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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 1–7 relate to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
- 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.
Required Annual Training - Register Now!
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Returning SFSP Sponsors Updates for Summer 2021
- For organizations that operated SFSP in Summer 2020 but did not operate SFSP during SY 20–21
- If you are currently operating the SFSP, you do not need to attend this session. Please ensure to register for the May 5 Bi-Weekly Webinar.
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Register Here
Date: Tuesday, May 4
Time: 9–10 am PT
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Sponsors Continuing SFSP Operation through Summer 2021 Updates – For organizations that operated SFSP in SY 20–21.
Register Here for our regular Bi-Weekly Webinar
Date: Wednesday, May 5
Time: 2–3 pm PT
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New SFSP Sponsor Training for Summer 2021 – For organizations and administrators that did not operate SFSP in summer 2020 AND did not operate SFSP during SY 20–21.
- This training occurred on April 22 and was recorded.
- We are working on closed captioning this training and will post it to the SFSP Annual Training Moodle course.
- A CNS Update will be released when this training becomes available.
Complete Your Summer 2021 Application
Application Materials Include:
Additional application materials can be found on the SFSP Program Materials/Forms webpage.
Questions? Contact your Program Specialist or email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
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.
OSPI CNS invites you to participate in Farm to Summer Week- July 12–16.
Join us for the How to Participate in Farm to Summer and Celebrate Farm to Summer Week Lunch n’ Learn!
Register Here
Date: Thursday, May 13
Time: 1:30–2:00 pm PT
Did you Know?
- Including fresh, local foods in the menus increases meal quality and supports local farmers.
- Incorporating nutrition and agriculture enrichment activities into meals service has been shown to increase kids’ willingness to try new foods.
During this webinar we will discuss:
- What Farm to Summer is
- How it benefits your program
- How to participate
- Ways to easily locate local foods
- How to incorporate enrichment activities
- Ways you can start planning now!
Questions? Contact kendra.vandree@k12.wa.us
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
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FSMC & Vended Sponsors – Correct your SFSP Average Daily Attendance (ADA) Before Claiming
- Meals claimed in excess of the CAP count for a site will result in a claim error. SFSP sponsors must make Average Daily Attendance (ADA) revisions prior to submitting monthly claims. Specialists must approve revisions before claims can process for payment.
- Revised ADA's will not be approved for claims that go into error status due to meals claimed over the approved CAP.
- Compare the Average Number of Meals to the approved CAP. If the Average exceeds the CAP, increase the ADA in your site calendar and email your Program Specialist.
- Here is a quick equation to determine whether the ADA should be revised: Total Meals Served / Number of Operating Days = Average Number of Meals per day.
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Working with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) or Vendor? FSMCs and Vended Sponsors cannot be reimbursed for any meals above the 120% of the ADA. Update the ADA prior to submitting the claim for the excess meals to be reimbursed.
- 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.
As you are planning your summer operation, now is the time to reach out to other sponsors who may be operating in your community! Sponsors who participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) must coordinate with other sponsors to ensure efforts are not duplicated. Under SFSP, two meals may be served and claimed each day. If children are already receiving two meals from a program sponsor, an additional two meals may not be served and claimed under SFSP by another sponsor.
In Washington, some school districts are required to offer a summer meal program. Check in with your local school district to learn what their summer plans are!
To learn who also may be operating in your community, please reference USDA’s Capacity Builder or contact OSPI.
Questions? Contact your Program Specialist or email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
Have you noticed milk has 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.
Note: Under SFSP, whole, 2%, 1%, fat-free, buttermilk, lactose-reduced, and acidophilus are all creditable.
What Do You Need To Do?
If you are unable to receive an adequate quantity of creditable milk for meal services, please contact your Program Specialist to request a Meal Pattern Waiver.
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.
Promoting Summer Meal Sites to the Community in Washington State
This summer, OSPI will be promoting SFSP meal sites through No Kid Hungry and the USDA Summer Meals4Kids Site Finder.
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USDA Resources
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Summer Meals Locator- Promote this tool in English or Spanish.
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USDA National Hunger Hotline- can be reached Monday–Friday
- Families can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)
- For Spanish, families can call 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)
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No Kid Hungry Resources
Information About Uploads
- OSPI reports meal times and locations of all OPEN sites
- Keep the Site Applications and Site Calendars up to date
- USDA will post Summer Meals Sites beginning on May 6, 2021
- Updates are sent weekly to USDA
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
This week's Bi-Weekly call will include updates and information as usual- however the tail end of the meeting will be dedicated to sponsors electing to continue Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) operations this summer.
Register Here
Dates: Every other Wednesday through 6/30/2021
Time: 2–3 pm 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
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Follow up emails will no longer be sent after the meeting. If you missed our last webinar, you can review the recording from our 4/21 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.
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May 4
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Returning SFSP Sponsors Updates for Summer 2021-
Register Here
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May 5
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Sponsors Continuing SFSP Operation through Summer 2021 Updates - Register Here
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May 5
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Nourish Myself... Thyme for Me Webinar - 4pm PT - Register Here
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May 7
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Child Nutrition Hero Day! How are you celebrating?
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May 10
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Anticipated date of Annual Trainings to be uploaded into the SFSP Annual Training Moodle course.
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| May 14 |
Get your April claims in early in case you need assistance! CNS Staff will be available until 5pm PT! |
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May 15
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April Claims due in WINS
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June 1
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March Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim!
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