|
You spoke, we listened! During the Community Sponsor Listening Forums a common theme came forward – there is a growing need for consolidation of guidance and a notification of who exactly the memo applies to.
In order to do this, ODE CNP determined the best way to issue memos in a streamlined approach, while still reaching all of those that must have access to this information, is through the use of our monthly newsletters. These newsletters include the Knowing and Growing Newsletter issued to our Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Sponsors and the SFSP Corner issued to our Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsors.
In each of these communications, there will be a memos section, where ODE CNP will link to the USDA memo that has been released. Next to each individual memo, it will state what audience or type of Sponsor the memo is for. This will clearly identify who the memo applies to. Sponsors will continue to be responsible for reviewing and implementing any required guidance in the memos.
Our goal through this change is to allow ODE CNP to include most, if not all, of our communications in one central location for each program, each month.
We bid a fond farewell to Jessica Visinsky from the ODE CNP Community Team. Jessica has been with the team for the last three years and has been instrumental in working on technical assistance, grants, and multiple special projects in addition to working with a wide variety of Sponsors. Previously, Jessica worked with the ODE CNP School Nutrition Program Team, and now she is moving on as the new Operations Policy Analyst 3 for all of ODE CNP.
In her new role, Jessica will be serving all Child Nutrition Programs in Oregon by working on policies, cross-team projects, and Sponsor support. She will also continue to put on her chef’s hat for the Oregon Cooks for Kids Culinary Trainings. Join us in congratulating Jessica on this exciting new position!
|
Another year, another CACFP Renewal season! Thank you to all CACFP Sponsors who submitted their Fiscal Year 2022 renewal applications through CNPweb and the various offline forms. Submission of these documents is the first step of the CACFP renewal process. After submission, the assigned Child Nutrition Specialist reviews the application and may reach out with questions or required revisions.
To ensure that the renewal process runs smoothly and quickly, Sponsors should:
- Respond in a timely manner to Specialist e-mails or phone calls.
- Make requested revisions to online or offline forms and resubmit those forms into Pending Approval for review. This is completed through the Packet tab.
- Submit additional documentation, as requested.
We encourage all Sponsors to reach out to their assigned Child Nutrition Specialist as questions come up.
|
With the rise in supply chain issues, Sponsors may need to use available meal pattern flexibilities when menued items are in short supply. All meal pattern flexibilities must be requested through the Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver Request Form. Once requested, ODE CNP staff will review your request and e-mail you to let you know whether the request is approved or denied.
Under CACFP Meal Pattern Flexibilities from COVID Waiver #91, only the following requirements may be waived:
- That at least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, the serving of grains must be whole grain-rich.
- That the crediting of grains by ounce equivalents must be fully implemented by October 1, 2021.
- That low-fat milk (1 percent) served to children ages 6 and older and adults must be unflavored.
While the CACFP Memo 02-2022 released on October 28, 2021 does not provide additional flexibilities, it does recognize that Sponsors may have additional needs due to supply chain disruptions. In such situations, Sponsors must document any substitutions made to the menu, indicate why items were not available, and maintain any records of showing that there was a supply chain issue. Some examples of supporting documentation can include invoices showing items not received, photos of empty shelves, or notes on grocery receipts documenting item unavailability during a shopping trip. All documentation must be saved for three years after the current fiscal year.
Sponsors can notify ODE CNP of these supply chain issues by completing the FY 2022 CACFP Supply Chain Issue Survey. Completion of this survey will help ODE CNP to develop technical assistance on this issue and ensure accurate reporting to USDA.
|
 Adult Day Care Centers, Child Care Centers, and Head Start sites with community slots who operated in October 2021 must have One Month Enrollment Roster (OMER) numbers ready when submitting the October 2021 claims in CNPweb. This number is determined based on your October 2021 enrollment and the Child Enrollment Forms and Confidential Income Statements that were collected during the month of October. Your OMER numbers from October will determine your reimbursement rate for the fiscal year. If you need a refresher on the OMER, ODE CNP has created the OMER Quick Reference Guide.
Sponsors that did not operate in October 2021 must enter new OMER numbers with the first claim submitted for the Fiscal Year.
ODE CNP is excited to welcome all new CACFP Sponsor Staff by hosting a training on the purpose of CACFP and available resources. This training will discuss responsibilities of Sponsor Staff, provide a high level overview of the CACFP and a tour of the ODE CNP CACFP public website and CNPweb.
This training is meant for staff who have recently stepped into the following positions:
- Authorized Representative
- Food Program Coordinator
- Financial Office Contact
- Claim Contact
However, all staff who want a refresher on the basics are welcome to join.
When: December 8, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting: Register Here
When you register, remember to submit the top question that you would like answered on this webinar. We will incorporate some of the questions into our webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
The updated Daily Infant Menu Record Forms are now available in a fillable PDF version and a Spanish-language version. All forms are now available on the CACFP Meal Pattern and Menu Planning Page under the Meal Pattern Resources section. These new versions of the Daily Infant Menu Record Forms are meant for Sponsors who have staff who complete forms electronically and for Sponsors who have staff who are more comfortable with Spanish-language materials.
 
During the 2021-2023 biennium, ODE CNP has the opportunity to provide grants of up to $20,000 per grantee for the start-up and/or expansion of our At- Risk Afterschool meal program, Seamless Summer Option program and Summer Food Service meal programs.
Approximately $518,000 is available for grants to sponsors, new applicants and even partnering organizations. This year applications will be reviewed and awarded in set rounds and the first round of applications will be due on November 10, 2021.
If you are interested in learning more about the grant and the steps to apply for funds, the Special Grants webpage has been updated with all the information you may need. On this webpage, you will find an Announcement and Updates module (video) highlighting changes to the grant for the new biennium and updated application and reporting materials.
Questions regarding the grant or the RFA process can be submitted to Kaitlin Skreen at kaitlin.skreen@ode.state.or.us
Completed applications can be submitted to Noemi Rios at noemi.rios@ode.state.or.us
Oregon Wellness Award applications open on November 1st
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
The Oregon Department of Education, the Nutrition Council of Oregon, the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, and OregonASK are teaming up to reward exemplary School & Afterschool Programs for creating and sustaining a culture of wellness for youth and staff. With consideration to the current circumstances, this years’ wellness award committee has chosen to simplify the application. The gathering of the required information and completing the application is expected to take between 1-3 hours. Application materials and resources will be posted to the Oregon Department of Education Wellness Awards webpage on November 1, 2021.
Two awards per category will be rewarded.
-
School Programs selected will receive statewide recognition, a personalized plaque, and a custom banner, as well as a $2,500 award to be used to further nutrition, physical activity and/or other wellness efforts within their school.
-
Afterschool Programs selected will receive statewide recognition, a personalized plaque, and a custom banner, as well as a $1,000 award to be used to further nutrition, physical activity and/or other wellness efforts within their program.
As a sponsor of the awards, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council provides the cash award and a recognition banner for each winner.
We will be hosting three Wellness Award Overview webinars. Register in advance for this webinar by selecting the time and date that works best for you.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining.
For additional guidance, including award rules, required materials, and the selection process, please contact Michelle Lincoln at (503) 947-5889 or michelle.lincoln@ode.state.or.us
 |
|
If you missed the virtual culinary training with Chef Jessica on October 21, 2021, don’t fret! You can still view the recorded training on the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council website.
In “Romaine Calm and Keep Cooking,” Chef Jessica creates different bowls with a variety of spices, grains, meat/meat alternates, and vegetables. These versatile bowls are great for introducing new vegetables or spices.
|
Team Nutrition Resources:
Five new Team Nutrition training worksheets for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are now available in print. Each worksheet is available in English and Spanish, with 25 worksheets per pack. State agencies, sponsoring organizations, and program operators who participate in one of USDA’s child nutrition programs may order these worksheets by visiting the links below. For bulk orders, please email TeamNutrition@USDA.gov.
To see Team Nutrition’s collection of CACFP training worksheets, please visit: fns.usda.gov/tn/meal-pattern-training-worksheets-cacfp.
To see Team Nutrition’s collection of CACFP Training Tools, please visit fns.usda.gov/tn/training-tools-cacfp.
______________________________
USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative has developed tip sheets to help School Food Authorities navigate meal service flexibilities and supply chain issues during this dynamic school year:
For more information and additional resources, please visit Team Nutrition’s Planning for a Dynamic School Environment webpage.
|
 Meghan Tschida, Community Team Manager
Cathy Brock, Team Lead Renewals and Applications
Deanna (DeDe) Poynor, Team Lead Administrative Reviews
Kim Cardona, Child Nutrition Specialist
Eliza Kondo, Child Nutrition Specialist
Darcy Miller, Child Nutrition Specialist
Kaitlin Skreen, Child Nutrition Specialist
Shannon Smith, Child Nutrition Specialist
Shirley Wu, Child Nutrition Specialist
Teresa Murray, Fiscal & Audit Analyst
Dusti Ker, Program Analyst
Community Nutrition Emailbox
Visit us on the web ODE CACFP
Upcoming CACFP Newsletters will be distributed at the beginning of each month. Look for the next edition in your inbox soon!
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to the USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
|
