The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released several policy memos.
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COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #26: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – EXTENSION 3
- This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
- This waives the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements.
- Washington State will participate in this waiver.
- Sponsors are approved on a case-by-case basis - Contact your program specialist.
- This waiver remains in effect until July 31, 2020.
- As a reminder, Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(f) allow procurement by noncompetitive proposals when there is a public emergency.
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COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #27: Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION through August 31, 2020
- This waiver applies to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- This waiver allows Sponsors to:
- Conduct 2 facility reviews, instead of 3.
- Conduct 1 unannounced visit, instead of 2.
- Not observe a meal service.
- To have more than 6 months between reviews.
- Review new facilities as a desk review.
- Washington state will participate in this waiver.
- Sponsors must notify OSPI CNS if they intend to participate in this waiver. If you have not already notified us that you plan to use this waiver - please complete this survey.
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COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #28: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION through August 31, 2020
- This waiver allows OSPI CNS to conduct Administrative Reviews as a desk audit and waives the requirement for on-site visits for reviews during the emergency.
- Washington state will participate in this waiver.
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SP 21-2020, CACFP12-2020, SFSP 12-2020: Q&A Related to Food Service Management Company Contracts and Allowable Costs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- This memo reviews common questions and answers for sponsors working with a FSMC.
- Topics include: Contracts and Other Contracted Suppliers, Monitoring, and Allowable Costs.
- If you have questions, please email Jeff Booth.
Please review the linked policy memos for more details about these waivers.
Questions? Please reach out to your program specialist.
If your current At-Risk operation has extended past the original school end date due to COVID, you must revise your WINS calendar and site application. Without these changes your June claim will go into error status.
Remember June 30th is the last date that At-Risk Programs are able to operate.
After June 30th Sponsors of the CACFP At-Risk Program must transition to the 'traditional' Summer Food Service Program if they would like to continue meal service operation into the summer. The At-Risk program is designed to operate during the traditional school year.
Questions? Please reach out to your program specialist.
USDA's Team Nutrition recently released new resources!
These 'Providing Multiple Meals at a Time for Children During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic' tip sheets provide information about using bulk foods and distributing multiple meals at a time.
Last week we shared two updates about completing this process.
Completing a Study Month for FY 2021
- Complete a study month between July 1 and October 31, 2020.
- Begin no earlier than July 1, 2020.
- Use one calendar month or 30 consecutive days.
- Enter results of the FY 2021 study month prior to entering October 2020 claims, using 10/1/2020 as the “Effective Date”.
- Maintain supporting documentation.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has released a COVID-19 grant opportunity from partners at the Albertsons Companies Foundation to increase participation in the summer meals programs. Intermediary organizations, Child Nutrition Program Sponsors, and schools can apply for funding.
Some examples of how funding may be used, includes:
- Transportation
- Food purchasing
- Connections/Marketing/Outreach
- Temporary Hires to make up for lack of volunteers
- Capacity
- Technical Assistance
- Equipment, PPE, and packaging
The grant application is located on the Albertsons Companies Foundation webpage.
Applications are due by June 22 at 11:59 pm PT.
Questions? Contact Christy.Duncan-Anderson@albertsons.com.
The National CACFP Sponsors Association released this free PDF flash card set featuring the Fruit & Vegetable Alphabet with fun facts, recipes, and activities on the back side.
For additional tools, you can visit their Resources Webpage.
The Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) recently published this list of COVID-19 Stories for Children, available for helping children understand the strange world around them! These stories were created by early childhood professionals and medical professionals.
- Something Strange Happened in My City: A COVID-19 Social Story for Young Children
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We Wear Masks (English) / Usa Mascara (Spanish)
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Why We Stay At Home: Suzie Learns about Coronavirus (Free download with email)
- We Stay At Home: Suzie Learns about Coronavirus as read by StoryTime at Awnie's House
Join Team Nutrition for a Webinar for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Operators!
English Webinar: June 18, 11:00 to 11:30am PT Register Here
Spanish Webinar: June 18, 12:00 to 12:30pm PT Register Here
This webinar focuses on practical tips for how CACFP operators can meet CACFP meal pattern requirements for children ages 1-2 years while addressing their developmental needs. Topics include helping children learn how to feed themselves, encouraging children to try new foods, serving the right type of milk in the CACFP to different age groups, encouraging a variety of vegetables and fruits, and more!
Attendees will have a chance to submit questions to the presenters and check their knowledge through interactive polling questions.
Both webinars will be recorded and posted on the Team Nutrition website at a later date. Certificates of participation will be provided for those who attend the entire webinar.
GENYOUth recently shared their latest Youth Insights report, “Life Disrupted: The Impact of COVID-19 on Teens". GenYOUTH surveyed teens 13-18 years old from across the US to understand the impact of COVID 19 on our youth from their perspective.
View the full report
View the executive summary
June 15
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May Claims Due in WINS
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