Briefs: Colonel Crawford meals policy, drainage ditch grants, older driver initiative

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
·3 min read

Colonel Crawford announces free and reduced price meals policy

Colonel Crawford Local Schools has announced its 2023-2024 program year policy on free and reduced price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk Program.

Application forms are distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should complete an application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school.

Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm.

Drainage ditch construction grants available

In an effort to ensure improved water quality through Ohio's H2Ohio Program, the Crawford SWCD is offering grant funds for the construction of conservation ditches. Conservation ditches include two stage and self-forming ditches.

The Crawford SWCD is offering grant funds for the construction of conservation ditches. This is a competitive grant process. Applications are accepted through Oct. 31.
The Crawford SWCD is offering grant funds for the construction of conservation ditches. This is a competitive grant process. Applications are accepted through Oct. 31.

This H2Ohio grant process is competitive, therefore not all applicants will be funded. Successful applicants will be reimbursed 100% of the cost to design and construct a conservation drainage ditch. Construction costs can include earthwork, spoil disposal, tile outlets, rock protection, seeding and mulching. Old broken tile mains, existing or new drainage ditches are eligible.

Landowners interested in more information or who would like to apply for these funds can contact the Crawford SWCD office at 419-562-8280. Applications are being accepted at the Crawford SWCD office through Oct. 31.

Ohio launches statewide effort to expand educational program for older drivers

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is expanding a program to prevent injuries among older drivers. OTSO is now providing federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the Central Ohio Area on Aging for the state’s first statewide CarFit coordinator, Angela Wise. Wise will work to train more CarFit volunteers and plan events to reach more older adults.

People 65 and older make up the fastest growing segment of drivers nationally and in Ohio. By 2030, the state will have more than 4.8 million residents who are 65 and older. While older drivers typically take fewer risks while driving than younger drivers, they are more likely to be injured or killed in a crash due to age-related fragility.

Those interested in becoming a trained CarFit volunteer or attending a CarFit event can learn more at Car-Fit.org or email Wise at awise@coaaa.org.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Colonel Crawford meals policy, drainage ditch grants, CarFit expansion