Announcements and Alerts

Public Notification - Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Waiver Requests

Date: April 17, 2025

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for relief from certain requirements of the SSO and SFSP to allow for flexibility in meal service during times of excessive heat and poor air quality:

Non-congregate meal service during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures
Parent and guardian meal pick-up during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures
Meal service times during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of School Health and Wellness, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-8951.

Public Notification – Waiver Request, Coordinated Services Plan

Date: February 10, 2025

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request to defer the January 1, 2025, compliance date for the Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program (Summer EBT) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Public Notification - CNP Final Integrity Rule Delayed Implementation, CACFP Monitoring Requirements

Date: August 8, 2024

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request to delay certain provisions of the Child Nutrition Programs Final Integrity Rule, which was published on 8/23/23 and has a compliance date of 8/23/24. Specifically, RIDE is requesting to delay the requirement to review CACFP Sponsors engaging in "activities other than CACFP" on a two year cycle.

If granted, this waiver would allow the State Agency time to ensure that state and local level staff have been properly trained on program requirements and that there is a standardized process in place to meet regulatory requirements related to CACFP monitoring.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.

Public Notification - CNP Final Integrity Rule Delayed Implementation

Date: June 28, 2024

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request to delay certain provisions of the Child Nutrition Programs Final Integrity Rule, which was published on 8/23/23 and has a compliance date of 8/23/24. Specifically, RIDE is requesting to delay the requirement to annually review bank account activity for Sponsoring Organizations participating in the CACFP to begin with the program year starting October 1, 2025.

If granted, this waiver would allow the State Agency time to ensure that state and local level staff have been properly trained on new program requirements and that there is a standardized process in place to monitor compliance.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.

Public Notification - Waiver Requests, Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2024-2025

Date: June 28, 2024

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request, which will provide meal service flexibility to LEAs in the event of unanticipated school closures during school year 2024-2025.

SFSP & SSO (School buildings are closed with no virtual learning) - These waivers apply to SFSP and SSO when school is closed due to unanticipated school closures in certain circumstances. This applies when school buildings are closed and virtual classes are not offered. If approved, these waivers are effective through June 30, 2025 and will offer flexibility in the following areas:

Non-congregate Meal Service
Meal Service Times
Parent and Guardian Meal Pick-Up
Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closures (SFSP/SSO)

NLSP & SBP (School buildings are closed with virtual learning) - These waivers are intended to provide needed flexibility to support school food authorities (SFAs) in continuing to offer nutritious meals during unanticipated school building closures due to the unanticipated, in certain circumstances, when virtual classes are offered. If approved, these waivers are effective through June 30, 2025 and will offer flexibility in the following areas:

Non-congregate Meal Service
Meal Service Times
Parent and Guardian Meal Pick-Up
Offer versus Serve

CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Program - These waivers apply to the at-risk afterschool component of CACFP only. These waivers are intended to provide needed flexibility to support at-risk afterschool centers in continuing to offer nutritious meals during unanticipated school closures, in certain circumstances. If approved, these waivers are effective through June 30, 2025 and will offer flexibility in the following areas:

Non-congregate Meal Service
Meal Service Times
Parent and Guardian Meal Pick-Up
Enrichment Activity

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.

Public Notification - CEP Notification Deadline Waiver Requests

Date: April 12, 2024

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request to extend the CEP Notification Deadlines as follows:

April 15 deadline for the State Agency to notify LEAs of district-wide eligibility status and LEAs to submit school-level eligibility information to the State Agency to April 29
May 1 deadline for the State Agency to post the list of eligible and near eligible LEAs and schools to their website to May 15

If granted, this waiver would allow the State Agency time to ensure they are providing LEAs with the most accurate data and that the public notification is equally as accurate.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.

Public Notification - Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Waiver Requests

Date: March 7, 2024

Non-congregate meal service during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures
Parent and guardian meal pick-up during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures
Meal service times during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures
Service of meals at school sites for unanticipated school closures

If granted, these waivers would allow Sponsors of the child nutrition programs to provide uninterrupted meal service to children 18 years and under in the summer months when outdoor conditions may not be safe for congregate meal service and during unanticipated school closures in the regular school year when meal service options are limited due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety, or other issues as approved by the State Agency for similar unanticipated circumstances during the remainder of the 23-24 school year.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.