Latest Coronavirus Updates
Headlines
This page contains News for all programs. To view News for specific programs,
please select from the options below: 

New Notification Form and Comprehensive Guidance Related to Unanticipated School Closures

Published: 27 days ago
" TDA has created an updated Unanticipated School Closure Notification Form that is available on the NSLP Administration/Forms page. School districts recently affected by recent weather events that served summer meals during school closures should consult new guidance in the School Year FAQs and submit the Notification Form.
"
The following guidance has been recently added to the School Year 2022-2023 FAQs available on the NSLP Policy/ARM SquareMeals page and the COVID-19 dedicated page on SquareMeals.

If a school closes due to an unanticipated event without plans to offer instruction, the school can serve meals under “unanticipated school closure” (USC) requirements as follows:

• Operate an SSO (preferred) or SFSP site under USC requirements. TDA will approve CEs to serve meals under SSO or SFSP during a USC. Additionally, USDA has issued a waiver allowing schools to serve SSO or SFSP meals at the school site during a USC. CEs must adhere to the following guidelines:

o Ensure that a site application is open for the applicable program and that it reflects the dates and times of service. Because SFSP applications cannot be back-dated, any CE choosing SFSP must wait to serve reimbursable meals until the application is approved. SSO is the preferred program because CEs can submit an SSO site application with a prior date of service, allowing for emergency service to be implemented immediately.

o All area eligibility requirements are in effect for SY 2022-2023. A site serving summer meals during a USC must be at or in the attendance zone of an eligible school. For the most current list of eligible schools, see the 2022 - 2023 School Data for Area Eligibility report (
https://squaremeals.org/Portals/8/FND%20Forms/Program%20Forms/School%20Data%202022%20-%202023.pdf) posted on the NSLP SquareMeals Administration/Forms page and also in TX-UNPS Download Forms.

o CEs must notify TDA as soon as possible about the USC service via the new Unanticipated School Closure Notification Form (
https://form.jotform.com/230363786220150), which is posted on the NSLP Administration/Forms page and the NSLP Policy/ARM page under Policy Updates.

o Meals served must only be claimed for days that school would have normally been in session.

o Under either summer program, through April 30, 2023, per USDA-granted waiver, sites may use non-congregate meal service, meal service time deviations, and parent pick-up flexibilities. The CE must notify TDA of its intent to serve non-congregate meals via the Unanticipated School Closure Notification Form.

CEs not wishing to operate a summer program may choose to operate CACFP At-Risk during the closure. The school may offer a lunch and snack that meet all CACFP At-Risk regulations, including roster and enrichment activity requirements. These sites can be located at the school, and service can occur on the weekend if these times are approved in the site application. However, grab-and-go non-congregate service is not authorized by current waivers.

CEs that operated a summer meals program during recent weather events must ensure their site applications reflect the correct program and dates of service. Additionally, they must submit the USC Notification Form.

 

###




Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
SquareMeals.org Logo


Facebook Icon Instagram Icon
Twitter Icon YouTube Icon