Appendix B-16 FAQ for SFSP Sites

APPENDIX B-16. FAQ FOR SFSP SITES

OMB Control Number: 0584-XXXX

Expiration Date: XX/XX/20XX

Summer Meals Integrity Study FAQ

What is the purpose of the Summer Meals Integrity Study?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) summer meal programs provide children with the nutrition they need when school is out. USDA is committed to ensuring these programs are run efficiently and effectively so no child goes without consistent meals. Through the Summer Meals Integrity Study, USDA wants to hear from local organizations about how they operate summer meal programs, challenges they face, and useful resources and training. The information from this study will be used to improve the summer meal programs to best serve the public and the American taxpayer.

Who is sponsoring this research study?

This study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, also known as USDA, FNS.

Who is conducting this research study?

FNS hired an independent research organization, Westat, to conduct this research study, and Insight Policy Research is Westat’s partner. For more information about Westat, go to www.westat.com.

Who is participating in the research study?

Westat will host telephone discussions with 48 supervisors and directors of local organizations that run summer meal programs, such as yourself. To make sure we gather different perspectives, we will select a group of people that represent different regions, types of summer meal programs, program sizes and populations (e.g., primarily urban, rural, or suburban).

What am I being asked to do?

Westat would like to call you and ask how your summer meal program is run. We will ask questions about how the program works, and about any training your staff received when the program started. We will also ask about the challenges you face in running the program, and any additional support or training you think would be useful. The telephone discussion will last about 30 minutes.

Is participation mandatory?

The law governing the SFSP requires organizations participating in the program to cooperate in studies like this one, but your individual participation in this study is completely voluntary. Refusal to participate will not have any impact on your position, your organization, or child nutrition programs.

Why should I participate?

We need your input to understand how summer meal programs really operates at the local level. The information you provide will help USDA improve training and resources for the program. USDA understands that good customer service involves listening to feedback, understanding the unique needs of those who run the programs, and finding ways to meet those needs. Every organization that operates a summer meals program does things slightly differently, and it helps to talk with a lot of people to understand those differences.

Keep in mind that this is a research study; it is not an audit or monitoring visit. No one from USDA or the State agency will join the telephone discussion. The study will not affect your summer meals program.

Will my feedback be kept private?

All information gathered is for research purposes only and is kept private in accordance with the Privacy Act, to the extent provided by law. No one will be identified in the written reports.

What if I have questions? Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, you can contact Melissa Rothstein, the Project Director, at 301-315-5975 or via email at MelissaRothstein@westat.com.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is conducting this study to obtain information about the administration and oversight of the Summer Food Service Program and to identify potential barriers to ensuring the integrity and effective management of the program. Participation in this study is voluntary and the information collected will be used to determine resources, develop training, and provide technical assistance. Under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the System of Record Notice FNS-8 USDA/FNS Studies and Reports, any personally identifying information obtained will be kept private to the extent provided by law. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-XXXX. The time required to provide this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302 ATTN: PRA (0584-xxxx).

Summer Meals Integrity Study FAQ 1