CMS releases information to states on partnership opportunity with state nutrition agencies

View in browser | Distributed by Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a CMCS Informational Bulletin (CIB) to states regarding a solicitation to participate in a demonstration project that the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has issued for states to use Medicaid eligibility data to qualify children for free and reduced-price school meals. The CIB also reminds states that they are permitted to share Medicaid data to verify a child’s school meal eligibility in accordance with federal Medicaid law. On July 29, 2021, FNS issued a Request for Applications inviting state agencies that administer school meal programs to participate in a demonstration project to evaluate the impact of direct certification for both free and reduced-price school meals. USDA FNS issued previous opportunities for states to participate in direct certification demonstrations in 2012 and 2016. State Medicaid agencies are key partners in these demonstrations, and CMS encourages Medicaid agencies to work with their state agencies in considering this opportunity. Applications for the 2022-2023 school year must be received by FNS by September 30, 2021; and applications for the 2023-2024 school year must be received by FNS by September 30, 2022. States will be able to apply for funding to cover the associated project costs. Additional states will be able to apply to participate in the demonstrations in future years. Learn more here: https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib091021.pdf