Alaska DEED sets mandatory CACFP training schedule starting July 21

Annual training is required for designated Food Program Contacts and representatives at Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsor organizations in Alaska this summer, with the first sessions beginning July 21. If a Food Program Contact cannot attend, the organization must still send a representative, preferably someone directly involved with the food program.

Who Attends Which Session

Food Program Contacts at child care centers, adult care centers, outside school hours care sites, at-risk afterschool sites that are not school districts, and emergency shelters must attend all three days of virtual training July 21 through 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. School district representatives already attending the NSLP training on July 28 do not need to attend the July 21 through 23 centers training.

At-risk afterschool sites operated by school districts have a separate, school-district-only session July 28 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Family day care home sponsors attend a standalone session July 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Sponsoring organizations that also operate centers should attend both the July 29 session and the centers administrative training.

Head Start programs have a separate three-day session August 11 through 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Centers and Head Start programs may attend each other's training if they cannot make their designated session, as the core concepts are the same, though some differences exist.

A training for new administrators is scheduled July 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. The session is optional for new program administrators and food program contacts. Experienced administrators are not required to attend.

Civil Rights Training

All operators must also complete Civil Rights Training via recorded video. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development noted that certificates are generated through a Smartsheet self-certification form. "Certificates are generated nightly, so please watch your inbox," the department said. Program operators are also encouraged to complete Procurement Training, available online.

DEED is sending calendar invites to Food Program Contacts. Questions can be directed to [email protected].