Press Play
Monthly Newsletter for Child Nutrition Administrators
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the World
We Are the Champions
-Queen
_____________________________________________________________
WHY CAN'T I FILE MY CLAIM?
If the change is not implemented before the 60-day window to file a claim ends, CEs will not be penalized. An exception will be granted in addition to the one-time exception available to CEs. For the summer cost report, CEs will need to manually determine the July claim using the rates in the June claim. For those wanting to estimate the August claim, that can be manually calculated using the rates found here. CEs might need to do a journal entry to move the revenue into the right accounting period after claims can be filed.
_____________________________________________________________
LISTEN TO THE LATEST NEWS
Verification Timeline
This year, the Verification Report is due on November 23. Find the complete timeline here. Grab verification resources here.
NEW! FSMC Contract Review Form
TDA has made some changes to the onsite monitoring form required quarterly for CEs that contract with an FSMC. Find the latest version here.
TDA Seeks Feedback on USDA Foods Available List
Complete this survey by September 19 to provide feedback on new USDA Foods.
NSLW 2022 Materials
Don't forget to order your National School Lunch Week 2022 materials by September 16! Then hop on over and register for the Farm Fresh Challenge.
Capital Expenditure Requests
Capital Expenditure Requests should be approved within seven business days. If your request has not been approved or denied in that time frame, please reach out to TDA.
Second Breakfasts
Second-chance breakfasts are a great way to increase participation by offering breakfasts when students are ready to eat. Keep in mind, however, that only one breakfast per student can be claimed per day. The ARM will be revised to correct some confusing language regarding this scenario.
TRS Worksheet
Follow this formula when putting in base rates for the TRS Worksheet for Monthly Child Nutrition Contributions:
- Use $0.77 for lunch -- but add $0.08 if you receive performance-based and $0.02 if you receive severe need (max of $0.87)
- Use $0.50 for breakfast.
_____________________________________________________________
WHAT IS WBSCM?
Some key changes:
- Co-ops will not have access to WBSCM. CEs/RAs will be responsible for entering that info going forward.
- FSMCs will not automatically receive access to WBSCM. TDA will provide guidance on when it might be appropriate.
_____________________________________________________________
REMIX
COOL TOOLS
- SNA Videos: School Meal Changes for SY2022-23 (English or Spanish)
- Healthy Day Toolkit for student families (English or Spanish)
- Team Nutrition's How School Lunch is Made and How You Can Help
- CDC Parents for Healthy Schools Guide and Promotion Kit
- USDA's Local Wellness Policy Implementation Tools
- USDA Foods Online Training
_____________________________________________________________
DEAR ROSIE,
These parents are truly furious about having to apply for meals this year. Our district did everything we could to get the word out. My question is — when a meal application is finally approved and the students qualify for free meals, what do I do about all of these meal charges?
Sincerely,
WIPE THE SLATE
Dear SLATE,
I don't have a crystal ball, but I did see that coming! It's hard to transition back to submitting applications when you've received much-needed free meals for the last two years. Just keep on smiling and reminding. Customer service will go a long way here.
But back to your real question: Can you backdate the eligibility? That depends on what your district policy is according to your Attachment B in TX-UNPS. Take a look at questions 6 and 7, which address this for applications and direct certification, respectively. You only have two options here:
- From the date the application was approved or the date of participation in a categorical program
- From the date the application was received
It's up to your district, but you might consider how difficult it will be for you to implement choice #2. How will that impact claims if they are already submitted, etc.? Most districts opt for #1.
Good luck!
ROSIE
_____________________________________________________________
CELEBRATING NEW DIRECTORS
TX-UNPS
- Don't forget to read the landing page of TXUNPS before you click on anything else.
- Here is what it looks like now:
_____________________________________________________________
TURN UP THE VOLUME: DEADLINES APPROACHING
OCTOBER 1
- Verification begins; count free/reduced meal applications
- Farm Fresh Challenge begins
OCTOBER 5
- TX-ELMS Upload/Download
OCTOBER 9
- Summer Cost Report due
OCTOBER 11-15
- NSLW
OCTOBER 29
- Official count of enrolled students and free/reduced eligibility
OCTOBER 31
- Attachment B Uploads due
_____________________________________________________________
RESOURCES AND LINKS
- School Year 22-23 Menu Calendar Templates on SquareMeals
- Updated Income Eligibility Guidelines
- And Justice For All Poster printing guidelines
- Administrative Review Resources on our website
_____________________________________________________________
REQUEST TIME: REGISTER FOR A CLASS
SEPTEMBER 14
VERIFICATION (WEBINAR)
SEPTEMBER 29
FALL DIRECTOR'S UPDATE (IN-PERSON)
OCTOBER 4
MANAGING FSMC CONTRACTS
OCTOBER 5-7
SERVSAFE
OCTOBER 27
MONTHLY REWIND WEBINAR
NOVEMBER 11
MONTHLY REWIND WEBINAR
DECEMBER 6
FARM FRESH SUMMIT
DECEMBER 7
THE ABCs OF USDA FOODS (IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL)
_____________________________________________________________
ESC REGION 11 CHILD NUTRITION
Email: padams@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/childnutrition
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC11ChildNutrition