| 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 USDAFood 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 childs school meal eligibility in accordance with federal Medicaid law. OnJune 23,2022,FNS issued a Request for Applications inviting state agencies that administer schoolmealprogramstoparticipateinanewdemonstrationprojecttoevaluatetheimpactofdirectcertificationforbothfree and reduced price school meals.USDA FNS issued previous opportunities for states toparticipate in direct certification demonstrations in 2012,2016, and 2021.State Medicaid agencies are keypartners in these demonstrations, and CMS encourages Medicaid agencies to work with their stateagenciesin consideringthis opportunity. 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/cib08182022.pdf
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