School Management Solutions hosted a webinar last week featuring Roth&Co Accounting & Assurance Manager Yisroel (Israel) Lowinger, CPA. The webinar discussed the most common compliance mistakes SFAs make in operating their child nutrition programs, and how to avoid them.

 

You can watch the 25-minute recap below, and view the webinar slides here.

For further guidance, please reach out to School Management Solutions at info@smsny.net or 718-480-5606.

 

 

The SMS Team

NSLP

As the summer comes to a close, we’d like to remind you of several upcoming deadlines. We advise schools to manage their deadline task lists as much as possible in advance of the Yom Tov season.

 

To complete prior to LEA start date:

• Annual Renewal: Complete the required Annual Renewal on CNMS and submit school calendar to representative. (Click here for sample calendar.)
• Procurement: Conduct procurement in order to maintain the most reasonable/cost-efficient vendors.
• Public Announcement: Produce public announcement (see sample here) and distribute to a media publication. Keep a copy on file and record send date and publication source.
• Update Policies: Annually review and update Food Safety Plans, procurement and Wellness Policy.

 

To complete prior to start of school and again within the first 30 operating days of school:

• DCMP: Conduct Direct Certification Matching Process (DCMP) by establishing a master list of students with current benefits. (Sample roster here)

 

To complete toward the beginning of the school year:

• Notify Local Health Department: Notify local health department that two health inspections are required for your SFA to participate in NSLP/SBP. Include a list with all sites and addresses within your SFA which serve meals. Keep a copy of this letter on file. (Sample letter here)
• Civil Rights Training: Complete civil rights training (linked below). File the Power Point and record of the annual training (date/location of training, sign-in sheet and name of presenter).

Civil Rights Training (English)

Civil Rights Training (Yiddish)

 

To complete within the first 4 weeks of program operation:

• Afterschool Snack Program: Conduct the 1st Afterschool Snack Program Review (form here).

 

To complete by September 30th:

• Annual Analysis of Cash Resources Report: Submit the Annual Analysis of Cash Resources Report on CNMS for the previous school year.

 

To complete by October 15th: 

• Health Inspection Report: Submit Health Inspection Report for the previous school year on CNMS. Indicate the number of health inspections performed at each school/site within the LEA. (If none were performed, enter zero.)

 

As always, please reach out with any questions. We’re just a call or email away.

 

The SMS Team

Below are the latest NSLP and SFSP updates and deadlines.

NSLP

SFA Applications

School Food Authority (SFA) applications are due on June 30^th, 2023.  This is an opportune time for all entities who are interested in joining a child nutrition program to do so. Programs listed in the SFA application include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the Snack Program.

Please note that if you are applying for a CN program for the first time, you can apply for CEP in the same application.

 

New State Funding Available for CEP Schools

The enacted FY2024 NYS Budget includes an additional $134.6M for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) State Subsidy to expand access to free school meals. The CEP State Subsidy ensures all CEP meals are reimbursed at the “free rate.” To receive this new funding, schools must be enrolled in CEP for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

Applications for CEP for the 2023-2024 school year are due on June 30, 2023.  

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has requested a waiver for this deadline to be extended to August 31, 2023. Further guidance will be available upon waiver approval.

 

Return to Pre-Covid Federal Reimbursement Rates

The Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 increased federal support for the 2022-2023 school year by 40 cents for each lunch meal and 15 cents for each breakfast meal. Please note that this increased funding will expire on June 30, 2023.

 

SFSP

Experienced Sponsor Renewal

All entities returning to SFSP this summer must complete the online renewal process by June 1^st, 2023.

To renew your SFSP status, login to the CN website and click Program > SFSP Profile/Renewal. Enter the 2023-2024 school year and click ‘find.’ At the top of the page you’ll find links to the renewal application and renewal checklist.

 

Deadlines

June 1^st, 2023 | Experienced Sponsor Renewal Deadline

June 1^st, 2023 | New Camp Site Information Sheet Deadline

June 30^th, 2023 | CEP Application Deadline

June 30^th, 2023 | SFA Application Deadline