Food and Nutrition Programs

FY25 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Training Opportunities and Resources

As required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) will provide training opportunities to CACFP sponsoring organizations on program regulations and operations. This memo includes a detailed list of training events scheduled for fiscal year 2025 (FY25).

To best meet the needs of programs, DESE is prioritizing development of on-demand training modules and complementary training resources for FY25. There will be an intentional reduction in the number of live virtual events to focus on updating and making available on-demand training content that is available at any time. Sponsors will be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the selection of on-demand trainings available in the CACFP Training and Resources folder in the Document and Reference Library (DRL).

For the live Zoom events, DESE will make presentations available after the event has concluded.

Live Zoom Trainings

The following training events are currently available for registration:

• FY25 Application Trainings: This training will detail what is required of programs to submit a completed application and highlight changes to the application packet for FY25. It is highly recommended that individual(s) from each Sponsoring Organization attend one of these trainings to ensure that the FY25 application is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
  • Thursday, August 22^nd, 2pm (90 minutes)
  • Wednesday, September 18^th, 11am (90 minutes)

  The FY25 CACFP application will be made available August 20^th, and all Sponsoring Organizations will receive notice via email when the application is available.

• CACFP Town Halls: MA DESE is continuing these bimonthly town hall-style events. These sessions will introduce any new materials, resources, guidance from USDA and/or DESE. Individuals can submit their questions or requests for topics to be covered in these sessions through an anonymous online survey.
  • Register once and attend any/all sessions!
    • Thursday, October 10^th, 12pm
    • Thursday, December 12^th, 12pm
    • Thursday, February 13^th, 12pm
    • Thursday, April 10^th, 12pm
    • Thursday, June 12^th, 12pm
    • Thursday, August 14^th, 12pm

On-demand trainings:

MA DESE continues to build up the online library of recorded trainings which can be viewed at any time. Please see the CACFP Training and Resources folder in the Document and Reference Library for all CACFP-related trainings, supports, and program resources.

1. Articulate & Rise360: DESE is pleased to announce the availability of a new training platform to complement the available PowerPoint presentations in the DRL. Articulate & Rise 360 is an online training platform that allows for self-paced, interactive training courses. MA DESE will be rolling out training content later this year and will announce when the new resources are available.

2. The Nutrition Bites for Child Care website continues to grow! This website hosts online training modules on the CACFP, including menu planning tools, recipes, and videos to support self-prep centers and home-based providers.

Newsletter & Training Spotlight

To complement the live and recorded training opportunities, DESE also regularly releases written communications to highlight upcoming events, important topics, and available resources.

• Fueling the Commonwealth newsletter: once a quarter (September 1^st, December 1^st, March 1^st, June 1^st) DESE releases the "Fueling the Commonwealth" newsletter. These newsletters are incredible resources filled with important upcoming dates, answer commonly asked questions, and highlight some seasonal food facts and link out to nutrition resources. All sponsors are highly encouraged to sign up to receive this newsletter.

• CACFP Training Spotlight: posted in the Document and Reference Library at the start of each month, the CACFP Training Spotlight is a collection of available training resources from DESE and around the web. Sponsors are encouraged to check out this resource monthly to see if any training or resources are of interest to them!

In-Person Training Opportunities

DESE has heard the feedback that many sponsors are interested in an opportunity to return to in-person training events. DESE will offer two ways for programs to receive in-person support from DESE:

• New Director/New Staff Training: Are you a new program director or manager of the CACFP? Do you have new program staff who need a "crash course" in what it means to run the CACFP? DESE will offer the opportunity for institutions to attend a full day training either at our office in Everett, MA or in central/western MA (specific location to be determined). The day will provide opportunities to learn about the most important pieces of operating the CACFP and offer opportunities for facilitated discussion and group work to help address common questions and concerns. Agendas and additional details will be made available closer to the event date(s).
  • January 7^th — Everett, MA
  • Early June 2025 — Central/Western, MA
    • Information about the central/western MA event (including a registration link) will be made as soon as final details are available.

Sponsors do not need to register for or attend both events—this will be the same/similar content provided in each event.

• DESE Delivered: On Site Training and TA: Are you struggling to understand concepts from online training? Would you like some additional help to "connect the dots" in your program to help with compliance? Are you looking for ways to expand and improve your program? MA DESE is offering the opportunity for a limited number of program operators to have a DESE consultant come to your site and provide personalized and targeted technical assistance (TA) and training. These events will be offered in a limited capacity, and programs must apply to be considered for this opportunity. Priority will be given to programs who have demonstrated they have already utilized available CACFP training resources and have specific and targeted needs for TA. Events will be scheduled throughout the fiscal year, based on both the program and the consultant's availability.
  • Learn more about and apply for this opportunity

Reminder: The designated "CACFP Responsible Contact(s)" is/are required to participate in CACFP training each year. Each sponsoring organization is responsible for ensuring that the individual(s) listed as their CACFP Responsible Contact is registered/has attended a training

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.