Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)
- Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team
- Other Updates and Information
Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team
What are the School Food Authority (SFA) On-site Monitoring Requirements for School Year (SY) 2020-21?
On-site monitoring is a self-assessment of the counting and claiming system and general areas to ensure program integrity and accountability. On-site monitoring is required for all SFAs with more than one school site operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
Under the USDA COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #41, SFAs operating the NSLP/SBP and SSO have the ability to waive this requirement for SY 2020-21. SFAs should, instead, to the maximum extent practicable, review program operations off-site (e.g., through a desk audit). USDA has created Off-site Monitoring Fact Sheets for Child Nutrition Programs for additional guidance and best practices.
To elect this waiver
- For SFAs operating the NSLP/SBP, if you wish to elect to waive this requirement, please complete this Google Survey.
- For SFAs operating SSO, this waiver was included in the SSO application process; no further action is required.
- FAs operating SFSP are exempt from the NSLP/SBP on-site monitoring requirements, but do need to complete SFSP monitoring as described in the SFSP Requirements for SY 2020-21. On-site monitoring is waived for the SFSP without further application by the SFA.
If you choose not to elect the waiver
Unless a waiver has been submitted to the School Nutrition Team (SNT), SFA on-site monitoring is required to be completed by February 1 for any SFA with more than one school site and operating under NSLP/SBP or SSO. We do understand that there are challenges with meeting this requirement due to school closures, delayed starts, staffing shortages, etc. Therefore, the SNT has submitted a waiver request to USDA to extend the deadline for on-site monitoring completion to June 30, 2021. This has not been approved yet, but we will notify SFAs as soon as more information becomes available.
On-site monitoring forms
1. For SFAs operating NSLP/SBP, the on-site monitoring forms are located on the On-site Monitoring webpage.
2. For SFAs operating SSO, a new SSO On-site Monitoring form is now available to better align with program operations under SSO. This form can be used for both breakfast and lunch monitoring.
Afterschool Snack Program On-site Monitoring Requirements for SY 2020-21
The Afterschool Snack Program is not included in the USDA COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #41 and therefore, this program is still required to be reviewed by SFAs two times per year within specific timeframes. Due to COVID-19, many SFAs are operating the Afterschool Snack Program in a virtual manner. In addition, school closures, school start delays, and staffing shortages may make completing these on-site monitoring reviews a challenge. Therefore, the SNT has requested a waiver from USDA for this requirement. This has not been approved yet, but we will notify SFAs as soon as more information becomes available. SFAs are still encouraged to complete the Afterschool Snack Program on-site monitoring review off-site as a desk audit, as able.
If your SFA had intended on operating the Afterschool Snack Program, but discontinued participation due to COVID-19, please be sure the online school nutrition contract accurately reflects the programs you are operating for SY 20-21 with correct program start and end dates.
More information on on-site monitoring is located on our website.
What are the Civil Rights Self-Monitoring Requirements (PI-1441) for SY 2020-21?
SFAs operating the NSLP/SBP and SSO in SY 2020-21 are still required to complete the annual Civil Rights Compliance Self-Evaluation (i.e. PI-1441 form). This form is to ensure all civil rights requirements are met or to self-identify if there are any areas of concern that need to be corrected. This form is due by October 31 annually, but the due date has been extended to January 31, 2021 for SY 2020-21 due to COVID-19. The completed form is not submitted to the state agency, but is requested as part of an Administrative Review. When completing sections of the form that ask about race/ethnicity and free and reduced price meal applications, use the most current information available, which may be from SY 2019-20 or SY 2020-21.
SFAs operating the SFSP are required to complete a Race and Ethnicity Data Form once for each site operating during SY 2020-21. Further instructions are provided in the SFSP Requirements for SY 2020-21.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: 2019 Maternal Child Health Program Needs Assessment Survey
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and is seeking input from local and statewide organizations in response to the 2019 Maternal Child Health Program Needs Assessment that found physical activity and nutrition as high priorities for Wisconsin children ages 6-11 years old. They are asking organizations that are involved with this age group to complete the following survey which will assist in guiding future activities aimed at improving physical activity and healthy eating among Wisconsin children.
Other Updates and Information
Wisconsin Chili Lunch
Celebrate all Wisconsin has to offer by participating in the third annual Wisconsin Chili Lunch on February 25, 2021! Join schools, hospitals, colleges, business campuses and early care sites by using Wisconsin-grown products in your Wisconsin Chili Lunch (WCL) throughout the month of February. This event encourages healthy eating and supports Wisconsin farms by increasing purchases of Wisconsin grown foods by institutions. Ask your vendor for, or source directly from farms, locally grown products and ingredients to make chili for your students and customers in the coming months. Learn more, find creditable recipes, and register for the event on the WCL website.
When you register for the event you will receive a Wisconsin Chili Lunch Guide to help you find local products for your chili lunch!
Resources to promote the Wisconsin Chili Lunch and find local products:
New! COVID-19 Resources Available for K-12 Schools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC just released new tools for administrators for resuming in-person learning.
- The K-12 Schools COVID-19 Mitigation Toolkit aims to help schools plan for in-person instruction and ongoing operations during COVID-19. The toolkit is designed for public health officials, K-12 administrators, school district officials, and occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals to assess hazards and implement mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
- The Getting Schools Ready for In-Person Learning: How to Plan and Execute a COVID-19 Mitigation Walkthrough helps conduct a five-step walkthrough with health officials to review planned COVID-19 mitigations strategies. As COVID-19 fluctuates in communities, schools may open, close, and reopen at varying times throughout the school year. In partnership with local public health officials, school or district administrators can use this step-by-step guide to plan and execute a COVID-19 mitigation walkthrough, ensuring that they are prepared to resume in-person learning at school buildings or campuses.
Additional CDC guidance and tools are available on the Schools and Child Care Programs webpage.
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
This is a communication from the WI Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Team.
You can contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov. To subscribe to schoolmealsnews, please send an email to dpifns@dpi.wi.gov.
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