Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Community Outreach
Dear Families,
If you are seeking information about SNAP eligibility and enrollment, our school staff are here to help. Please feel free to reach out to Amanda Garcia at agarcia@valencecollegeprep.org, or explore the resources listed below on your own. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) can request assistance from the school.
PURPOSE
This memorandum provides information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach requirements established under Education Law §915‑a and the implementing regulations in Section 114.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, effective January 28, 2026, and offers guidance to support schools in carrying out these requirements. These requirements apply to all school districts, charter schools and non-public schools that operate as School Food Authorities (SFAs) in New York State. The overarching goal of these requirements is to ensure that families receive timely, accessible information about SNAP eligibility and enrollment, thereby maximizing direct certification for federal free‑rate school meals.
RESOURCES
Contact Us: Amanda Garcia at agarcia@valencecollegeprep.org, for school staff support.
SNAP Outreach Providers: designated by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), these providers offer eligibility pre-screening, application assistance, and program education. https://otda.ny.gov/programs/
ACCESS HRA: NYC’s official online system. This system lets residents apply for, manage, and renew public benefits. https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/
myBenefits: online portal supported by OTDA that helps eligible New Yorkers outside of NYC proper to apply for and manage benefits and assistance. https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin
SNAP Outreach in Schools Toolkit, developed by No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices. https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/resource/snap-outreach-schools-toolkit#:~:text=This%20toolkit%20helps%20get%20the,)%2C%20Tagalog%2C%20and%20Vietnamese.
SNAP Toolkit for Schools and Community Partners, developed by Hunger Solutions NY. https://hungersolutionsny.org/snapschooltoolkit/#toolkit