CNS Update: USDA Extends Summer Programs for Entire 20-21 School Year

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 10/09/2020 01:34 PM PDT

CNS Update: USDA Extends Summer Programs for Entire 20-21 School Year

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of several flexibilities to allow free meals to be available to all children through the 2020-21 school year.

Next Steps

OSPI CNS is awaiting USDA guidance and will release additional information as it becomes available. Please join us for our food services webinar on Wednesday at 2pm PT.

Waivers extended through June 30, 2021 include:

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #59 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and SSO Operations through SY 2020-21 – EXTENSION

This allows program sponsors to operate the SFSP and Seamless Summer Option through June 30, 2021 for new and returning sponsors.
Allowing these programs facilitates the safe provision of meals by eliminating the need to collect meal payments, including cash payments, at meal sites, which speeds up service of meals, thereby reducing contact and potential exposure to COVID–19.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #60 – Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – EXTENSION #3

This waiver applies to the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
This waiver allows SFSP and SSO sponsors in good standing to operate open sites in areas consistent with the State plan, but not located in “Areas in which poor economic conditions exist”.
FNS reserves the right to withdraw this approval subject to availability of funding

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #61 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding in the Summer Food Service Program and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION #5

This extended waiver allows meals to be served in a non-congregate meal setting.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #62 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents/Guardians to Pick-up Meals for Children – EXTENSION #5

This waiver allows parents and guardians to pick up meals for their children.
Program operators must maintain program integrity and ensure duplicate meals are not distributed.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #63 - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program and NSLP Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION #8

This waiver allows sponsors to serve meals that do not meet the meal pattern requirements.
Sponsors are approved on a case-by-case basis. If your organization is unable to locate a particular item, contact your program specialist.
As a reminder, Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(f) allow procurement by noncompetitive proposals when there is a public emergency.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #64 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in SFSP/SSO – EXTENSION #2

This waives the requirement for closed enrolled sites operating under the SFSP or SSO to collect income eligibility applications.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #65 – Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in SFSP – EXTENSION #2

This waives the requirement to visit each SFSP site during the first week of operation.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #66 – Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the Summer Food Service Program and NSLP Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION #2

This waives the required minimum time between meal service times and allow sponsors to serve more than one meal at a time.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #67 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer vs Serve Flexibilities in SFSP – EXTENSION #2

This waiver allows Offer vs Serve in SFSP operations.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #68 – Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component – EXTENSION

Allows schools and afterschool care centers, regardless of their location, to serve at-risk afterschool meals and snacks to students after the regular school day
Reminder: At Risk sponsors must provide organized regularly scheduled education or enrichment activities.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #69 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served prior to Notification of Preapproval and Provide Flexibility for Preapproval Visits in SFSP – EXTENSION

This waives the requirement that reimbursements shall not be paid for meals served at a site before the sponsor has received written notification that the site has been approved for participation in the program.
This also waives the requirement that state agencies are required to conduct pre-approval visits of sponsors and sites to assess the applicant sponsor's or site's potential for successful program operations.
This waiver is retroactive for approved SFSP sponsors for allowable meals served during the initial COVID-19 emergency response through Aug. 30, 2020, but that were served prior to their written approval to operate SFSP.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #70 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – EXTENSION #5

This waives the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements and also waives the requirements that sponsors offer students a variety (at least two different options) of fluid milk.
Sponsors are approved on a case-by-case basis - Contact your program specialist.
As a reminder, Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(f) allow procurement by noncompetitive proposals when there is a public emergency.

Washington State will participate in all waivers listed above.

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.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.