1/13 C.A.R.E. - Summer Food Service Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 01/14/2025 07:11 AM PST

Summer Food Service Program C.A.R.E.: Week of 1/13

Update: Updates to Sponsor Permanent Agreement - What You Need to Know
Update: SP 07-2025, CACFP 07-2025: Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities
Update: USDA Requests Public Comment on Child Nutrition Programs
Hot Topic: Save the Date and Register for the 2025 Summer Meals Summit!
Reminder: New Sponsors or Sponsors with a Gap in Participation

Update: Updates to Sponsor Permanent Agreement - What You Need to Know

Sponsors of USDA Child Nutrition Programs enter into a permanent agreement with OSPI when initially approved to operate. This agreement remains in effect as long as the annual program renewal is approved. OSPI has recently updated the permanent agreement to reflect the following changes:

Replaced all references to Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) with Assistance Listing Number (ALN).
Added information about Vended Meals and clarified Sponsor responsibilities in the Food Service Management Company (FSMC) Section.
Updated the language for clarity and to reflect federal updates to 2 CFR 200 in the Federal Award and Audit Requirements Section.
Moved the requirement for electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments from the NSLP section to the Claims for Reimbursement section, making it a requirement for all sponsors.

These updates do not change the nature of the agreement, so new agreements between Sponsors and OSPI are not necessary. To review the changes, please visit the Child Nutrition Programs Updated Permanent Agreement Terms and Conditions on our New Sponsor Webpage.

Upcoming Events

Register for the Summer Meals Summit!

Join OSPI and partners for a Summer Meals Summit! This one-day event will feature discussions, panels, presentations, and networking opportunities to help take your summer programs to the next level.

Tacoma | March 5, 2025

Yakima | March 19, 2025

See article below for more information.

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Join the FY25 SFSP/SSO Kickoff Webinar!

Join us for a short webinar to discuss summer meal program options, meet our staff, and hear about 2025 SFSP/SSO plans.

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Time: 2–3pm

Update: SP 07-2025, CACFP 07-2025: Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities

Please note that Medical Statements signed by Registered Dietitians are NOT approved for use in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Medical Statements signed by Registered Dietitians are only approved for use in National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

The USDA released the following policy guidance to support Child Nutrition operators following the publication of the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962, April 25, 2024).

SP 07-2025, CACFP 07-2025: Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities

Update: USDA Requests Public Comment on Child Nutrition Programs

The USDA requests public comments on the following Child Nutrition Program topics.

Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, provided $2 million for pilot projects that will allow Tribes to administer Child Nutrition Programs, assuming the roles and responsibilities typically held by state agencies.

Published December 23, 2024, for public comment: Federal Register: Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects.
The comment period will close on March 24, 2025.
Comments can be submitted through one of the following methods:
- Online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (preferred method): Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail: Send written comments to the Child Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Braddock Metro Center II, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314

Register for the webinar to learn more about the Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects.
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Time: 12:00–12:45 pm PST

Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs

The request for information aims to obtain input to inform future policymaking, guidance, and technical assistance related to grain-based desserts and high-protein yogurt crediting in Child Nutrition Programs.

Published December 23, 2024 for public comment: Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs.
The comment period will close on March 26, 2025.
Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (preferred method): Go to www.regulations.gov/docket/FNS-2024-0039 and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Send comments to School Meals Policy Division, Child Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Register for the webinar to learn more about the Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Time: 12:00–12:45 pm PST

For more information on submitting comments, please review the Tips for Submitting Effective Comments.

Hot Topic: Save the Date and Register for the 2025 Summer Meals Summit!

Are you eager to meet community partners who can support your summer meals efforts? Looking for tips to engage your organization’s leadership about summer meals programs? Seeking additional methods to streamline required documentation? Or perhaps you need to update your marketing plans and strategies? If so, mark your calendar and register for the 2025 Summer Meals Summit!

This year, OSPI will host two optional, one-day Summer Meals Summits in collaboration with partner organizations: United Way of King County, The Washington State Dairy Council, and the Department of Social and Health Services. We have a fantastic lineup of presentations, facilitated discussions, panels, and networking opportunities to help you take your summer meals program to the next level!

OSPI will offer advanced training sessions, including Sponsor Monitoring, Training Your Staff,, and Meal Pattern Compliance. Some sessions will count towards annual training, but will not fulfill all requirement needs.

Register: Summer Meals Summit - Tacoma
Location: Greater Tacoma Convention Center
Date: March 5, 2025
Time: 8:30am–4:30pm

Register: Summer Meals Summit - Yakima
Location: Yakima Valley College
Date: March 19, 2025
Time: 8:30am–4:30pm

Reminder: New Sponsors or Sponsors with a Gap in Participation

The following instructions are for sponsoring organizations that will apply to operate SFSP for the first time in 2025 or operated SFSP in 2023 or earlier and didn't operate in 2024 (gap in service).

Please visit our New Sponsors | OSPI web page and read the information under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) dropdown.
Complete the New Sponsor Questionnaire. Use this checklist to collect the documents needed to complete the questionnaire. Information entered in an unsubmitted or incomplete questionnaire will be lost.
- Once a completed questionnaire with all required documents is received, we will contact you with any questions and steps for continuing the onboarding process.
- The approval process can take up to a month. Start early to avoid delays.

Questions? Email summermeals@k12.wa.us.

Important Dates to Remember

February 26	FY25 SFSP/SSO Kickoff Webinar \| 2-3pm
March 5	Summer Meals Summit \| Tacoma
March 19	Summer Meals Summit \| Yakima

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

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This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.