|
Whether you were able join us during Friday's live webinar or not, we want to ensure you receive important information to get Pandemic EBT rolling.
Although we are awaiting final USDA approval, we are moving forward with implementation planning. We want to get assistance to families in need as soon as possible!
Watch the Recorded Webinar
Public, Private, Tribal, and Charter Schools are encouraged to review this webinar. You will play an important role in ensuring families in your school receive PEBT benefits and getting information out to families. Watch the recording here for what to expect and next steps.
Join us during our next Bi-Weekly call for additional P-EBT information.
Communications Toolkit Coming Soon
Promotional items are coming soon. Items include:
- Flyer
- Letters to families (can be used as emails or as robocall text)
- Social media graphics and post ideas
Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates with additional information.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted OSPI Child Nutrition Services’ request to waive SY 20-21 Administrative Review Requirements. Upon approval of the waiver, OSPI must continue to conduct oversight and provide technical assistance to ensure program integrity upon approval of this waiver. One of these activities includes an off-site technical assistance (TA) visit.
The purpose of the TA visit is to support sponsors with program operations and waiver implementation. TA visits will be conducted through a Zoom meeting and should not take more than two hours.
There will be no corrective action or fiscal action associated with these visits.
Visits will result in Specialist recommendations and the sharing of resources and best practices. However, claim revisions may be required if meal counting and claiming issues are identified.
A risk-based approach was used to identify sponsors for these TA visits. Risk factors included:
- Complexity of Meal Distribution Plan
- Significant findings or fiscal action from previous reviews
- Operation of multiple Child Nutrition Programs
- New Sponsors
- Significant % Change in Meals Served
Not all program operators will receive a TA visit. Program Specialists will contact the identified sponsors in the next few weeks to schedule your Technical Assistance Visits.
We appreciate the dedication of each sponsor as they continue to provide the children of Washington State with nutritious meals during this unprecedented time.
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
The Consolidated Appropriations and COVID Stimulus and Relief Bill passed Section 722 on December 28, 2020. This section includes funding for CNP program operators for the purpose of covering emergency operating costs incurred during the public health emergency.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 06-2021, CACFP 05-2021:Child Nutrition Program Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies. This memo includes the formula for calculating benefits.
Funds are available for sponsors who experienced a significant drop in claim reimbursement in March, April, May, and June 2020 due to the pandemic.
Calculation of Funds
-
For April through June = 2019 Claim – 2020 Claim x .55%
-
For March= 2019 Claim – 2020 Claim x .55%, divided by 2
Next Steps
OSPI Child Nutrition Services must submit an implementation plan to USDA for approval before funds may be issued. Calculations will be done by Child Nutrition Services and automatically issued to sponsors. No action is required by sponsors.
Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates for more details as they become available.
Have Questions? Please email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services (CNS) released B097-20 Disclosure of Free & Reduced-Price Eligibility Information.
This bulletin provides information about sharing eligibility information according to USDA regulations and confidentiality rules. Please read the bulletin in full for more details.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Join Us For Our New Bi-Weekly Webinar Series!
During these webinars OSPI CNS will discuss hot topics, highlight important reminders, and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Register Here
Dates: Every other Wednesday through 6/30/2021
Time: 2 - 3pm PT
Program operators offering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/ School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the 20-21 school year are encouraged to join us for these webinars.
Reminders
-
Follow up emails will no longer be sent after the meeting. If you missed our last webinar, you can review the recording from our 2/10 meeting here.
- Save us on Your Calendar! When you register, there is an option to add us to your calendar at the bottom of the confirmation email.
- A reminder email with your link to log into the webinar is sent 1 hour before the session starts.
|
Child Nutrition Services (CNS) invited the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) to conduct several FREE trainings over the coming year. These sessions can be attended by any food services staff, and they offer Professional Standards.
There is a limit of 2 participants from each district per training. We will be offering sessions more than once so there will be more opportunities to attend later in the year.
Steps to Take
Participants register for the training using the pdEnroller platform.
-
Keep your confirmation email.
- This email is your portal to the training session and additional handouts for the training.
- Pro Tip: You can add events to your calendar via the event page, this way your Zoom access link is available from your calendar.
-
Waitlist Participants:
- PdEnroller notifies CNS of the number of interested participants and automatically creates a waitlist when the session is filled.
- If someone cancels their attendance, pdEnroller automatically notifies the next person on the waitlist and gives them an opportunity to register - keep an eye out in your emails.
IMPORTANT:
There is a limit of 25 participants for each session. Each participant must have their own pdEnroller account to register.
Trainings
-
Food Allergies - This training includes information about food allergies, food intolerance, reading food labels, avoiding cross contact, accommodating students with food allergies, and educating the school community about food allergies. Participants will great a food allergy management plan.
Sign-Up Here*
Date: Thursday, February 25
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
-
Nutrition 101 - This 8-hour course provides a basic overview of nutrition with an emphasis on the importance of balance in daily food choices and the inclusion of physical activity.
Sign-Up Here*
Dates: Wednesday, March 3 & Thursday, March 4
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
-
Food Safety Basics - This session is designed to provide a basic understanding of food safety. Lessons include methods for training staff, how to prevent foodborne illness, and resources for monitoring.
Sign-Up Here*
Date: Thursday, March 18
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
-
Foundations for Training Excellence: Basics - This training focuses on how to design and deliver effective training.
Sign-Up Here*
Date: Tuesday, April 6
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
-
Training Culturally Diverse Groups - This training is designed to help you develop your skills to effectively deliver trainings to culturally diverse groups.
Sign-Up Here*
Date: Thursday, April 8
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
*Note: You may have to register for a pdEnroller account to sign up for the training if you do not have one currently. You may use this link to create an account, if needed.
Have Questions? Please email Samantha Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
The EPA has a grant opportunity!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) from eligible entities to improve community health, resilience, and/or sustainability through pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management implementation.
EPA Region 10 anticipates awarding approximately 2–4 grants totaling $120,000. Grant awards range from $30,000 to $60,000.
Submit your electronic application through grants.gov by Friday, April 30, 8:59 pm PT.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Region 10 states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska), local governments, city or township governments
- Independent school district governments
- State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Non-profit organizations
- Community-based grassroots organizations
- Federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia
Interested in Applying?
You can find the grant request for applications on grants.gov.
This year our Pre-order Survey contains five W-code items that are currently pending an accepted vendor.
Even though a vendor has yet to be accepted, this was the best way to gauge interest and secure availability. These items will be tasted and scored by our advisory council members prior to acceptance of a new vendor. Please feel confident a quality product will be offered.
W-Codes Pending Vendor
W112 Beef Pasta w/Sauce Bowl IW
W136 Beef Taco Meat, Cooked
W217 Chicken Rice w/Sauce Bowl IW
W300 Turkey Rice or Noodles Bowl IW
W534 Macaroni & Cheese Bowl, IW
Questions? Please email Marlon Hopkins or call 360-725-6204.
|
What is the Pre-Order Survey?
The Pre-Order Survey is an annual requirement for all participating USDA Food Distribution sponsors. The survey is your commitment of what you plan to order during the upcoming 2021-22 school year. The survey also tells OSPI Food Distribution how much and what types of foods to order through USDA for the entire 2021 School Year.
Who must complete the survey?
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who plan to operate in SY 2021-22 must complete the Pre-Order Survey in anticipation of returning to 'traditional' operations next year.
Please complete this survey with what you forecast needing in the upcoming school year. We can cancel orders at a later date if LEAs do not need the foods, but cannot add LEAs if they do not complete the survey now.
What do you have to do?
Complete your pre-order survey as soon as possible in CNP Web Log-in ! The survey opens on February 8 and closes on February 26.
Here's some helpful tools:
Product Information Sheets
Questions on completing your survey? Email Marlon Hopkins or call 360-725-6204.
|
| February 16-17 |
WSNA Industry Conference and Food Show - Register Here
|
| February 24 |
Bi-Weekly Food Service Operations for NSLP and SFSP Sponsors Webinar - Register Here
|
| February 26 |
Pre-Order Survey Closes in CNP |
| February 26 |
DoD Enrollment Survey Closes |
|
March 1
|
December Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your December Claims!
|
|
