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Resource | Toolkits Tools for Schools

Tools for Schools offers topic-specific policy and resource materials to assist schools in meeting the new nutrition standards. Refer to the latest regulations, find free nutrition education curricula, or get ideas for adding tasty, kid-friendly foods to enhance your school meals program.

05/16/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Nutrition Standards for School Meals

This page contains regulations, policy memos, and other guidance materials relating to the nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

03/11/2022
Basic page 2018 Direct Certification Improvement Grant Summaries

2018 Direct Certification Improvement grant project summaries.

05/15/2018
Resource | Notices Comment Request - Evaluation of the Direct Certification With Medicaid for Free and Reduced-Price (DCM-F/RP) Meals Demonstrations

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the Evaluation of the Direct Certification with Medicaid for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Demonstrations.

02/24/2017
Resource | Grants Direct Certification Improvement Grant Summaries

Grant Summaries

11/23/2015
Resource | Research | Participation Rates Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program Report to Congress: State Implementation Progress, SY 2013-14

This report responds to the requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Direct certification is a process conducted by the states and by local educational agencies to certify eligible children for free meals without the need for household applications. 

05/01/2015
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations National School Lunch Program Direct Certification Study: State Practices and Performance Report

This report uses statistical modeling techniques to assess the relationship between direct certification performance and specific State practices, seeking best practices and providing recommendations for States to use when developing their Continuous Improvement Plans.

01/27/2015
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations National School Lunch Program Direct Certification Improvement Study

The purpose of this study is to describe current methods of direct certification used by state and local agencies and challenges facing states and local education agencies in attaining high matching rates. 

08/27/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0014 New Q&As Related to the Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the NSLP

Attached are revised Questions and Answers related to the final rule entitled, Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

SP26-2014
03/14/2014
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Certification of Compliance With Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the HHFKA of 2010

This final rule adopts, with some revisions, changes to the NSLP regulations, as set forth in the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012. The changes conform to requirements contained in the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 regarding performance-based cash assistance for school food authorities certified compliant with meal pattern and nutrition standards.

01/03/2014
Page updated: October 14, 2021