The Office of Public Instruction is currently making administrative and technology changes to existing systems to accommodate the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to align with the federal waivers. The MAPS update is tentatively scheduled to be in place by July 1, 2021. After the update, districts will be instructed to login to MAPS, complete their School Nutrition Programs Application Packet, and opt into the SSO through the Site Applications section.
This memorandum provides Q&As related to the nationwide waivers released for School Year 2021-2022 and applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2021, due to school closures as a result of COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies that have local educational agencies administering the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.
This waiver facilitates state agencies abilities to conduct a school meal programs administrative review when a School Food Authority is only operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option in SY 2021-2022.
COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #97
Department of Education Guidance on Implementation of Child Nutrition Program Waivers
On Jan. 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the attached fact sheet that outlines options and clarification for state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to successfully implement programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) while operating under child nutrition programs (CNP) waiver flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No State Match Payment of Remaining Funds in June 2021
Because of increased USDA Foods delivery costs, there has been a change in the year-end distribution of state match funds to sponsors. In past years, state match funding has exceeded USDA Foods delivery costs and the excess/surplus/leftover dollar amount has been distributed to public sponsors of the National School Lunch Program.
Rising trucking costs in the 2020-21 school year have fully absorbed the state match funds, and there will be no additional distribution in June.
This school year approximately 73,000 cases of USDA Foods were delivered to Montana schools, and we are pleased to be one of the few States that does not pass these costs along to our program sponsors.
Motivate Kids and Families With These Summer Activities
On June 2, 2021, celebrate MyPlate’s birthday by sharing MyPlate resources with students, families, and peers. MyPlate reminds us that small changes matter, and every bite counts! Check out Team Nutrition’s MyPlate webpage [lnks.gd] for materials developed specifically for kids and families. Share your favorite MyPlate resource with us on Twitter @TeamNutrition [lnks.gd].
TITAN Menu Planner
Together, with You, We’re Making Schools Stronger
It has been our goal to bring you the best menu planning solution on the market. Today, we are pleased to announce that TITAN – A LINQ solution, is available to you at no cost as the MT OPI School Nutrition Program menu planning partner. You can now join over 600 other districts from across the country that are using TITAN to make their school stronger. Not only does Titan offer menu planning with nutritional analysis and checkpoints, administrative review reports, and production records, it also offers, inventory, forecasting, purchasing, menus, and a POS all under the same no-cost-to-you price tag! You can manage the entire food production workflow seamlessly with updates in real-time, and effortlessly plan, track, and report the nutritional value of every meal, including the Family Portal. Training is available via the on-line TITAN Academy. You can choose to opt in for just menu planning or for all of the software options – it’s up to you!
Over the next few weeks, you may be contacted by a representative of the TITAN team to introduce you to the possibilities. If you want to get started right away, you can review the demo at https://www.titank12.com/ and/or contact the Montana Field Representative, Lance Heggem, at lheggem@linq.com, 503-367-4703 (cell - best option) OR 916-467-4700, ext 730 (office).
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
