Every District has Different Needs When It Comes to Processing Free & Reduced Applications—OneSource Offers a Variety of High Technology Solutions and Options

OneSource Free & Reduced Suite offers a comprehensive system to help you effectively manage this important program.

Managing the USDA’s complex free & reduced program involves a lot more than just application processing. It also requires that you communicate with parents and students, maintain free and reduced information in the database, import direct certifications, and perform verification. When it comes to all of the aforementioned, OneSource handles it with ease. Processing applications is equally easy with OneSource; it offers a full suite of high technology solutions. You can choose to process applications manually, scan applications or accept applications online.

AUTOMATED DATABASE FEATURES

Easily build the initial database and maintain current information with completely automated processes.

• Initialize the database via a complete download from the SIS.
• Update changes and keep it accurate with an automated scheduler that provides daily “hands-free” updates of changes to SIS and OneSource. SIF interfaces are available.
• Access history and a complete audit trail of every change.
• Identify and remove duplicates easily.

EASY APPLICATION PROCESSING

Application processing is easy with this streamlined system.

• Access the comprehensive database from one screen.
• Import direct certifications. OneSource automatically designates them as free.
• Process applications manually and quickly using the Quick Entry feature. An experienced user can process approximately 800 applications per day using this method.
• Enter applications in their entirety using Standard Entry.

FAST AND ACCURATE APPLICATION SCANNING

Application scanning effectively modernizes this important process because it is fast and efficient.

• Scan applications and validate/correct the scanned images prior to importation.
• Import the scanned applications and OneSource automatically applies the appropriate status. The scanned application image is attached to the F&R record for quick access and viewing centrally and at sites.
• Give CDs to auditors for your CRE to minimize the amount of time they spend onsite in your office.
• View at-a-glance metrics with the touch of a button. Key personnel can view metrics for daily batch and form processing, daily exports and imports, and daily statistics.
• Utilize built-in search and lookup tools to simplify the Quality Assurance process.
• Schedule imports to run unattended on a daily, weekly, monthly or on-demand basis.
• Export data easily using the automated scheduler if desired. You can also export to CDs to give to CRE auditors.
• Handle translations automatically during import and export.
• Define user rights using five levels of security.
• Schedule automated backups.
• Set up system preferences including manual or automatic batch processing, auto cover sheet generation, variable batch sizes, validation preferences and QA preferences.

EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESSING

Parents appreciate the benefits of online application processing.

• Enter Free and Reduced applications directly online and start receiving benefits faster. It’s the fastest way for parents to get their students registered.
• Access the Internet from home, the library or district provided computers with Internet connections.
• Utilize simple-to-use “wizards” that effortlessly walk parents through each field.
• View a confirmation screen that shows student/household information.

Districts can significantly reduce the amount of time spent handling free & reduced applications.

• Offer a secure, state-of-the-art system that meets and exceeds the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and USDA’s ‘Electronic Transaction in Child Nutrition Programs” standards.
• Ensure security with an electronic signature that meets all USDA requirements. The system is a state-of-the art web-based system with secure SSL128 encryption that assures privacy.
• Review applications prior to releasing them into the system.
• Designate automatic release or manual release of information into system.
• Assign status automatically.
• View at-a-glance metrics using the innovative dashboard. Program managers can review application processing graphs, daily imports and exports, and daily statistics.
• Finalize applications and store them in the database though seamless integration with F&R Suite.

STREAMLINE APPLICATION PROCESSING WITH PRE-APPROVAL

The Pre-Approval module speeds up the process in large urban districts and saves time at the central office.

• Receive applications at the site for pre-approval processing.
• Assign a pre-approved eligibility status at the site level.
• Send pre-approved applications to the central office. OneSource evaluates the pre-approved applications.
• Assign a final eligibility status at the central office level. Applications finalized at the central office cannot be modified by the sites.

QUICK AND EASY VERIFICATION PROCESS

The verification process is efficient and totally automated.

• Select verification pool the easy way—the computer does it for you.
• Choose random, focus or basic verification. Use the default percentages or modify them by adding students to the pool or excluding previously verified students from the pool.
• Process mail notifications via mail merge.
• Enter income information from the verification responses into OneSource.
• Assign the new status and grace period which are automatically calculated.
• Utilize pre-loaded verification reports, standard USDA letters and rosters.
• Reduce costs with telephony. Notify parents of eligibility status to avoid costly mail outs and minimize calls to the district.