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You may have heard or read information about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in recent weeks. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person-to-person and the number of cases detected in the U.S. is growing. As the situation with the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to evolve, organizations should be developing response plans and establishing mechanisms for ongoing communication with staff, children, families, and communities.
Please review the OSPI Bulletin released Friday for information. We encourage sponsors to consider children who rely on your meals when assessing the need for closures. Many children rely on meals you provide to meet their basic nutritional needs.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) child nutrition programs, including CACFP, operate through group feeding sites. During major outbreaks, USDA may allow waivers to certain requirements. We will continue to monitor and await further guidance from USDA.
The 2019-20 Washington Public School Data for Area Eligibility Report is now available.
This report may be used to establish area eligibility for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Area eligibility may be assigned if school data indicates that the proposed meal site is located in an attendance area of a public school where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
The Area Eligibility in Child Nutrition Programs Reference Sheet provides more details on area eligibility.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
In collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), OSPI is offering free full-day CACFP meal pattern trainings around the state this spring and summer.
What will we be learning?
This hands-on training features updated requirements for serving meals and snacks to participants, as outlined in the latest CACFP meal patterns. Participants will explore the updates to the child and adult meal patterns, as well as tips and strategies for implementation.
Each full-day training is scheduled from 8:00am to 4:00pm (approximately).
Training Grants Available
OSPI CNS is offering competitive grants up to $500 for travel and substitutes for Sponsors attending one of our CACFP Meal Pattern trainings. To apply for the grant, you must first apply for an iGrants user account. For more details on applying, please review the February 3 Weekly Newsletter.
Apply for your grant today! Sign into iGrants and search for Form Package 943!
For more information on applying for the grant - please review the Community Nutrition Newsletter for the Week of 2/3.
All CACFP Sponsors are eligible to receive this grant - apply by March 18!
Who Should Attend?
This training is designed specifically for individuals operating the CACFP and may include the following program types:
• Child Care Centers
• Family Child Care Homes
• Adult Day Care Centers
• At-Risk Afterschool Programs
• Emergency Shelters
• Pre-K Meals in the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs
Please feel free to bring MULTIPLE staff members with you to training. We must have 20 registrants for each training session, otherwise the trainers cannot travel to training due to costs – so the more, the merrier!
Questions? Contact Bianca Smith at 360-725-6057.
CACFP Week is March 15-21! OSPI Child Nutrition encourages you to get the word out about your program!
What You Can Do
Discover more about National CACFP Week here!
There are many reasons and benefits to serving your meals family-style. However there is much to learn about this method of service.
The National CACFP Sponsors Association has put together a great tip sheet on best practices, how to introduce this service style, and it's benefits.
For more information, review the Family Style Dining Tipsheet.
Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)
ICN is a federally-funded center dedicated to child nutrition education and training. Their education and training resources are designed to support you in successfully implementing program requirements.
ICN provides online training for free - and can be done anytime! The e-learning resource are available 24/7, each staff member must have their own account to participate.
Highlights
For more information, visit the ICN e-Learning webpage.
What is Farm to ECE? How can your center participate? Can this program help children make life-long healthy choices?
Join us for the Farm to Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workshop and discover:
- How to bring local foods to childcare meals
- How to engage young children with gardening and food education
- How to participate in Farm to ECE.
Who should attend this FREE training?
These trainings are primarily targeted at childcare directors, Early Achievers Coaches, local health department staff, and other individuals that provide support to childcare institutions.
When?
Lakewood; Wednesday, April 1, 2020; 9:00am – 4:15pm – Register Now
Spokane; Wednesday, April 8, 2020; 9:00am – 4:15pm – Register Now
Yakima; Tuesday, April 14, 2020; 9:00am – 4:15pm – Register Now
Questions? Contact Bianca Smith.
#NationalNutritionMonth is all about eating right for your lifestyle. Celebrate lifelong, healthy living with #OSPIChildNutrition and your family!
Learn more about what you can do to Eat Right with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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