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<p class="MsoNormal">The USDA has decreased the threshold for schools to be able participate in the Community Eligibility Program to 25% beginning in SY25. Maine has over 100 SAU’s that fall into this threshold, and we expect those schools to take advantage
of this program, as it streamlines meal service, lessens the administrative burden to child nutrition programs and will also leverage the use of federal funds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A USDA webinar will be held for School Food Authority staff on February 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM EST and the registration information can be found here:
<a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-6rpjsuHo_35cXc2Jni8V1nI-jq2-k" target="_blank">
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-6rpjsuHo_35cXc2Jni8V1nI-jq2-k</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They also updated guidance for the program and those documents may be found on our
<a href="https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/nslp/specialprovisions">
website</a>, in the Special Provisions section.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will be offering Maine specific training for Child Nutrition Staff, Business Managers, or any staff persons who may manage the Direct Certification List. This training will review the program, show how to find your ISP, explain grouping
of schools, and go over timelines.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are offering those trainings:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monday Feb 26<sup>th</sup> at 1:30 pm - <a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/g/P48PC5jK50">
register here</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday March 5<sup>th</sup> at 10 am - <a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/g/KXq1v1mqk7">
register here</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thursday March 15<sup>th</sup> at 10am – <a href="https://forms.microsoft.com/g/Bmf91U4Gjy">
register here</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These dates and times have been shared on the Child Nutrition Thursday Update, but we wanted to make sure that all involved parties had an opportunity to register for these trainings.<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Jane McLucas (she/her/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Director of Child Nutrition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Maine Department of Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">136 State House Station <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Augusta, ME 04333-0136<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Email</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">:
<span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="http://jane.mclucas@maine.gov/"><span style="color:#0070C0">jane.mclucas@maine.gov</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Office</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">: 207-624-6880<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Cell</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">: 207-215-5761<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0070C0"><a href="http://www.maine.gov/doe" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> |
<span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Facebook</span></a></span> |
<span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="https://twitter.com/mdoenews" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Twitter</span></a></span> |<span style="color:#0070C0">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Instagram</span></a></span> |
<span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="https://mainedoenews.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE Newsroom</span></a>
</span>| <a href="https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition">Child Nutrition</a><br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><img border="0" width="192" height="70" style="width:2.0in;height:.725in" id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DA5A87.A1878930"></span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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