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School Nutrition Bulletin 2122-41

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
 

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Submission to DPI for the Child Nutrition Programs Using Online Services-May 30, 3022

Thank you to all school food authorities (SFAs) who have already reported their UEI into the SNT Online Contract. If you have a UEI and have not reported it yet, please consult the Reporting the Unique Entity ID Instructions.

We understand that SAM.GOV is experiencing some technical difficulties and many SFAs may have had to enter incidents tickets. Due to this issue, the deadline for obtaining and reporting UEI is extended until May 30, 2022. We will continue to monitor the situation. If you need assistance obtaining a UEI, please visit the SAM.gov Help Page.
 

Updated Guidance for School-Based Childcare Centers

The DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT) recently received updated guidance from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for meals provided in a childcare center located in a school and administered by the SFA.

School-based childcare centers may choose whether they wish to participate in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. The SFA should consider whether each child in the childcare is enrolled in the school that participates in the school meal program(s) (i.e., enrolled in a pre-K program). If the child is enrolled and has access to meal service during pre-K programming, they are considered eligible and are entitled to a meal, regardless of their age.

If electing to participate, the childcare center must offer meals for all children, including infants if applicable, as denying meals to a specific subgroup of children is a form of discrimination. All meals claimed would be subject to the Meal Pattern Requirements for pre-K and infant meals under 7 CFR 210.10 and all other program requirements.

USDA has clarified that the National School Lunch (NSLP) and School Breakfast Programs (SBP) regulations in 7 CFR 210.1(a) specify that these programs are only intended to operate when school is in session. Therefore, if the SFA elects to include the school-based childcare center on the school nutrition contract, meals are only eligible for reimbursement on days when school is in operation. If meals are provided at the childcare center on non-school days, such as teacher in-service days, holidays, or summer break, these meals could NOT be claimed for reimbursement.

We had guidance from USDA in the past that allowed school-based childcare centers to continue claiming into the summer, even if school was not in session, however this guidance is “outdated” and will no longer be allowable.
 

School-based childcare centers may:

1. Be included on the school nutrition contract and only claim meals on school days. If meals are provided on non-school days, these meals would be treated as nonprogram foods and the full cost of providing the meals would need to be covered by a nonfederal funding source.

2. Participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide and claim meals for eligible participants each day the childcare center is open and operating. Programs interested in the CACFP can visit the Join the CACFP webpage. Schools interested in this option will want to act immediately to ensure there is enough time to complete the CACFP New Agency Process. If you have any questions, contact us at CACFPApplication@dpi.wi.gov.

3. Operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in the summer if the site qualifies. This requires the site to be an open site but would include the childcare center.

We understand that there are a variety of situations in school-based childcare centers. Please contact our office if you need assistance on determining the right option for your childcare center at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov or 608-267-9228. Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

Other Updates and Information
 

Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition Webinar: Engaging Student Influencers for Product Selection, Menu Planning, and Program Promotion

Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time: 2-3:00 PM CST

Making meaningful connections with customers has many benefits, including ensuring their needs and expectations are met. Savvy school nutrition program leaders know that student engagement can build trust while driving meal program participation. Join us to learn how our three expert panelists are engaging student influencers as a strategy to enhance their school meal programs.

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Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563