CALPADS Update Flash #242

To:           Local Educational Agency (LEA) Representatives

From:      California Department of Education (CDE) –
                California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Team

Date:      October 26, 2022

Subject:  CALPADS Update FLASH #242

Extension of Deadline for Families to Submit National School Lunch Program Applications or Alternative Income Forms for Inclusion in Unduplicated Pupil Count

Currently families must submit National School Lunch Program (NSLP) applications or Alternative Income Forms by October 31, 2022 in order for students enrolled on Census Day to be included in the Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC) used to determine supplemental and concentration grant funding under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The application/form deadline has been extended to November 30, 2022.

Local educational agencies (LEAs) are being provided additional time to collect these forms in recognition of the challenges they face in educating their families that it is critical to submit these forms, even though all students may now receive a free meal under the Universal Meals Program.

For students who submit their NSLP application or Alternative Income form after October 31, 2022, but by November 30, 2022, LEAs must upload to CALPADS a free or reduced-price meal program record (Education Program code 181 or 182) with a start date of October 31, 2022 in order for these students to be included in certification report 1.17 – LCFF Unduplicated Pupil – Count. The UPC that LEAs certify in Report 1.17 is used to determine the Unduplicated Pupil Percentage used in calculating supplemental and concentrations grants under LCFF. LEAs must approve their Fall 1 submission by December 16, 2022, in order for these data to be used in the calculation of their First Principal Apportionment.

Note that alternative income forms cannot be used to establish eligibility for the School Nutrition programs (SNP). In addition, the allowance to back-date the program start date only applies to CALPADS program records uploaded to CALPADS for the purpose of including pupils in the UPC. When determining eligibility for the SNPs, LEAs must continue to establish the eligibility date based upon the receipt and processing of the meal application. LEAs with questions related to meal applications can contact the Nutrition Services Division by e-mail at SNPinfo@cde.ca.gov.