DoDEA HQ Office of Communications
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-1400
The DoDEA Communications Office initiates and manages DoDEA's communications and outreach efforts worldwide. The office coordinates press relations, internal information programs and communication with students, parents, teachers, school administrators and the public.
The HQ Communications Office:
Issues news releases and media advisories about DoDEA initiatives, employees and programs Produces video and television promotional and informational products marketed worldwide Maintains the DoDEA web site Designs printed promotional and informational material and graphic artwork to accompany publications, promotions and initiatives
For Immediate Release — September 2, 2008 | HQ
Frank X. O'Gara: DoDEA Educational Communications Officer | (703) 588-3260
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Elaine Kanellis: DoDEA Educational Communications Officer | (703) 588-3265
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — September 2, 2008 — As the 2008-2009 School year beings, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) wants families of children attending Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) in Europe and the Pacific to be aware of recent adjustments published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price Student Meals. The new eligibility rates for free and reduced-price meals apply to the period covering July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
Participants in the Free and Reduced-Price Student Meal Program in DoDDS-Europe and the Pacific may continue to use the Alaska Income Eligibility Guidelines below:
| House- hold Size |
Federal poverty guide- lines |
Reduced-Price Meals – 185% | Free Meals – 130% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Annual | Monthly | Twice per month | Every two weeks | Weekly | Annual | Monthly | Twice per month | Every two weeks | Weekly | |
| 1 | 13,000 | 24,050 | 2,005 | 1,003 | 925 | 463 | 16,900 | 1,409 | 705 | 650 | 325 |
| 2 | 17,500 | 32,375 | 2,698 | 1,349 | 1,246 | 623 | 22,750 | 1,896 | 948 | 875 | 438 |
| 3 | 22,000 | 40,700 | 3,392 | 1,696 | 1,566 | 783 | 28,600 | 2,384 | 1,192 | 1,100 | 550 |
| 4 | 26,500 | 49,025 | 4,086 | 2,043 | 1,886 | 943 | 34,450 | 2,871 | 1,436 | 1,325 | 663 |
| 5 | 31,000 | 57,350 | 4,780 | 2,390 | 2,206 | 1,103 | 40,300 | 3,359 | 1,680 | 1,550 | 775 |
| 6 | 35,500 | 65,675 | 5,473 | 2,737 | 2,526 | 1,263 | 46,150 | 3,846 | 1,923 | 1,775 | 888 |
| 7 | 40,000 | 74,000 | 6,167 | 3,084 | 2,847 | 1,424 | 52,000 | 4,334 | 2,167 | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| 8 | 44,500 | 82,325 | 6,861 | 3,431 | 3,167 | 1,584 | 57,850 | 4,821 | 2,411 | 2,225 | 1,113 |
| For each add'l family member, add | 4,500 | 8,325 | 694 | 347 | 321 | 161 | 5,850 | 488 | 244 | 225 | 113 |
*Does not include Guam or Puerto Rico
Families may apply for free or reduced-price meals any time during the school year as their qualifying factors change. A family not eligible at the beginning of the school year may reapply if there has been a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or unemployment.The Student Meal Program is designed to meet federal requirements for nutritionally balanced meals and to offer free or reduced-price lunch and breakfast (where available) to eligible children.
Families can apply for eligibility to participate in the free and reduced-price Student Meal Program by completing an application available at their installation. Installation commanders operate and maintain the program by providing instructions on how to apply for the program; determining eligibility of applicants and maintaining and updating a list of students enrolled in the program.
Information concerning the DoDEA Student Meal Program is available on the DoDEA web site. Click on the "Support Offices" link, and then click on the "Logistics" link.