Recently, CAPSES has been asked questions about reimbursement for provision of meals to needy pupils placed in Nonpublic Schools. Since March 1997, CDE has had a policy regarding participation in school nutrition programs by Nonpublic Schools,  their status as nonprofit or proprietary nonpublic schools (PNS), and the ability of nonprofits to enter into direct agreements with CDE School Nutrition Programs (contact telephone number [800] 952-5609). PNS are not eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to provide meals, because of their for-profit status. However, PNS may enter into agreements with nearby school districts that contract with the PNS. The contracted school district(s), as a NSLP sponsor, can claim reimbursement for meals served to students at the state-certified PNS, thereby minimizing or eliminating any charges to the school district. School districts are not obligated to enter into agreements to provide meals to proprietary nonpublic schools (PNS), however they will usually cooperate in order to ensure compliance with the federal/state mandates to provide meals to all needy students. Please call the School Nutrition Programs, California Department of Education telephone number listed above for further information on provision of meals in state certified nonpublic schools.