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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsors must complete OSPI’s required training annually to continue participation in the Program.
Who Must Complete Annual Training?
- All institutions participating in the CACFP.
- All institutions planning to participate in the CACFP in Fiscal Year 2023–24 (FY24).
- At a minimum, the person responsible for oversight of the CACFP must attend. This training is intended for directors and administrators.
How Will Annual Training be Conducted for FY24?
CACFP required training will be provided as recorded training modules in Canvas, OSPI’s new learning platform. Please note, trainings are assigned depending on Sponsor type.
Use the FY24 CACFP Training Checklist to help determine which training track is required for your organization. Training tracks are split up between community sponsors, Local Education Agency (LEA) At-Risk only, and LEA pre-K sponsor types.
Enroll in Canvas to view these trainings
How Will I Receive Certificates for Annual Training?
Once you complete all required training modules for your sponsor type, you will be able to access the self-certification survey that will lead to your training certificate. You can fill in your name and your organization after you print the certificate; keep this required annual training certificate for your records.
More About Canvas
Canvas is OSPI’s new learning management system and is replacing Moodle. Many features in Canvas are similar to Moodle; however, Canvas will provide a broader range of functionality for all learning styles. Moodle was disabled on August 30th.
Progressing Through a Canvas Module
Content is organized into "Modules" in Canvas.
- To move forward in a module, you can use the "Next" button in the lower right.
- To go back a page, use the "Back" button in the lower left.
- You can also click the "Modules" item in the sidebar on the left, and then click individual items in a module.
- Required modules are set up to unlock sequentially. To proceed to the next training in a series, you must complete the previous training.
Canvas Support
Canvas has a robust support system. Select the "Help" icon and navigate to the topic area where support is needed. Alternatively, please feel free to post in the CACFP Canvas Technical Troubleshooting forum and CNS’s Canvas specialist will provide assistance.
Questions about Annual Training Requirements? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Questions about Canvas? Please email Ben Brown, Professional Learning Specialist.
Effective September 1, 2023, OSPI changed the current website address from k12.wa.us to ospi.k12.wa.us. This change is required for improved security.
Please make sure to update your bookmarks, links, and saved pages to reflect this change, as redirects will only be in place for a period of 6 months. Rest assured, all the content and functionality you've come to rely on will remain intact at the new URL.
All OSPI email addresses will remain unchanged. If you encounter any issues or have any questions about this URL change, please reach out to OSPI's support team at webteam@k12.wa.us. We're here to assist you and ensure a seamless transition.
OSPI program offices will be working to update all links within their webpages and in imbedded documents over the next few months.
Institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are required to conduct a study month annually in October. Program reimbursement for each institution is based on the income levels of the families that they serve. The study month establishes the percentages of the meals that will be paid at the free, reduced-price, and above scale rates.
*At-Risk Programs, Emergency Shelters, and ECEAP or Head Start only programs are exempt from this requirement.
Get Ready to Distribute Information!
In preparation for the October study month, please print and have EIEAs, EFs, and Sample Income Eligibility Parent Letters ready for distribution.
Changes are coming in FY24 to CACFP Office Hours. Office hours will now be called “Technical Assistance Support”. Your regional Specialist will continue to offer these virtual sessions monthly and include a CACFP topic to highlight. Technical Assistance Support dates/times will no longer be advertised in the CNS Update. You will be sent an email directly from your CACFP Specialist inviting you to attend.
Technical Assistance Support Structure
TA Support will start with Specialists providing important CACFP updates and reminders. During the remainder of the session, specialists will provide technical assistance and training around specific CACFP topics.
Watch for emails from your Specialist for more information!
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs are available for preschool-age children that attend a local pre-K community program, Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), Head Start and/or a Transitional Kindergarten program. These programs operate in classrooms located in Educational Service Districts (ESD), community organizations, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). ESDs and community organizations must operate the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). LEAs may choose to operate either the CACFP or the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (NSLP/SBP).
Requirements
- ESDs or Community Organizations receiving funds for preschool programs must be the CACFP sponsor when children are NOT enrolled in the public school district.
- ESDs and Community organizations operating classrooms on public school district campuses must establish an interagency agreement to receive meals and snacks from the public school district.
- Two different sponsors cannot claim meals or snacks served to the same group of students (i.e., the School District claims breakfast and lunch, while the ESD claims Snack).
- Meals or Snacks cannot be served under two different programs (i.e., Breakfast and Lunch under NSLP/SBP, while Snack is under CACFP). To claim snacks, CACFP must be operated for all meals and snacks.
Resources
Questions? Contact your CACFP or School Meals Program Specialist.
New yields are now available in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based (FBG) Tool and FBG Mobile App! New yield data is available for:
- Individually quick-frozen (IQF) black beans
- IQF pinto beans
- Roasted soybeans
- Roasted chickpeas
- Fresh oranges
- Grape tomatoes
- Ready-to-use diced and sliced onions
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Child Nutrition Services has a new Fiscal Inbox!
Have questions about claims, grant payments or anything fiscal? Send an email to our CNS Fiscal Team at CNSFiscalServices@k12.wa.us.
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The 2023–2025 WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant Application deadline has been extended to October 16th.
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Looking to increase the amount of locally sourced food served in your CACFP program? The WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant provides funding for childcare programs participating in CACFP to purchase Washington Grown foods from November 2023– June 2025.
The application closes Monday, October 16th, 2023, by 5:00 PM.
For more details, see the Farm to School Grant webpage.
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OSPI Child Nutrition Services invites you to participate in WA Farm to CACFP Week October 2 – 6, 2023!
Including fresh, local foods in the menus increases meal quality and supports local farmers. Nutrition and agriculture enrichment activities have been shown to increase kids’ consumption of fruit and vegetables and willingness to try new foods.
You can engage children and families by including fresh, local foods in your CACFP menu and offering food-related enrichment activities to your program participants during the week of October 2–6, 2023.
Take the Pledge
You can plan to serve at least one local food item, offer at least one food-related educational activity, and share your efforts over social media or another communication method.
How to Participate
Questions? Please email Adriana Gutierrez, Farm to CACFP Program Specialist.
October – Carrots
Fun Facts:
- Fresh carrots are available from June through October in Washington.
- Carrots are available in many colors like yellow, purple, white, red, and often associated with orange.
- Carrots are root vegetables with origins from Central Asia.
- Baby cut carrots packaged and sold in plastic bags are cuts from large carrots. Baby cut carrots are sometimes advertised as baby carrots.
- True baby carrots are harvested before reaching maturity.
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Nutrition Information: Carrots provide an excellent source of vitamin A; and are a good source of Vitamin C, K, potassium, and fiber.
Selection and Storage
- Choose carrots that are deep in color and firm. Avoid soft and split carrots.
- Carrots without tops placed in a plastic bag will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
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September 29
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July 60-day Claiming Deadline—if you haven't already, submit your claim
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October 1
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Start of CACFP Fiscal Year
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October 15
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September Claims Due in WINS
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