|
Performance standards help ensure that sponsors who apply to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food program (CACFP) are likely to be successful when operating the program. These requirements also help ensure program integrity when receiving federal dollars through reimbursement. The three Performance Standards required by CACFP regulation 7 CFR 226.6(b)(1)(xviii) are:
- Financially Viability,
- Administrative Capability, and
- Program Accountability
These Performance Standards are often referred to as VCA.
Requirements
New and renewing CACFP sponsors must demonstrate they meet VCA requirements to be approved to operate the program. Performance standards must be met upon initial application and maintained throughout the operation of the CACFP.
-
Performance standard 1 (Financial Viability) requires that program funds be expended and accounted for in accordance with the requirements detailed in:
-
Performance Standard 2 (Administrative Capability) requires appropriate and effective management practices be in effect to ensure that the Program operates in accordance with requirements.
-
Performance Standard 3 (Program Accountability) requires internal controls and other management systems to ensure fiscal accountability and that the Program will comply with the requirements.
OSPI Child Nutrition Services evaluates VCA during:
- New sponsor applications
- Annual renewal applications
- CACFP Administrative Reviews
- CACFP Procurement Reviews.
CACFP Performance Standards Self-Assessment
If you can answer 'yes' to the questions below, your institution is meeting CACFP performance standards. If you answer 'no' to one or more questions below, please contact your CACFP Specialist to discuss how to meet these requirements.
Financial Viability
- Does my institution have a written procedure for handling CACFP reimbursements?
- Looking at bank record transactions, is my institution able to trace the receipts and expenditures of CACFP funds?
- If there was a temporary break in CACFP funding, does my institution have three months of CACFP reimbursement to continue to operate set aside?
Administrative Capability
- Does my institution have written policies and procedures that assign CACFP responsibilities and duties and ensure compliance with Civil Rights requirements?
- Does my institution employ enough staff to meet the CACFP requirements?
- Does my institution train staff on CACFP requirements?
Program Accountability
- If non-profit, does my institution have an independent governing board of directors that has the authority to fire the Executive Director?
- Does my institution have systems in place to ensure fiscal integrity and prevent improper financial activities?
- Does my institution have fiscal policies assuring accountability of funds and property received and disbursed?
Resources
Food establishments, including school food authorities (SFAs), will be required to have at least one employee with a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate starting on March 1, 2023, per WAC 246-215-02107.
The CFPM’s responsibilities include training managers and staff, implementing a food safety program, and ensuring food safety requirements and procedures are followed. A CFPM is not required to be employed at each site. One employee may be the CFPM for all sites within an organization (such as the Food Service Director). If the CFPM leaves employment, a new CFPM must be on staff within 60 days.
The CFPM certificate must be obtained through an ANSI accredited organization. You can view a list of accredited organizations that issue food protection manager certifications on the Washington Department of Health’s (DOH) website. National Restaurant Association ServSafe, Food Protection Manager Training meets the CPFM certification requirements.
Resources:
|
Civil Rights Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated their nondiscrimination statement in May 2022 to clarify prohibitions against discrimination based on sex in all USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs.
Sponsors must:
-
Update program discrimination complaint processing procedures to include complaints alleging sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, if not currently part of your organizational practices.
-
Process any complaints alleging sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination as complaints of prohibited sex discrimination.
-
Ensure webpages and other widely distributed documents contain required Civil Rights information, including:
- The updated USDA Child Nutrition Programs Nondiscrimination Statement.
- The nondiscrimination statement is required on all documents referring to program access, program approval, and widely distributed documents. Examples include: items distributed to the public, landing page of web pages, student handbooks, brochures, letters to families, or press releases.
- OSPI CNS updated documents to include the updated statement in English and Spanish. USDA will be updating their Nondiscrimination Statement Webpage as additional translations are made available. Be sure to use the document listed under the "All Other Programs NDS" column.
- Information regarding Child Nutrition Programs in languages commonly encountered in your program(s).
- Operators and sponsors are required to take reasonable steps to ensure program access and benefits to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
- Information regarding accommodating disabilities and special dietary needs in your program(s).
- Details on how to file a Civil Rights complaint, including complaint procedures.
-
Continue using the 2019 'And Justice for All' posters OSPI CNS has ordered updated 'And Justice for All' posters, we are currently waiting to receive these items and will announce when distribution will begin. Until you receive the updated posters, please continue using the 2019 'And Justice for All' posters in areas where participants may see it.
Civil Rights Training
Civil Rights training must be completed annually by all staff who help administer a Child Nutrition Program. Program directors and administrators must train staff on organizational practices and requirements.
Review Your Requirements with the CNS Civil Rights Training!
CNP sponsors, administrators, and directors of organizations must be trained annually on Civil Rights requirements, as well as train program staff on their requirements. While this training goes over what is required for Civil Rights training, it does not go into your organization’s practices. Additional training must be provided to staff to meet requirements.
How To Access This Training
Anyone is able to access the Civil Rights training in the Moodle platform. NOTE: You must have a Moodle Account to access this training.
Questions? Please email the Child Nutrition inbox so we may assist.
|
It's hard to believe that we transitioned to weekly program newsletters over three years ago! Over the past several months, OSPI CNS has been looking at our current practices and leaning into questioning how to best serve you by asking ourselves, "Does this still work?"
Changes to Newsletters
We heard you! OSPI CNS wants to ensure the information shared in newsletters continues to be pertinent and timely.
We will continue to share information in newsletters based on program (School Meals, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program). Keep an eye out for these changes:
- Newsletters will come to your inbox on the 2nd and 4th Mondays every month!
- Regular office hours with your Program Specialist — Office hours will provide opportunities for us to share important information and for you to ask questions. Reach out to your program specialist for their office hours information.
By changing to this format, we hope that you'll have more time to focus on what you do best—serving children delicious meals, while also ensuring you have the information to operate your programs successfully!
|
To help you navigate the CNS Newsletter format, here are a few helpful tips:
1. Use the Table of Contents at the Beginning of the Newsletter
At the top of every newsletter there is a table of contents to give you an overview of what you MUST look at and what is "good to know" (see details below).
2. See "Action Item" at the beginning of the article?
"Action Items" are things that require action on your part. Not completing required steps may result in delay of renewal or reimbursement for meals served.
3. See "Update" at the beginning of the article?
Articles with the word Update at the beginning indicates that there is an important update in regards to State or USDA requirements. These are the articles you must review to stay in the loop about requirements.
4. If you see "Reminder" at the beginning of the article
Reminders are previous "updates" that are still important, but were shared in previous newsletters.
5. How about "FYI"?
If you see an article starting with FYI, this is a good-to-know. These include resources, outside trainings and opportunities, grant opportunities from partner agencies, or other good-to-know type of items.
6. Highlights
CNS Highlights are articles highlighting good practices, Food, Body, and Mind Awardees, and other items.
7. Important Dates to Remember
You will find these at the bottom of every newsletter. They will include things like claim due dates, upcoming training and webinars, and other important dates.
We hope this is helpful! If you have any questions or comments about newsletters, please reach out to Sam Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
On December 11, ByHeart voluntarily recalled certain infant formula products. For details about this recall and affected products, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Recall Notice webpage.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains committed to ensuring CACFP participants have access to safe formula. Collaborative efforts are being made between USDA and FDA to monitor this developing situation. Additional guidance will be provided if the impact of the recall evolves.
Use the ByHeart Letter to Consumers for details on next steps if you purchased this product.Parents and caregivers of infants who have used this product and are concerned about the health of their child should contact their health care provider.
Please share this information with your infant room staff and the families of infants at your center(s).
CACFP Sponsors have reported an increase in staff turnover over the past year. Many of these staff members were assigned CACFP roles and responsibilities.
Your feedback will help us create CACFP training resources to meet the needs of newly hired staff and formulate training plans specific to your region of the state. We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with this valuable information.
Please take a brief survey to help OSPI Child Nutrition assess CACFP training needs for newly hired staff.
If you do have new staff in key CACFP roles (ex. Program Director or cook), please notify your CACFP Specialist. Your specialist will work with you to assign training as appropriate for your new staff members specific to the CACFP component(s) that you operate.
Resources
CACFP week is coming! To celebrate, Child Nutrition Services at OSPI is joining the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for its annual national education and information campaign. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for participants of child care centers, adult day services and day care homes across the country.
Help celebrate CACFP Week!
-
Submit nomination(s) for CACFP Excellence Award(s) (and/or)
-
Tell/show us what CACFP Means to you!
-
Read Daily CACFP Resource Packets
-
Attend a live NCA webinar for each weekday of CACFP Week
CACFP Excellence Award
Who is eligible to receive the CACFP Excellence Award?
Any individual or organization participating in the CACFP (centers, homes, schools, emergency shelters, food banks, etc.) or CACFP Sponsoring Organization can receive this award.
CACFP Excellence Categories include:
- Excellence in Foodservice
- Excellence in Nutrition Education
- Excellence in Mealtime
- Excellence in Menu Planning
- Excellence in Leadership
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Inclusion
- Excellence in Oversight
Submit your Excellence Award Nomination Here by Friday, March 3
Tell/show us what CACFP means to you!
Submit statements, artwork, photos, or quotes to describe what CACFP means to you, your staff/organization and the families you serve.
Submit your CACFP Testimonial Here by Friday, March 3
Read CACFP Resource Packets
Read the CACFP Resource Packets that will be curated by CACFP Specialists and sent each weekday of CACFP week. These packets will contain valuable information along with some fun activities/resources.
Attend a live NCA webinar for each weekday of CACFP Week
These webinars are centered around the themes of Community, Advocacy, Children, Food Program and Participate.
Monday, March 13 – Community: Building Healthy Bodies with the Foods We Serve
Tuesday, March 14 - Advocacy: Good News! Sharing Your CACFP Story
Wednesday, March 15 - Children: Healthy & Strong with Sesame Street
Thursday, March 16 - Food Program: Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure
Friday, March 17 - Participate: Tools & Resources for CACFP Success
Register for Live Webinars Here and for NCA CACFP Week Resources
CACFP Excellence Award recipients and CACFP Testimonials will be highlighted the week of March 12 in our CNS Update as well as in a special edition CACFP Excellence Awards communication.
USDA requires each CACFP sponsoring organization (sponsors with 2 or more sites) to review each facility three times each year, and meet requirements outlined in 7 CFR 226.16(d)(4)(iii):
- At least two of the three reviews must be unannounced;
- At least one unannounced review must include observation of a meal service;
- At least one review must be made during each new facility's first four weeks of Program operations; and
- Not more than six months may elapse between reviews.
An updated CACFP Sponsor Monitoring Form for FY23 is now available for child care sites.
Reminders
- Keep completed monitoring forms on file for 3 years plus the current fiscal year
- It may be necessary to conduct more than 3 reviews per facility when findings are noted and corrective action has been assigned
- Sponsor must assess if submitted corrective action has been implemented and finding(s) have been corrected
- Documentation of review follow-up, corrective action, and correspondence must be kept
Please review the Monitoring for Sponsoring Organizations Reference Sheet for more information and best practices.
While it may not be a great time to start a garden at your center or plant seeds in the ground, winter is a great time to plan for future gardening efforts. Below is a list of some grant opportunities that can help your center increase their Farm to CACFP programing by building gardens.
National Head Start Association Gro More Garden Grants
The National Head Start Association with support from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation provides grants to Head Start organizations aiming to increase both students' and their families' appreciation and understanding for healthy foods and nutrition through garden programs. Applications are due by December 23, 2022.
2023 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant
The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant, brought to you by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening, is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Application Period: January 3, 2023 - February 10, 2023.
USDA's Farm to School Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. USDA's Farm to School grants are an important way to help state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize farm to school efforts. Applications are due by January 6, 2023. Learn more Farm to School Grant Program Applicant Resources webpage.
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
This foundation provides high-quality fruit trees and shrubs, organic soil amendments, equipment, planting volunteers, and on-site orchard design work, and more, with the goal of improving the surrounding environment and providing a source of healthy nutrition. Applications open on a rolling basis.
|
Register now to attend free, live, interactive training sessions for child nutrition professionals offered by the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). These virtual training sessions feature individual lessons led by ICN's expert trainers on important topics for child nutrition professionals in child care programs.
Trainings will be held in January–March 2023. Some of the child care trainings include:
- Food Safety in Child care (4 hours)
- Introductions to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings (4 hours)
- Norovirus in Child Care (2 hours)
- Training Culturally Diverse Groups (4 hours)
- Basic Culinary Math (4 hours)
For a list of trainings as well as training dates and times, please visit ICN’s VILT Registration page.
Registration is limited to 25 participants per session, and training sessions will fill up quickly.
|
Fifteen scholarship opportunities will be available from the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for the 2023 National Child Nutrition Conference. The conference is to be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego from April 10–14, 2023. Through the scholarship program, NCA is honored to recognize the professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that our nation's most vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food.
Apply for NCA Scholarship Today!
Applications will be due by January 10, 2023 and recipients will be announced in early February. Each scholarship will include conference registration, four (4) nights' lodging at the conference hotel, and up to $300 toward transportation costs. 15 additional scholarships will be awarded to attend the conference virtually.
Eligible applicants include:
- Sponsoring Organizations
- Family Home Providers
- Child Care Centers
- Adult Day Care Centers
- Head Start programs
- School Districts
- At-Risk Afterschool Sites
- Emergency Shelters
- Summer Food Sites
- Food Banks
- Tribal Nations
|
January 9
|
Semi-Monthly Newsletter Released
|
|
January 15
|
December Claims Due in WINS
|
|
January 23
|
Semi-Monthly Newsletter Released
|
|
January 30
|
November 60-day Claiming Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim
|
|
