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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #58 - Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the CACFP At Risk Afterschool Care Component. This waiver:
- Allows schools and afterschool care centers, regardless of their location to serve at-risk afterschool meals and snacks to students after the regular school day
- Is effective Immediately through December 31, 2020.
- Washington will participate in this waiver.
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Reminder: At Risk sponsors must provide organized regularly scheduled education or enrichment activities.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Verification Process
Verification is the process of confirming free and reduced-price meal eligibility based on an application. The verification process begins each year on October 1 and concludes November 15. Results of the verification process (Verification Summary Report) must be submitted to Child Nutrition Services by February 1, 2021.
Public school districts, private schools, and residential child care institutions that determine eligibility for meals using meal applications must conduct verification. Local education agencies with a 20% or greater non-response rate from verification in school year 2019-20 must use the 3% Focused method.
Sponsors Operating NSLP and SBP
Sponsors currently operating the NSLP and SBP who determine eligibility for meals using meal applications should move forward with the annual verification process for SY 20-21. We are waiting for further guidance from USDA on sponsors operating Summer feeding programs through December 31, 2020.
Reminder: Earlier this year we shared that the Direct Verification Process is discontinued. We encourage sponsors to familiarize themselves with the Rolling Verification process to help reduce workload.
Materials
Verification materials and tools are available on the CNS Free and Reduced-Price Meals and Verification webpage including:
- Timeline for Completing Verification Tasks
- Verification Non-Response Rate 20% or greater for SY 2019-20
- 3% Focused Sampling Worksheet
- 3% Random Sampling Worksheet
- 1% plus ½% Focused Sampling Worksheet
- Explanation of Method Used to Select Verification Sample
- Waiver of Second Party Confirmation Review and Instructions
- Documentation of the Verification Process
- Verification Letter Templates in English and Spanish
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2020-21 Verification Summary Report will be completed in WINS.
Timeline
Please use the Timeline for Completing Verification Tasks for complete details of completing this process.
Beginning of the school year to October 1 Process applications and run the direct certification list often before October 1. Ensure you have the most up to date information from the LEA Homeless Liaison and Head Start/ECEAP program administrators. Remove and file separately, paper applications for students that are directly certified for Basic Food, TANF, Migrant, FDPIR, Homeless, Head Start/ECEAP.
October 1
- Count applications.
- Determine the Verification Method and select appropriate sample.
- Conduct a Second Party Confirmation Review or, if applicable, print waiver.
October 1 – November 15 Send Verification notices. Conduct follow up attempts and send letters of adverse action as applicable
Last Operating Day in October Count and record the number of students, who are:
- Directly certified for Basic Food
- Directly certified for Medicaid Free
- Directly certified for Medicaid Reduced
- Directly certified for TANF, Foster, FDPIR, Migrant, Homeless, Head Start/ECEAP
- Eligible for free meals; paper applications with case numbers and foster child
- Eligible for free meals; paper application – household size and income
- Eligible for reduced-price meals – household size and income
Prior to February 1 Complete and submit the Verification Summary Report
Questions about the verification process? Please contact your program specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 25, CACFP 14, SFSP 14-2020: Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Operations through December 2020.
Highlights
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Question #6 - If an SFA that opts to participate under COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #56 served meals through NSLP/SBP between the beginning of the school year 2020-2021 and December 31, 2020, may they claim those meals under SFSP/SSO instead?
- Yes, SFAs which have been approved to participated in SSO/SFSP pursuant to Waiver #56 may claim meals served under SFSP or SSO rather than through NSLP/SBP.
- Meals would be reimbursed at the Free rate.
- However, any student who paid for their meals must receive a refund for the meal payments.
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Question #11 - If an SFA opts to participate under the non-congregate waivers for breakfast, is the SFA required to offer non-congregate meals for lunch?
- No. However, if schools have elected to implement the non-congregate waiver they must offer the same meals to every enrolled student whether they attend virtually or in person.
- This is consistent with the response to Question #1 of SP 24, CACFP 13, SFSP 13-2020.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Is Your District Planning to Operate SFSP or SSO This Fall?
Last week we shared important information that sponsors should complete if they are planning to operate Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through December 2020.
Renewal Details
October 1, 2020, marks a new program year - here's what to do:
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Complete your SFSP/ SSO Meal Distribution Survey by October 1, 2020.
- A link to the survey is provided in the checklists.
- Program operators should fill out the MDP Survey based on current meal distribution methods.
- We understand during this public health emergency that sponsors’ meal service models may change. Program operators should re-submit their MDP survey as their meal distribution models are updated.
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Use the SFSP/SSO Checklists to help you complete the application and MDP Survey
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Complete Your WINS Applications
- For current Summer Meal Program Sponsors - submit your SY19-20 Application & Calendar revisions by September 30, 2020.
- For New and Returning Summer Meal Program Sponsors - Submit your SY 20-21 SFSP/ SSO Application by October 31, 2020.
- Applications submitted late may not be approved in time to receive reimbursement for meals for the first month of operation.
- NSLP/SBP Public School Districts and Private Schools
- Submit your NSLP/ SBP Application by October 31, 2020.
- Please review NSLP/SBP renewal reminders.
- Since you are participating in SFSP or SSO, you do not need to complete the NSLP Meal Distribution Plan Survey at this time.
- Applications submitted late may not be approved in time to receive reimbursement for meals for the first month of operation.
Have Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Families Incorrectly Denied - Submit to CNS by Sept. 22
Also, please remember to continue tracking the student information for any eligible families who contact your district that have applied for benefits but were incorrectly denied the benefits.
If a student was eligible for free or reduced-price meals sometime between last March and June and they were enrolled in a K-12 school where they had access to meals through the National School Lunch Program, they are eligible for P-EBT.
Continue to follow these instructions for documentation and let us know at child.nutrition@k12.wa.us when you have done so.
By completing this, you will be ensuring students receive these important benefits.
Please email child.nutrition@k12.wa.us when you have updated student logs in WINS.
We have two online trainings scheduled for the remainder of the year!
OSPI and PrimeroEdge are working together to offer Menu Planning Nutrient Analysis (MPNA) software and training at no cost to districts.
Join us for either 2-day session:
- October 20 & 21
- November 19 & 20
Visit our PrimeroEdge MPNA software website to request a demo to sign up for training.
This software is USDA-approved for nutrient analysis to meet the school meal program requirements and will help you manage ingredients, create recipes, create cycle menus, and more!
With this software you’ll be able to:
- Manage ingredients and link to stock items
- Create recipes and add them to your menus
- Create custom menus and cycle menus
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Child nutrition sponsors with Food Service Management Companies (FSMC) and those with inter-district agreements are required to complete and submit a Financial Information Report (Form 1505) annually.
The financial information gathered in Form 1505 is used to complete the 1800 Report. The 1800 Report is a compilation of reports and statistics for public schools to evaluate the performance of their food service operations.
Form 1505 records the distribution of FSMC expenditures for school fiscal year ending August 31, 2020.
The report is due by December 31, 2020 and must be submitted to Jeff Booth.
Renewal Application Deadline Extended Until 10/31!
Last month, released a CNS Update detailing important information regarding NSLP renewal for SY20-21.
Important Reminders
- You must submit your WINS application AND Meal Distribution Plan for your renewal application to be considered complete. We recommend to utilize the NSLP/SBP MDP Sponsor Checklist to help you meet each step.
- Review the applicable bulletins and addendum released for detailed renewal information.
- Application due dates:
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Sponsors Who Contract Meals
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
New USDA Guidance on At-Risk Meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP25, CACFP14, SFSP14-2020: Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through December 2020.
Question #2 clarifies that Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At- Risk programs may operate at the same time as SFSP programs.
- Children should not exceed the number of meals allowable for each program.
- At Risk programs should coordinate with Schools on what meals are served and when.
- At Risk meals can only be distributed after the school day has ended.
Eligibility for FY21
CACFP At-Risk sponsors meeting program requirements can establish eligibility at sites when it falls in the attendance area of a school that has at least 50% of their students eligible for Free and Reduced-Price meals using current October building data.
New this year, At Risk Programs may establish area eligibility by using building data from any of the past 12 months. If a month other than October is used, sponsors will need to upload documentation into the site application “documents” section. Documentation could include eligibility data provided by email correspondence or a documented conversation with the school district representative.
Reminders:
Sponsors interested in operating At Risk Afterschool Meals have important steps to take for this fall. Last week, we sent out important reminders regarding the operation of this program.
- Interested sponsors must complete the At Risk Pre-Qualification Survey. This survey will help interested organizations determine if they are eligible to participate in the CACFP At Risk program in the upcoming year.
- At Risk Meals Recorded Webinar: If you were unable to join OSPI CNS for the CACFP Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Weekly Call last Thursday, we discussed important information regarding At-Risk programs. View the recording here.
- Annual Training for Community At-Risk Sponsors: At Risk Afterschool Meals Program Sponsors must attend Annual Training specific to this program.
With the new USDA waiver release, we are transitioning our webinars to focus on schools and community organizations that will start the year with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Districts offering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are encouraged to join as well.
Register Here
Date: Wednesdays through November 4, 2020
Time: 2 - 3 pm PT
Please hold a space on your calendar on Wednesdays from 2 - 3 pm PT. Reminder emails with your link to log into the session are sent 1 hour before the session starts.
Weekly follow up emails with a copy of the slides are sent to everyone registered for the session, even if they did not attend. We will not be posting recordings to the CNS webpages due to rapidly changing information .
Please keep an eye out in your inbox for these emails, if you do not see them in your inbox please check your SPAM box.
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 This year is going to look different, but we can still celebrate National School Lunch Week (NSLW)! This year’s theme is Now Playing: School Lunch.
Why participate?
- Increase participation.
- Spread the message to parents that you’re serving healthy, delicious lunch at school.
- Earn media coverage from local papers, TV stations, and bloggers.
- Connect with teachers and administrators at your school or in your district to spread the word that school meals are healthy and delicious.
How to participate?
Share With Us!
We look forward to seeing your celebrations! Use #OSPIChildNutrition and #NSLW20 on all your social media posts and join the conversation!
Want to be featured in a CNS Highlight? Send pictures and stories of your NSLW celebrations to Samantha Brueske!
USDA Strawberries
Due to a poor crop this year for strawberries, vendors are not able to completely fill contract obligations because of national demand. Please expect potential shortages for frozen strawberry slices (110860 and 100254) and frozen whole strawberries (110846) with the possibility of the Strawberry cups as well (100256)
USDA Tuna Products
USDA orders have been delayed for August – September. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, inspectors have been unable travel which has delayed production. It appears production will not potentially resume until October which means product wouldn’t deliver until early December-February 2021 to WA warehouses.
USDA Turkey Deliveries
One of the turkey vendors, Cargill, was late on deliveries for July 31-August 31 for Turkey Roast and Turkey Deli (100122, 100125, 110554 and 110910). Please expect possible delays.
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Do you need to change delivery information?
If you need to update or change your delivery location address, contact person, or contact information you must complete the Delivery Updates Form to notify OSPI Food Distribution.
Note: Please allow as least 30 days for changes to occur.
Questions? Please email the Food Distribution Office.
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September 23
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SY20-21 Food Service Operations for NSLP and SFSP Sponsors Weekly Webinar - Register Here
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September 29
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Last day to submit your July claims! 60-Day Claim Deadline
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September 30
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Due Date for SY19-20 SFSP/ SSO Revisions
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October 1
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SFSP/ SSO Meal Distribution Plan Due
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October 31
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Due Date for SY20-21 SFSP/ SSO Applications
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October 31
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NSLP/SBP Public/ Private Schools Renewal Applications Due! Make sure to complete all the required steps!
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