Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. USDA Proposed Rule on Professional Standards

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

USDA Proposed Rule onProfessional Standards


In 2009…

February 4, 2014 – Proposed Rule Released

HHFKA Passed with Provision on Prof. Standards

Recommendations Submitted to Congress/USDA

SNA Task Force on Professional Standards

Organizations Interested in Prof. Standards Inclusion in 2010 CNR


Just the Facts

• FNS issued a Proposed Rule on Professional Standards for School Nutrition Professionals.

• SNA immediately activated the Professional Standards Task Force to craft official response.

• SNA encourages you to provide comments to SNA on thoughts and concerns.

• Members can also submit own comments to USDA.


Just the Facts• The Proposed Rule implements four

directives from the HHFKA: – mandatory minimum education, training and

certification requirements for school nutrition directors;– annual training and certification requirements for local

school nutrition personnel;– criteria and standards for the selection of State Agency

directors with responsibility for NSLP and SBP; and– mandatory state-provided annual training of local

educational agency and school nutrition personnel in administrative practices under the NSLP and SBP.


Just the Facts

• The requirements of the Proposed Rule will not take effect until July 1, 2015.

• Education/experience qualifications will not apply to current personnel.

• Requirements will only apply to persons hired on or after July 1, 2015.

• Continuing training requirements will apply to all personnel .


Feedback Process

Agree

Neutral

Disagree


Required Minimum Education Standards:Directors in ≤ 2,499 School Districts

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent educational experience, with academic major or concentration in listed fields; OR

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent educational experience, with any academic major or area of concentration, and a State-recognized certificate in listed fields; OR

• Associate’s degree, or equivalent educational experience, with academic major or concentration in listed fields; and at least one year of relevant school nutrition programs experience; OR

• High school diploma (or GED) and 5 years of relevant experience in school nutrition programs.


Required Minimum Education Standards:Directors in 2,500-9,999 School Districts






Required Minimum Education Standards:Directors in ≥ 10,000 School Districts






Poll!

Agree

Neutral

Disagree


Preferred Minimum Education Standards

• Directors in ≤ 2,499 School Districts:

• Directors hired without an associate’s degree are encouraged to work toward attaining one.


Preferred Minimum Education Standards:

• Directors in 2,500-9,999 School Districts:

• Directors hired without a bachelor’s degree strongly encouraged to work toward bachelor’s.


Preferred Minimum Education Standards:

• Directors in ≥ 10,000 School Districts:• Master’s degree, or willingness to work toward a

Master’s degree.• At least one year of management experience,

preferably in school nutrition, strongly recommended.

• At least 3 credit hours at the university level in food service management plus at least 3 credit hours in nutritional sciences.


Poll!

Agree

Neutral

Disagree


Minimum Prior Training Standards

• At least 8 hours of food safety training 3 years prior to their starting date or completed within 30 days of start date.

• For all newly hire directors regardless of school district size.


Required Minimum Training & Education Standards

Directors Managers Staff (20+ Hours)

15 hours 12 hours 8 hours

Required for all current and new hires regardless of school district size.


Poll!

Agree

Neutral

Disagree


State Agency Standards

• State directors hired after July 1, 2015 required to have:– Bachelor’s degrees, – Knowledge and experience in institutional food service,

operations, management, business and/or nutrition education, and

– additional leadership and management skills related to child nutrition.

• Degree needs to have concentration in listed fields.• Strongly prefer a Master’s degree, five years of experience

and professional certification.• 15 hours of additional annual training.


State Agency Provided Training

• State agencies must:– 18 hours of annual training to SFAs and state distribution

agencies.• Topics include:

– administrative practices– accuracy of approvals for free and reduced price meals,– the identification of reimbursable meals at the POS, – nutrition, health and food safety, – any other topics designated by FNS


Poll!

Agree

Neutral

Disagree


How SNA Can Help

• SNA’s Governing Council will be proactive in ensuring that its Certification / Credentialing programs meet the requirements as specified by the USDA professional standards;

• Any changes would be subject to the date of implementation of the proposed Professional Standards; and

• SNA is working with the USDA to provide informational webinars that can provide further clarity on the interpretation of the requirements


Questions?

Documents

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. USDA Proposed Rule on Professional Standards