You are receiving this newsletter because you are enrolled in the WECA Food Program. |
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Your monthly news & updates |
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It's Time to Re-Enroll All the Children in Your Care
Sponsors are required to do this annually, so you know we couldn’t forget!
REMINDER: It is very important to submit your April claim on time (by midnight on May 5, 2021) due to the re-enrollment of all children.
The WECA Food Program has worked hard to develop a new process for you to enroll children right in CACFP.Net.
You must have a current email address for each household if you don’t already collect that information.
You will receive an email and a paper letter, with instructions, screenshots, and a video link, so watch for those in the next few days.
All children must be re-enrolled by June 5, so your May claim can be paid correctly.
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Your Required Provider Training is Due by 5/31/21
Your 2021 training must be completed by May 31, 2021 Please make sure to have your training completed on time. Contact your Area Coordinator with any questions.
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Important: Keep Daily Records |
Daily record keeping is a requirement of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. Late claims should be an exception, not a normal occurrence. Keep up with your entries so you don’t fall behind. |
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Building for the Future (Parent Letter)
You are required to distribute this letter In English or Spanish, as appropriate, to all daycare families. Providers should post this for all parents to have easy access to the information.
Meal Components
Make sure you are serving all meal components together at all meals. Providers may not withhold components for later. All components must be served at the same time.
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Offering Children a Meal
Simply asking a child if they are hungry or if they want breakfast is not considered offering a meal. “Offering” children a meal means that the food is on the plate and the child is sitting at the table.
Reminder: Offer Food Program to all Children
You must offer the Food Program to every child enrolled in your care; therefore, every child enrolled in your care must have an enrollment form on file for the Food Program.
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Celebrate the start of spring with this free activity page from the National CACFP Sponsor’s Association, which features a craft, fun activities, and two tasty recipes. |
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2 cups diced tomatoes, drained
1 quart green beans, with liquid
1/8 cup dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp fresh garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir well. Bring to a boil, uncovered over medium high heat for 5-10 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve 1/2 cup for 1/4 cup vegetable and 1/4 cup other vegetable.
(National CACFP Sponsor’s Association, www.cacfp.org March 30, 2021)
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Parent and Provider Resources |
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Apply for the Higher Tier Anytime |
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Has your household grown larger? Has your household income decreased? Do you now receive a qualifying service such as FoodShare? If so, you may qualify to receive the higher tier one rates. You may also qualify to claim the residential children living in your home, if applicable. Applications and federal income guidelines are found on the WECA website under Food Program Forms and Resources, Financial. |
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State Attendance Records are No Substitute
for Daily Meal Counts
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You must keep good business records and make them available to WECA, WI DPI, and/or USDA for review at any time during your normal business hours. If your records aren’t available, all meals/snacks that aren’t recorded must be deducted.
Your menus and meal counts (including each child’s name or ID number) must be recorded by the end of each business day.
State attendance records are not a substitute for your daily meal counts.
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Direct deposits are generally made on the first working day of each month. It depends on when WECA gets the funds from the government. Direct Deposit forms are found on the WECA website in English and Spanish. Check with your bank or credit union to see when it credits your deposit to your account. If your claim is received by the fifth of the month following the claim month, it will be processed for on-time payment.
We cannot guarantee payment for claims received thirty or more days after their due date.
Call to find out the Reimbursement date: 800-783-9322.
English press 1, press 2 for Food Program, press 1 for check mailing date.
Spanish press 2, press 2 for Food Program, press 1 for check mailing date.
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What to Do If You Can't Find Certain Foods in the Store |
Whole grains are still required at least one per day. If you normally serve whole grain bread, but can’t find it in the store, what can you do? It may be time to get creative!
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Are you finding food shortages of meat? Remember the food program category is meat/meat alternate. Start utilizing those meal alternates if you can’t find meat. Some examples are yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, string cheese, peanut butter, eggs, dry beans, peas, canned tuna, and canned chicken and frozen fish.
Need more ideas? Please contact your Area Coordinator for assistance.
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New CACFP Resource Mailing |
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Each site and family day care home provider participating in the CACFP is being mailed a packet of resources from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Community Nutrition Team as part of the USDA CACFP Meal Service Training Grant. NOTE: You may have already received your mailing.
Some of the resources will be referenced during future CACFP Tuesday Talks Webinars or the CACFP Ounce Equivalents for Grains Training. The packet contains a cover sheet detailing the resources included. Below is a list of resources included in the mailing, along with links to view them online.
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Protecting yourself with COVID-19 vaccination helps protect the children you care about. Join Dear Pandemic and the Early Care & Education Coalition of Wisconsin for a series of free webinars and Q&A sessions about COVID-19 & vaccines.
Protegerse con la vacuna COVID-19 ayuda a proteger a los niños quecuida. Únase a Dear Pandemic y a Early Care & Education Coalition of Wisconsin para una serie depresentaciones web gratuitas y sesiones de preguntas y respuestas sobre el COVID-19 y las vacunas.
Monday, May 17, 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19, 1-2 p.m.
NEW! Registry credit will be available.
Lunes mayo 17, 6-7 p.m.
Miércoles mayo 19, 1-2 p.m.
¡NUEVO! El crédito de registro estará disponible.
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The Provider Connection is published by the WECA Food Program Claims Director: Pam Polenz
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider |
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Explore more of what WECA has to offer:
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