October Must be Used as the Study Month
Previously, OSPI Child Nutrition Services allowed study months to be conducted in July, August, and September of a previous fiscal year and made effective in October of the next fiscal year. Effective for Fiscal Year 2022–23 (FY 23), study months must be conducted in October to set the rate of reimbursement for the current fiscal year.
If Sites are Closed in October:
- The study month is the month those sites become operational.
- In special circumstances where sites become operational mid-month, a shorter study month may be allowed. Contact your CACFP specialist for more information.
Changing Your Study Month:
Conducting a new study month during the fiscal year may be appropriate when changes to enrollment result in greater free and reduced-price participation. Sponsors may update their study month one (1) time per fiscal year. Sponsor will be required to add a note in WINS explaining the reason for a study month change.
Please Note
- If an updated study month is conducted, it must be conducted at all sites. For this reason, program sponsors should assess the anticipated change in reimbursement at all sites.
- If there is a not a notable change with the new study month, consider waiting for another month that may significantly change the rate of reimbursement.
Coming Soon! A study month worksheet has been created to help sponsors calculate the difference in reimbursement when new study month numbers are entered compared to current study month numbers.
Eddie Griffin, CACFP/SFSP Administrative Program Specialist
Eddie will be working as a CACFP Administrative Program Specialist covering Chelan, Kittitas & Douglas counties. He will also work with Family Day Care Homes and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Eddie was born, raised, and currently resides in Lakewood along with his partner and two young children. He started working in the kitchen making CACFP meals at the Hayes Child Development Center after graduating from the Culinary Arts Program at Clover Park Technical College.
Eddie transitioned to working at Pierce College as a Chef where he oversaw Child Nutrition Programs for the Child Development Centers. During his time working with these programs he developed a deep passion for the work being done in early learning. Eddie looks forward to working with sponsors throughout the state, utilizing his culinary background and hands on knowledge to assist Sponsors in creating thriving Child Nutrition Programs.
|
The renewal closing date for the current program year is June 30, 2022.
Sponsors who do not renew their CACFP application by June 30, will not be able to operate CACFP the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021–22 (FY 22) (July—September 2022).
Sponsors most affected by this change are those who plan to operate At-Risk or Pre-school programs that start in August or September 2022 who are not operating CACFP this school year. For more information on this, please refer to the 5/23 CNS Article.
For more details of upcoming changes in FY 23, watch the “What’s New in CACFP” recorded webinar.
Due to supply chain issues; the February recall of several baby formulas due to possible contamination, and; the voluntary closure of a facility in Michigan by Abbott Laboratories, many families may still be facing issues obtaining infant formula.
Information for Families
-
Encourage families to reach out to their child’s primary care provider. Family doctors and care teams are a great source of information for any questions or concerns about health and nutrition. They can help families switch to a formula that’s easier to find, give tips on where to go to find formula, and help direct families to which formulas may be best for their baby.
-
If they do not have a primary care provider, families can call the Help Me Grow Hotline. If a family needs a health care provider, encourage them to call the Help Me Grow WA hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for referrals and to apply for food and health resources in Washington.
-
Share these WIC and SNAP supports with families
- For WIC participants and families:
- Contact a local WIC clinic for help finding infant formula.
- WIC added a total of 60 different formula options since the recall began to offer more choices for families in the program.
- If families can’t reach a local clinic, call the state WIC office at 1-800-841-1410 Monday to Friday, 8 am–5 pm PT.
- Check the Washington WIC web page for more information on approved replacement infant formulas.
- Basic Food (SNAP) benefits:
- Can be used to shop for infant formula at a variety of stores, including drugstores.
- Benefits can be used to shop in person or online.
- Families can find out if they're eligible to participate in SNAP by visiting the Parenthelp123 web page or call 1-800-322-2588.
Resources
Join the Farm to ECE Community of Practice call:Taking Farm to ECE Outdoors! This session will explore the intersections of Outdoor Nature Based learning and Farm to ECE.
Hear from presenters who have experience facilitating nature based activities and leave with resources to start your own!
Register for the Farm to ECE Community of Practice Call
Date: Tuesday, July 26
Time: 3–4 pm PT
|
Team Nutrition’s recorded webinar, CACFP Halftime: Thirty on Thursdays on “Serving Adult Participants in the CACFP”, is now available.
Once you’ve viewed “Serving Adult Participants in the CACFP”, you can visit the National CACFP Sponsor’s Association (NCA) website for a personalized certificate and to track or submit your continuing education credits. Your certificate should arrive within a week of viewing the recorded webinar.
Other resources:
Team Nutrition CACFP Organizations:
Team Nutrition CACFP Organizations is a free network currently open to sponsoring organizations and independent child care centers participating in the CACFP. Enroll as a Team Nutrition CACFP Organization and:
- Affirm your commitment to helping CACFP participants make healthier food choices and be more physically active.
- Be the first to hear about new nutrition education and training materials for CACFP from Team Nutrition.
- Have the opportunity to be highlighted on Team Nutrition social media channels and in print publications.
- Receive access to exclusive nutrition education and promotional materials, such as the Team Nutrition Discover New Foods Decals, Make Today a Try-Day stickers, and CACFP Trainer’s Tool: Serving Milk Bingo, while supplies last.
Sign up for the Team Nutrition Newsletter or follow Team Nutrition on Twitter @TeamNutrition to stay up-to-date on all things Team Nutrition.
|
