED PRICE MEALS

Effective Date July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART for School Year 2022 – 2023
Household size Yearly Monthly Weekly
1 $25,142 $2,096 $484
2 $33,874 $2,823 $652
3 $42,606 $3,551 $820
4 $51,338 $4,279 $988
5 $60,070 $5,006 $1,156
6 $68,802 $5,734 $1,324
7 $77,534 $6,462 $1,492
8 $86,266 $7,189 $1,659
Each additional person: $8,732 $728 $168

Conversion Factors: Conversion is required if there are multiple income sources with more than one frequency (Example: a ‘monthly’ Social Security check and a ‘weekly’ wage stub), the participating agency must annualize all income by multiplying: Weekly income by 52; Bi-weekly income (received every two weeks) by 26; Semi-monthly income (received twice a month) by 24; Monthly income by 12

For information on becoming a SFSP sponsor or site, or to locate a sponsored site in your area, call (302) 857-3356 or visit: http://www.doe.k12.de.us and search “Summer Food Service Program.”

                                                                                                                                                               

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.


Summer of Opportunity

By Delaware Education Secretary Mark A. Holodick, Ed.D.

 

Education has seen many challenges over the past two years.  Students and families have had to deal with interrupted learning due to the pandemic as well as limited access to summer programming.  According to independent studies and student achievement data, this has resulted in notable learning deficits among many of our youth.  Some people call those deficits learning loss.  Some call it unfinished learning.  Regardless, the effects are evident, and we, as a state, are working diligently to do something about it.  The Department of Education has been working in tandem with individual school districts and charter schools to ensure that summer learning plans are in place throughout the state.

 

Recognizing that all students, especially disadvantaged students, have been adversely affected by the pandemic, these plans are in place to provide opportunities for robust learning to continue to occur at scale throughout the summer.   We at the department have coined this summer, the Summer of Opportunity.  We want students to continue to stay involved with one another and supported by skilled individuals, so that they continue to grow and thrive while waiting for the 2022-2023 academic year to begin.  This means, regardless of a child’s zip code, all students will have the opportunity to participate in a summer program that is interesting, exciting, and helps them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.  This year’s summer programs, as always, will focus on literacy and mathematics but there will also be various opportunities for students to experience activities that they may not have had access to previously.  Those activities may include drama, the playing of an instrument, art classes, dance, and more.  They may also include the use of local resources such as our state and national parks where there are opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming.  As a state, we hope to effectively address students’ academic and social and emotional learning in an authentic manner, allowing for as much flexibility as possible regarding pace, selection of material, content, topics, and student voice and decision-making around what interests and inspires them.   And we have all come to realize that kids being engaged and involved is not only good for personal growth but also mental health and well-being.

 

Measuring student progress is challenging, especially during the summer months when children are accessing different programs and activities.  For some students and families, a half day program works better than a full day program and vice versa.  Some students will attend summer programs that exposes them to a lot of different content, topics, materials, and experiences while other may choose to focus on a particular topic, subject, or skill.  Providing children and families with many options is a good thing.  However, the greater the differential in programing the more challenging it is to measure growth.  Thus, the Department of Education is working with partners to measure growth in specific summer programs using both qualitative and quantitative data.  In doing so, we can determine what programs had not only the high participation rates but also produced the strongest results.

 

While planning for The Summer of Opportunity, we heard from our districts and charter schools as well as our community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations that their greatest hurdle is staffing.  Finding committed and well-trained staff to work with young people is a real challenge right now.  We brought this challenge to the Governor’s Family Services Cabinet Council and brainstormed ways in which this could be addressed.  The answer is the creation of the Governor’s Summer Fellowship program.  High school students, especially those who are currently enrolled in the state’s Teacher Academy Pathway, are being identified and trained to support these summer programs in paid positions.  The Workforce Support Team at the Department of Education, the Governor’s Office, the United Way, other community partners, and our schools and districts have worked collaboratively to launch this initiative in short time.  In fact, we have already had more than 100 high school students in our three counties apply to take part.  All selected students will go through a full week of training in preparation for placement into summer programs in their communities.

 

While we all want for the upcoming summer to be back to normal and resemble the summers of the past, we must also recognize the opportunity that sits before us: an opportunity for our state to provide as many meaningful and exciting opportunities for growth as possible for our young learners, especially those who have historically been left out in the past.  A focused effort steeped in a lens of equity and access is exactly what’s needed as we move from pandemic to endemic and prepare for what will be a strong and more productive 2022-23 school year.

 

Find a searchable database of school and community-based partner summer offerings at de.gov/summerlearning.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


New Website Helps Families Find Summer Opportunities for Their Children

The Delaware Department of Education today launched its Summer of Opportunity website, a searchable database to help families find school- and community-based learning opportunities for their children this summer.

The site, which allows users to toggle between map and table views, helps Delawareans find programs based on targeted grades, dates, location, cost, sponsoring organization and transportation options. Enrollment in some offerings, such as school-based programs, may only be open to specific populations, such as enrolled students, while others have open admission. The site collects the diverse offerings in one location to make it easier for families to navigate opportunities.

“We want every Delaware student to have enriching experiences this summer with opportunities for formal and informal learning,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “For one student that may mean attending science camp at a park, for another it may mean enrolling in a school program that integrates English language arts supports and sports and for a third it could be a series of day trips with family and friends to explore the rich offerings of our region. Most important is that our students are engaged in some sort of learning and exploration this summer so they return to school in the fall ready to learn and succeed in the new school year. We hope this site helps families find such opportunities.”

Organizations that have not yet submitted their offerings and would like to be included should email Delaware.Department.of.Education@doe.k12.de.us.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006