What has changed so far?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has made application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain child nutrition program requirements. Find more details on the waivers below by visiting https://sde.ok.gov/child-nutrition-programs.

• Allow Non-Congregate Feeding – Approved 3/20/20 . Effective through 6/30/20 or upon expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier. Effective through 6/30/21
• Activity Requirement in the Afterschool Care – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 4/30/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick up Meals for Children – Approved 3/25/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadlines in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program – Approved 3/25/20. Waiver deadlines.
• Allow Schools Which Fail to Meet the 50% Free and Reduced Area Eligibility by Site to Serve Meals on the SSO – Approved 3/18/20. Effective through 8/31/20.
• Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 6/30/21.
• Allow schools to waive the requirement to follow “Offer vs. Serve” principles. – Effective through 6/30/21.
• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, states are authorized to provide an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase food to households with children receiving free or reduced-price school meals in the event of school closures. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA on 6/25/20 to operate in Oklahoma to replace school meal benefits lost between March-May 2020. Households should receive additional funds on an existing EBT card, or a new EBT card in the mail, no later than 8/30/20. No additional application is required to receive P-EBT benefits. For more information visit: http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/Pages/comm07072020.aspx (Updated 7/13/20)

What changes could we see in the future?
The extension of deadlines for existing program flexibilities. This is pending action by the USDA.

Existing WIC recipients
WIC recipients should temporarily be able to satisfy certification or re-certification requirements without the need to be physically present at a clinic. (Updated 3/28/20)

Prospective WIC recipients
If you are interested in applying for WIC: In Oklahoma, WIC is administered through 10 programs. For convenience, WIC applicants can choose the nearest WIC location or the program of preference. All WIC programs are open to Native and Non-Native participants. Click on any of the Oklahoma WIC Programs below to learn more:

• • • Oklahoma State Department of Health
    • Cherokee Nation
    • Chickasaw Nation
    • Choctaw Nation
    • Citizen Potawatomi Nation
    • Inter Tribal Council of Oklahoma
    • Muscogee (Creek) Nation
    • Osage Nation – Call 1-800-460-1006
    • The Otoe-Missouria Tribe
    • WCD

Any changes to the WIC Program?
The following items were added to the list of WIC-approved items effective 4/8/2020:

• Medium and large brown eggs by the dozen (not organic),
• 8 and 32 ounce blocks of cheese and 8, 16, and 32 ounce bags of shredded cheese (no italian, mexican, or taco blends).

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law on 3/18/2020. The bill provided an additional $500 million to the WIC program. In addition, the bill provided additional authority to the USDA to grant waivers for certain requirements. Oklahoma WIC made application and had the requirements listed below waived. This means that anyone that would like to certify or recertify for state WIC can do so over the phone without the requirement to physically visit a clinic for the near future.

• The physical presence requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• Anthropometric measurements requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• Blood work requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• The nutrition assessment form will be reduced to identify basic needs and will be utilized to complete phone certifications and recertifications.

What changes could we see in the future?
State or Federal action to substitute certain food package items with similar items when WIC approved foods are unavailable.

Existing senior meal recipients
Congregate meal locations will be moving to alternative, non-congregate models. Contact your provider with any questions you may have.

Potential senior meal recipients
If you or someone you know is looking for senior meals please visit http://www.okdhs.org/OKDHS%20Publication%20Library/91-27.pdf

Any changes to senior meal programs?

• The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has received federal guidance and approval to move congregate senior meals to delivery models.
• Under the Families First Act, an additional $250 million in senior nutrition program funding was authorized to provide approximately 25 million additional home-delivered and pre-packaged meals to low income seniors. (Updated 3/28/20)
• Under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, an additional $955 million in funding was authorized for the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide support to a number of their services, including senior nutrition programs. (Updated 3/28/20)

What changes could we see in the future?
Additional funds provided through a federal relief package to expand number of meals served.