[Comm-partners] Summer EBT food benefits for children

[D5 Communications]

Good Afternoon Partners,

We are pleased to share that Oregon has received the first of two approvals needed to launch the new Summer EBT food benefit program for school-age children this year. Summer EBT will provide families with a total of $120 in food benefits, per child, during summer break. It will help address the summer hunger gap when many children lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they had at school.  ​

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The Oregon State Legislature approved the joint request from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) yesterday to offer Summer EBT. Oregon now needs a second approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to fully green-light the program launch, tentatively set for June. ​

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While Oregon awaits its final approval, ODE and ODHS continue to work quickly to create the systems and processes, and bring on the staff needed to operate the program and deliver food benefits to eligible children. Many details about how the program will operate and how we will communicate with families are being worked out.



To learn more about Oregon’s plan to implement Summer EBT, we encourage you to register for an upcoming webinar for community partners:

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Summer EBT food benefits for children

Informational webinar for community partners

hosted by the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Department of Human Services



Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Time: 3 to 4 p.m., Pacific Time
Click here<https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_noG0_GHwSVKix1qWSPkRHA#/registration> to register



​We want everyone to feel welcome and safe in this virtual meeting. We will provide free support for you to fully participate, including:
American Sign Language and Live Captioning. If you need other supports or languages, please call (503) 945-5600 or email Communications.DHS at odhsoha.oregon.gov<mailto:Communications.DHS at odhsoha.oregon.gov>.  Please submit your request by Monday, March 11, 2024.

To learn more about the new Summer EBT program, go to www.fns.usda.gov/sebt<http://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt>.



We look forward to working with you to make this program successful for Oregon families from its start. ​Thank you for your support and partnership in ensuring Oregon’s children have year-round access to the nutritious foods they need to be healthy and thrive. ​

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Sincerely, ​

Christine Doody, Summer EBT Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services

Dustin Melton, Summer EBT Lead, Oregon Department of Education   ​





Xana McCrea  she/her
Community Partnership Coordinator
Call or text: 541-321-3339
xana.mccrea at odhs.oregon.gov<mailto:xana.mccrea at odhs.oregon.gov>

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS)
Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP)
Branch 2002 – West 11th Family Center
2101 W 11th Ave
Eugene, OR 97402

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