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Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released CACFP 09-2021, SP 10-2021, SFSP 05-2021: Questions and Answers Regarding Child Nutrition Program Oversight, Administration, and Reporting During COVID-19.
This memo provides clarification on questions related to oversight, procurement, monitoring, and administration in Child Nutrition Programs.
- Questions 1–3, and 18 relate to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Questions 19–21 review important purchasing and procurement information.
A link to the memo will be published on the OSPI COVID-19 Nutrition and Meals Guidance webpage, under the 'USDA COVID-19 Nationwide Policy Memos and Waivers' dropdown when it becomes available.
Please review the full memo for more details.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) are hosting a webinar to share information from the updated Child Care Guidance.
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Child Care Providers Updates Webinar - English
Monday, May 10 from 1–2 pm PT
Join Live Here
Access Code: 133 246 0086
Password: dcyf21
Call-in Number: 1.360.810.3022
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Child Care Providers Updates Webinar - Spanish
Monday, May 10 from 6–7 pm PT
Join Live Here
Access Code: 133 909 4640
Password: dcyf21
Call-in Number: 1.360.810.3022
DOH will answer questions related to this guidance as time allows. Please feel free to bring your questions and share your concerns.
Questions? Please email dcyf.communityengagement@dcyf.wa.gov.
The April Claim Due Date falls on Saturday, May 15. Child Nutrition Services staff will be available until 5pm on Friday, May 14, to assist with claim errors or questions.
WINS will be available to input claims until 5:00 pm PT, Saturday, May 15. At 5:00pm, WINS will log sponsors out in order to prepare to run the monthly payment process.
Best Practice - Submit claims early in case an error comes up and you need assistance. We will have staff available until Friday, May 14, at 5:00 pm PT.
General Claiming Reminders
- Monthly claim data must be in "OK to Pay" status by 5:00 pm PT on the 15th.
- Didn't submit your claim by the 15th? That's okay! Submit your monthly claim by the 60-day deadline.
- Errors must be resolved for claims to be paid. WINS has multiple edit checks to help resolve issues before your claim is submitted.
- Pro-Tip: Always select “Preview Errors” at the bottom of each site claim once information is entered.
For more detailed reminders and resources, please review the Claim Reminder in our February Update.
Have Questions? Please contact Hydie Kidd, Fiscal Supervisor, or Pam Fravel, Fiscal Analyst.
In the past couple of newsletters, we shared information about internet browsers that best support program operators as they work in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS). This message provides additional information and clarification.
About Internet Browsers
An internet browser or web browser is a software program used to access the internet and view webpages. Examples include Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge. Most browsers are available free. They offer features such as security and instant loading times.
Browsers affect your experience using the internet. Your organization may require use of a certain browser or require you to check in with the IT department before downloading and using a different browser. Your organization likely chooses a browser because it best supports your organization's IT systems.
What Browsers Work Best for WINS?
Child Nutrition Services IT systems, like WINS, are developed for certain browsers. The browser you choose will affect your experience. For the best user experience such as loading pages and speed, we recommend to use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome as your internet browser.
Other browsers may work however when problems arise, CNS may not be able to troubleshoot the problem and our solution will be to change browser to Edge or Chrome.
Lunch n’ Learn webinars are short, concise, “power sessions” on specific CACFP-related topics. Most of the topics are based on sponsor suggestions and we will be presenting a different one each month through September!
Register Here
Date: Wednesday, May 26
Time: 1:30–2:00 pm PT
During this webinar we will discuss:
- Compliance Requirements for Annual Staff Training
- How to make the most out of conducting staff training through planning and execution
- Best practices for both independent centers and sponsoring organizations
- Staff Training Resources
- Questions and Answers
Have you noticed 1% and fat free milk have been in short supply?
There has been a significant delay in milk deliveries, missed deliveries, and canceled orders in Washington State as a new warehouse is set up for distribution.
Milk shortages seem to be impacting fat-free and 1% milk varieties, while 2% and whole milk are available.
CACFP Allowable Milk Options:
- 1 year old: Whole Milk
- 2 year old and older: Fat-Free, Low-Fat (1%)
- Flavored Milk: Must be fat-free and only allowed for children ages 6 and up
What Do You Need To Do?
The Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) provides the state agency information about which waivers you intend to use.
If you have not been able to provide CACFP allowable milk options to the appropriate age group (fat free or 1%), but you have been able to provide other milk varieties (2%, whole milk, or flavored milk that is not fat free or flavored milk to children under the age of 6) you must inform OSPI CNS.
Note: If you have submitted an MDP or MDP Update Survey that includes the Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver for milk fat percentage, no action is required.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of several nationwide waivers that apply to School Meal Programs. Please review our 4/26 Weekly Newsletter for more details.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
CACFP specialists are hosting office hours in the coming months. These meetings may be conducted as facilitated discussions highlighting several topic areas, or as a platform for Questions & Answers and open dialogue.
Office hours are meant to be a safe space to learn more about CACFP operations from discussion topics or from the questions other sponsors bring forward. You are welcome to bring your questions or just plan to listen in.
Register to attend an upcoming session!
- Megan Harlan – Open Q and A
May 6, 9–10 am
- Tina Bischoff – Open Q and A
May 11, 2:30–4:30 pm
- Jeannette Green – Open Q and A
May 18, 1–2 pm
- Kendra Vandree – Open Q and A & Networking
May 18, 2–3 pm
- Molly Gleason – Open Q and A
May 20, 12:30–1:30 pm
- Terri Adolfson – Infant Meals
May 24, 2:00–3:30 pm
- Jessica Condron – Open Q and A
May 24, 10–11 am
- Nicki Christoferson – Open Q and A
May 27, 2:30–3:30 pm
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 center per training. We will be offering sessions more than once so there will be more opportunities to attend later in the year.
Trainings
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Infant Meal Pattern Requirements - This training reviews requirements for serving infants in the CACFP, including: changes to the updated infant meal pattern charts and requirements for serving breastmilk and infant formula, strategies that support infants and their developmental readiness for solid foods, and requirements for serving more nutritious solid foods to infants.
Sign-Up Here for the May 4 class (5 spots available)
Sign-Up Here for the May 6 class (13 spots available)
Time: 12–4 pm PT
Registration Information
Participants register for the training using the pdEnroller platform.
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Each participant must have their own 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.
- Make sure to edit your profile to include your STARS ID to make getting your STARS credits easier!
- 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.
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Can't Attend?
- Log into your account.
- Select your name in the upper right hand corner.
- Click on 'My Events'.
- Upcoming events appear at the top of your screen, you should see the class and a 'Cancel Registration' button.
- You can cancel your registration at any time using pdEnroller.
- 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:
- The ICN requires a minimum of 15 registrants per session to conduct the training. If there are not a minimum of 15 registrants, the training will be canceled.
- There is a limit of 25 participants for each session.
Have Questions? Please email Samantha Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has an unprecedented opportunity to improve access to fruits and vegetables for Washington's low-income families.
From June through September, the American Relief Plan Act more than doubles WIC’s cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, to $35.00 per participant.
How Can You Help?
The Department of Health is asking your help to get the message out about this increase to the families you serve and to encourage them to apply for WIC benefits if they aren’t currently participants.
This increased benefit is only for four months, and every family in Washington who is eligible for WIC can take full advantage of this opportunity.
Join the Webinar to Learn More
Join WIC for a webinar! During the webinar they will: provide and overview of WIC, discuss how the benefits work, and how you can help spread the word.
Register Here
Date: Thursday, May 6
Time: 1:00–2:15 pm PT
To learn more about WIC, visit the Washington State Department of Health's WIC webpage.
The following worksheets Feeding Infants Using Ounce Equivalents and Crediting Store-Bought Combination Baby Foods worksheets were developed by USDA to assist CACFP Sponsors in determining:
- The amounts of grains needed to meet CACFP infant meal pattern requirements.
- How to use ounce equivalents instead of “servings” when planning menus.
- Which infant combination foods are creditable.
- How to credit components in combination baby foods.
Both resources are available in English and Spanish.
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April 27
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Lunch n' Learn: CACFP Lunch n’ Learn: Infant Meal Records
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April 29
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February Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim!
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June 23
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FY21-22 CACFP Annual Updates Webinar for Child Care, At-Risk (Community), and Family Day Care Home Sponsors - Register Here!
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July 15
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FY21-22 CACFP Annual Updates for Adult Care Centers posted in Moodle
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