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Training
The School Nutrition Unit offers online, in-person and webinar training to increase school nutrition professionals' skills and knowledge in operating child nutrition programs.
These trainings provide USDA Professional Standards hours and count as Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential. Use the Professional Standards training tracker to document participation in continuing education opportunities.
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On the Menu and other Webinars
On the Menu Calls are held the fourth Thursday of each month from 2-3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Topics reflect current happenings and required annual training and provide opportunities for networking with peers. In addition to monthly On The Menu calls, School Nutrition offers training on a variety of topics to ensure child nutrition professionals are prepared to operate healthy, efficient, and compliant programs. All trainings are announced in the Dish bi-weekly newsletter and are offered from 2-3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Click on the title to register.
- November 14: Verification Collection Report Training
- November 21: Special Dietary Needs
In-Person Trainings
School Nutrition offers periodic in-person trainings and technical assistance via a regional model that cover a wide range of relevant topics to support effective child nutrition operations.
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Self Paced Online Training
CDE School Nutrition uses the Moodle platform for all online training. To access online training and receive professional standards credit, you must have a Moodle account. Accounts are free.
Recorded Webinars
After watching these recorded webinars, please complete the training evaluation if available.
On the Menu Recordings
September 2024: Income Verification Webinar
School Nutrition covers how to verify information on free and reduced-price meal applications.
August 2024: School Nutrition Programs Key Operations for SY 2024-25
School Nutrition covers key actions for SY 24-25 operations with an emphasis on implementing the Community Eligibility Provision operating recommendations and related meal claiming procedures.
July 2024: Eligibility
School Nutrition provides training on eligibility timelines, required notifications, determining eligibility status and distributing and processing forms.
May 2024: Direct Certification Implementation
School Nutrition provides training on how to complete the required Direct Certification process, including upload instructions, timelines, and how to accurately apply free and reduced statuses.
April 2024: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor Training #2
School Nutrition provides training on innovations and promising practices to implement SFSP.
March 2024: Community Eligibility Provision ISP Reporting
School Nutrition provides details on CEP program requirements and ISP data submission.
February 2024: The Power of Farm to School
School Nutrition provides strategies to connect and collaborate with producers, menu planning with local food and easy swaps to incorporate local food into school and summer meals.
January 2024: School Nutrition Updates & News
School Nutrition provides important updates on Summer EBT, Healthy School Meals for All, upcoming trainings, and new data and trends in school meals.
November 2023: Healthy School Meals for All
School Nutrition provides updates from across the state on HSMA implementation to date and share more information for the two new options going into effect for the 2024-25 school year: Local Food Program and Wages & Stipends.
October 2023: Strategies to Address Hiring Challenges: Sponsor Panel
Four Colorado sponsors share successes, challenges and best practices for hiring and retaining staff in child nutrition programs. School Nutrition also provides new staffing resources and an update on how Healthy School Meals for All options can support staff hiring.
September 2023: Income Verification
School Nutrition provides important information about the process to confirm free or reduced-price meal eligibility based on income and/or assistance program information provided on applications.
August 2023: Back to School Checklist
School Nutrition provides important information to ensure a smooth start for School Year 2023-24 operations, including an emphasis on claiming federal and state reimbursements.
May 2023: Direct Certification
School Nutrition provides important information to complete the direct certification process including file requirements, how to upload the student enrollment file, additional possible matches, extended eligibility, and how to obtain the full list of directly certified students.
April 2023: Healthy School Meals for All Updates & Universal Pre-K
School Nutrition provides the latest updates on the Healthy School Meals for All program, an overview of the Universal Pre-K program that goes into effect SY2023-24, and implications for serving meals to preschool students.
February 2023: Identified Student Percentages and Healthy School Meals for All Updates
School Nutrition provides details on how to calculate Identified Student Percentage (ISP), how to report ISP, and the latest updates on the Healthy School Meals for All program. School Nutrition also spends approximately 30 minutes answering participant questions.
January 2023: Community Eligibility Provision - Learning from Peers
School Nutrition provides a brief update on the Healthy School Meals for All program and then a panel of food service directors currently implementing CEP discusses challenges, best practices, and successes.
November 2022: Healthy School Meals for All Program Overview
School Nutrition provides an overview of the Healthy School Meals for All program.
Other Recorded Trainings
September 2024: Local Food Program Grantee Webinar SY 2024-25
August 2024: Procurement Training
May 2024: Implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
March 2024: Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer-EBT) Training
March 2024: Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Training #1
March 2024: Mid-Year Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Implementation
October 2023: What to Expect for the Administrative Review
August 2023: Farm to School & Local Food for Schools webinar
May 2023: Annual Renewal Application Tutorial
May 2023: Annual Renewal Application Tutorial
April 2023: Implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Civil Rights, August 2022
Civil rights requirements in Child Nutrition Programs. The call covered public notification requirements, Civil Rights complaint procedures, racial/ethnic data collection, program accommodations, and satisfies the annual Civil Rights training requirement.
Program Tips and Tricks
How to access and use new marketing materials to showcase your child nutrition program.
How to take your food photography and social media marketing skills to the next level.
Ways to reduce food waste and tips to increase sustainability in menu planning.
Colorado School Nutrition Unit and Nourish Colorado Meal Quality Trainings
Meal Quality Training #1:
Participants review food safety during COVID-19, identify and build communication and marketing strategies, and learn new ways to set teams up for success through partnerships, equipment, and meal prep ideas.
Meal Quality Training #2:
Participants learn to evaluate varying presentation techniques, ideas for special diets, and best practices to efficiently assemble meals.
Meal Quality Training #3:
Creating efficiencies and taking care of your future self.
Meal Quality Training #4:
Participants learn more about time management plus culinary techniques and recipes, all designed to help you use up products in your inventory.
Kitchen Math Training:
Use kitchen math skills to reduce waste and improve portion control in your school meals program.
Recipe Reading and Development Training:
Learn how to read and develop a standardized recipe and use fresh herbs and spices to enhance your school meals.
Questions?
- Read Moodle User Instructions
- Please contact schoolnutritiontraining@cde.state.co.us for questions about School Nutrition training offerings and any accessibility needs.
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Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Contact CDE
CDE Hours
Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
October 28, 2024
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