Sponsors will not need to complete the Verification Summary Report (VSR) in WINS for SY 20–21.
Reminders
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All Sponsors operating SFSP/SSO or NSLP in SY 20–21, verification must have been completed by February 28, though the report will not be submitted.
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Sponsors operating NSLP in SY 20–21
- Reminder: All NSLP/SBP sponsors will continue to see the current claim go into error status since the VSR report has not been submitted.
The OSPI CNS fiscal team will continue to override the claim error in regard to the VSR report. Thank you for your patience.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #97- Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Administrative Reviews of School Food Authorities Operating Only the Seamless Summer Option in School Year (SY) 2021-2022.
This waiver allows State Agencies to ensure the provision of meals with appropriate safety measures. State Agencies may:
- Conduct administrative reviews that meet all review criteria are applicable to SSO and are to be counted towards review cycle requirements.
- Review requirement flexibilities as outlined in the memo will help ensure that students receive much needed safe, nutritious, and healthy meals and snacks throughout the school day during the current public health emergency.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
CEP Applications open in WINS June 7th!
We have been working with the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) team to correct a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) application error. We are happy to announce that the application is opening on June 7, 2021!
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Unfamiliar with CEP?
You can explore our CEP webpage and read our CEP Reference Sheet.
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Unsure if your schools are eligible for CEP?
You can look at the 2020-21 CEP-Eligible LEA & School Report to get an idea if your schools will be eligible.
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SY21–22 Deadlines
USDA released COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #82, which allows flexibility for the date for calculating the Identified Student Percentage (ISP), and an extension for the deadline to apply for CEP .
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Data used to calculate ISP- Use dates any time between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
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Application deadline- August 31, 2021.
Questions? Please contact your Program Specialist.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has implemented new matching software for Education Data System (EDS) applications like the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS).
Beginning June 3, 2021, the Direct Certification System will utilize the new software to match data from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) with CEDARS data for the purposes of directly certifying students for free or reduced-price meals.
The new software, Metaphone, uses variations in spelling and other parameters to better match names.
There are no changes to processes at the local education agency level. The system will look the same, since Metaphone works in the background of the system.
The system will continue to display exact matches, near matches, and the student search feature.
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Exact Match
The student meets matching parameters as an exact match and student is shown on the direct certification list.
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Near Match
The student is not an exact match, only some matching parameters are met.
- Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must use district information to “confirm” the DSHS information matches enrollment information.
- LEAs should access the near match list and resolve all near matches before accessing the district list. Resolved near matches become exact matches and will show up on the district list.
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Student Search
The unmatched list provides a list of students with matching parameters not close enough to exact match or near match, allowing the system user to search and match using information known to the district.
LEAs utilizing these three options will maximize system capabilities and meet requirements to directly certify students for free and reduced price meals.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Coding SY20–21 Summer Food School Program (SFSP) reimbursements to Program 98 vs Program 89
After discussions and input from districts, we are providing updated guidance and information. This guidance is effective retroactively to the beginning of the current school year, September 1, 2020.
Transfer Reimbursements from Code 89 to Code 98
OSPI is modifying revenue classifications on the Apportionment Report. SFSP reimbursements will be reclassified as a variation of Revenue Code 6198 School Food Services. School districts should transfer all prior 2020–21 SFSP revenue, originally coded 6189 O COMM SERV to revenue code 6198 School Food Services.
Food Service Expenditures
All 2020–21 school district food service expenditures should be accounted for in Program 98 School Food Services. This includes all SFSP activities. SFSP expenditures must be accounted for in Program 98. School districts must correct any SFSP accounting entries made during the year which transferred costs to Program 89. All costs must stay in Program 98.
This change in the SFSP accounting process is effective from the beginning of the school year, September 1, 2020.
Update to Guidance for SY 20-21
- SFSP revenue (reimbursements) were deposited to Revenue 6189
- Transfer SFSP reimbursements from Revenue 6189 to Revenue 6198
- Retain all Food Service expenditures (including SFSP) in Program 98
Changes for SY 21-22
- All USDA Child Nutrition Program reimbursements will be deposited to Program 98
- All expenditures related to USDA Child Nutrition Programs should remain in Program 98
Questions?
For SAFS questions, please email Paul Stone.
For CNS questions, please email Hydie Kidd.
Summer P-EBT is anticipated to be available for ALL students eligible for free and reduced-price meals who are enrolled in a school (as of June 2021) that typically offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Schools are considered “closed” during the summer months.
More Information on Summer P-EBT
During the webinar we discussed the final upload, and summer P-EBT benefits.
Watch the recording here! | Slide Printout
Summer Months Upload Information
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May 24 – June 14: P-EBT Upload Portal Open
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Data Needed: Student Eligibility for all students F/R Eligible in SY 20-21 and enrolled in your district in June 2021.
- Include graduating seniors.
- Include schools that did not upload during year because students were on campus.
- No school level benefit information needed—this is a statewide benefit amount.
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Upload Classification: “Summer”
Communications Coming Soon!
New and updated communication materials are being prepared. In the meantime, we recommend districts to encourage families to make sure their address is up to date and to submit free and reduced-price meal applications before the end of the school year.
Districts can use the ‘It’s More Than a Meal Application’ toolkit to encourage families returning meal applications. This resource is located on the NSLP Meal Application and Verification webpage, under the ‘It’s More Than a Meal Application Toolkit’ dropdown.
Stay Up To Date
To stay up to date about P-EBT, we recommend to follow the Washington State DSHS Facebook page for additional updates and answers to questions.
For additional information, please refer to the FAQ on dshs.wa.gov/PEBT or call the P-EBT Contact Center at 833-518-0282.
See you on 6/2 for our next Bi-Weekly Call for 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 SY20–21 .
Register Here
Dates: Every other Wednesday through 6/30/2021
Time: 2–3 pm PT
Reminders
- The 5/19 Bi-Weekly Webinar focused on School Meal Program operations in SY21–22. Watch the Recording Here! | Slide Printout
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Follow up emails are not sent after the meeting. If you missed the previous webinar, you can watch the recording from our 5/5 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.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
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The Washington State Farm to School & Scratch Cooking Institutes will be a professional development opportunity for child nutrition program food service staff. We encourage ECE administrators, educators, and other partners to develop your farm to apply! The focus of this training will be to use more local, Washington grown foods in scratch-made meals.
Whether starting or expanding your farm to school efforts, the Institutes’ two-day intensive will provide training from expert trainers and guest speakers to assist in the development of Farm to School Action Plans. Regular cohort support check-in calls will also be conducted through fall 2021.
Read more & apply here! Applications are due June 11, 2021.
Locations
- August 19-20 – Tribal & Traditional School Foods Institute
- August 23-24 – Central & Eastern Washington Institute
- August 26-27 – Western Washington Institute
Cost
Attending the institute is free for school district or ECE staff and partners within Washington State, thanks to the support of a USDA Farm to School Grant.
Questions? Please email Chris Iberle, WSDA Farm to School Lead at or call 206-714-2757
Fill out the SY20-21 Carryover form between June 1 through June 18!
Sponsors who use diversions can request carryover of this year's processor pounds by submitting the Carryover Request Form. Sponsors will have the entire 2021-22 school year to utilize awarded carryover pounds. Carryover is not automatic, requests must be submitted if you would like to use pounds next year.
Submit Your Carryover Request Form Here
Reclaiming Diverted USDA Foods Reference Sheet
Note: Carryover is not automatic, requests must be submitted if you would like to roll forward your pounds
Questions? Please email Trisha Santee or call 360-725-6204.
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Make plans to be in office!
August orders open Wednesday, July 7, and will close Wednesday, July 14, at 4 pm.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, July 15 at 1pm for groups 1 - 3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, July 16, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the SY21–22 Order and Delivery Schedule.
Ordering
- To place an order - log-in to CNP Web.
- Your Food Distribution Application must be completed (including certified and submitted) before you can place an order.
- Ordering Instructions
- Reminder:
The Ordering and Receiving webpage has multiple resources to assist you in placing your ordering including; instructions, order and distribution schedule.
Important Reminders
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Confirmation of USDA Foods If you’re scheduled to receive a USDA Foods Delivery, you should receive an appointment confirmation from the carrier. Please remember to reply to the carrier confirming receipt of appointment.
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To update or change your delivery contact person, please complete the Delivery Updates Form.
Questions? Please email the Food Distribution Office or call 360-725-6204.
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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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June 2
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Bi-Weekly Webinar | Register Here
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June 14
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Annual Food Distribution Sponsor Application Due in CNP Web.
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June 15
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May Claims Due in WINS.
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July 7–14
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August Order Period Open in CNP Web.
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August 11
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SY21-22 NSLP Annual Updates Webinar - Register Here
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