Tuesday Morning - April 6, 2021 An Update on Federal and State Policy Issues from SNATable of Contents COVID-19 Policy Updates USDA Issues Waiver to Streamline SFSP Application Process GAO Publishes Report Revealing Stark Impacts on School Meal Programs Federal Policy The Summer Meals Act of 2021 State Snapshots Oregon Presents Amendment to Expand School Breakfast and Lunch Programs Washington Appropriates Funds to Evaluate Students’ Seat Time Utah Drafts Bill Allocating Revenue to the School Meals Program Mark Your Calendars Upcoming SNA Webinars Louisiana Fit Kids Mystery Chat Corner COVID-19 Policy Updates USDA Issues Waiver to Streamline SFSP Application ProcessOn April 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the waiver "Nationwide Waiver to Allow Sponsors that Successfully Participated in the SFSP in FY 2019 to Operate as Experienced Sponsors in FY 2021." This waiver allows state agencies to use a streamlined application process for sponsors that did not operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 due to COVID-19 but did in FY 2019.GAO Publishes Report Revealing Stark Impacts on School Meal ProgramsOn March 31st, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the report "COVID-19: Sustained Federal Action Is Crucial as Pandemic Enters Its Second Year." This report illustrates the overall decrease in the number of meals served through child nutrition programs due to school closures, outlining operators' financial issues and increasing food insecurity among children. However, the number of children still participating in these programs during the pandemic is currently unknown as some families may be accessing nutrition assistance through other programs. This report echoes the financial strains and decline in program participation in SNA's Report on Reimbursement and Meals Served in 2020. Back to the top The school nutrition team at Charleston County Schools in South Carolina stands ready to serve the students in their community to-go meals. Back to the top Federal PolicyThe Summer Meals Act of 2021Representatives Don Young (AK-At Large) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the bipartisan bill H.R. 783, the Summer Meals Act of 2021. This legislation aims to help integrate education over the summer and the summer meals programs by reducing red tape for public-private partnerships. This bill also appropriates $10,000,000 in competitive grants for institutions that provide school meals. Read Congressmen Young's press release. Back to the top State Snapshots Oregon Presents Amendment to Expand School Breakfast and Lunch Programs Amendment 2 of SB 225 directs Oregon's Department of Education to use funds set aside in the Statewide Education Initiatives Account to support statewide education initiatives, including expanding school breakfast and lunch programs. Washington Appropriates Funds to Evaluate Students’ Seat Time SB 5451 appropriates $66,000 to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to evaluate and implement best practices and procedures for ensuring that student lunch periods include a seated lunch duration of at least twenty minutes. Utah Drafts Bill Allocating Revenue to the School Meals Program HB 371 directs Utah's Department of Alcohol to deposit 10% of the total gross revenue from liquor sales within the state to the Uniform School Fund to help support the school meals program. Back to the top Mark Your Calendars Upcoming SNA Webinars Learn about hot topics in school nutrition and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with SNA’s popular professional development webinars. If you missed a particular webinar, catch up with SNA’s on-demand webinars. LEAD to Succeed™: Facilitating “LEARN to Master Difficult Conversations” Training Your StaffWednesday, April 28, 2021, 3:00 PM EST In this session, Sandra Ford, SNS, will take participants on a “guided tour” of the new Facilitator Guide that accompanies the first module of the LEAD to Succeed™ training program for school nutrition professionals. The Facilitator Guide for “LEARN to Master Difficult Conversations” will help you explain the critical nature of communication skills, provide training to help staff develop skills to engage in difficult conversations, and improve productive discussions in the workplace. You will also hear from directors who have taken Module 1 training and hear insight on how you can bring these materials back to your staff. Louisiana Fit Kids Understanding Childhood Obesity Webinar Series – Part 1 Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 1:30 PM CST "Understanding Childhood Obesity Webinar Series," hosted by Louisiana Fit Kids, a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Education and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. This live event will feature Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk and Dr. Candace Myers with Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Dr. Leah Robinson from the University of Michigan. This series will provide information on current childhood obesity trends and statistics, the relationship between obesity and food insecurity, and the impact of physical activity in preschool and school-age children. Registration is open to school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, child nutrition program staff and other stakeholders. Mystery Chat Corner On April 6, 1947, which famous award show recognizing excellence in live Broadway theatre premiers in New York City? A: The Tony Awards Back to the top