[Wsssc] Update: Free & Reduced Meal Pilot Program Application Timeline

[Lauren Hibbs]

Good afternoon WSSSC members,

We hope this email finds you well. We write to provide you with some important information regarding the Free & Reduced Meal Pilot Program, a subsection of HB 1559<https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1559-S2.SL.pdf?q=20230612093324>.

We recognize the passage of the bill and the release of funds occurs rather quickly. To provide as much time as possible and ensure a smooth and efficient process, we have established the following anticipated timeline for the Pilot Program:

  *   Application Release: June 20th
  *   Application Due: July 14th
  *   Committee Reviews: July 17th - July 21st
  *   Allocation Approvals to Leadership: July 24th - July 28th
  *   Notification to Colleges of Acceptance: July 31st
  *   Allocations Released: August

We believe that this meal voucher program has the potential to make a significant impact on the well-being, retention, and success of our students. By addressing food insecurity, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.  HB 1559 subsection 3 (page 4) enacts a meal pilot program to begin as early as July 2023, through June 30, 2026. This program aims to address food insecurity among college students and promote access to nutritious meals for students and has minimal administrative requirements with implementation in the first year, and an anticipated cohort of learning in the second and third years.

As part of the meal pilot program, interested colleges have the opportunity to submit their applications with a budget of no more than $240,000 per year. Eligibility criteria for participation include four colleges, two on each side of the Cascade Mountains, who can demonstrate a clear need for the program through the application process (released next week). The funding is anticipated to support students in accessing food in the method that makes the most sense for available resources in the community. Data shows that students who have access to food are more likely to stay enrolled and progress through their courses. Colleges selected to participate will effectively describe the need of their students and how to provide access to food for students through an approach they determine will meet students' and campus community needs.

We encourage eligible colleges to begin to think through and prepare their approach accordingly and submit the application by the specified deadline. The committee will then review all submissions and make recommendations for approval to the leadership team. Once the allocations are finalized, we will promptly notify the colleges of their acceptance into the program.

We appreciate your support and collaboration in ensuring the success of this pilot program. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Jennifer Dellinger (cc:d here).
[Compass]
Lauren Hibbs, Ed.D
Director, Student Services
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
lhibbs at sbctc.edu*<mailto:lhibbs at sbctc.edu*> o: 360-704-4334 *
sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> * Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> * Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>

SBCTC Vision:

"Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."



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