Message to Parents  

Media Release: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

The Harmony ISD Elementary and Junior High Schools announced today it will operate the Community eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program for the 2026-2027 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of  meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and help insure that students receive nutritious meals.

Free and Reduced Breakfast/Lunch

Harmony ISD High School announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income guidelines. Each School/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may by reviewed by anyone on request.

Starting on August 1, 2026, Harmony ISD will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available at 9788 St Hwy 154 W, Big Sandy, TX 75755 or your child's campus.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

The following criteria will be used to determine a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

  Income

1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels  /  Categorical (Automatic) Eligibility

2.  Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Program Participant

3. Child's Status as a foster child, homeless, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster

4. Child' enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete an application for free and reduced-price meals and return it to Kimberly LaRose, Director of Food services at 9788 St Hwy 154 W, Big Sandy, TX 75755. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

1. Names of all household members

2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member

3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for "No Social Security number"

4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or program Eligibility

Harmony ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and Program eligible. Harmony ISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should contact Kimberly LaRose, Director of Food Services at (903)725-5492 ext. 603 or email larosek@harmonyisd.net. Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact  Kimberly LaRose, Director of Food Services at (903) 725-5492 ext. 603 or email larosek@harmonyisd.net.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information provided by households on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the year.

Determining Eligibility

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Kimberly LaRose, Director of Food Services, will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or Guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official's eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Brian Gray, Superintendent at (903) 725-5492 ext.101 or email grayb@harmonyisd.net 

Unexpected Circumstances

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. such changes may make the children of the household eligible for the benefits if the household's income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

If you have any questions about your child's account you may call:

Kimberly LaRose

Director of Food Services

(903)725-5492 ext. 603

Non Discrimination Statement

English:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: Program.Intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Spanish:

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles. La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339. Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por: (1) correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; o (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o (3) correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.