C2_Regional Office Email Notification to States

C2. Regional Office Email Notification to States

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Regional office Email Notification to States

Sent to: [Child Nutrition (CN) Directors from Sampled States]

Subject: USDA’s Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS-II)

Dear [State Child Nutrition (CN) Director],

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is sponsoring the second Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings (SNACS-II) in the 2022-2023 program year. This important study will look at nutrition and wellness policies and activities in child care centers, family child care homes and before and after school programs across the country. It will help providers, sponsors and USDA understand how the CACFP operates so that it can better help children learn and grow. SNACS-II will provide an updated picture of the CACFP and examine how key outcomes have changed since updated meal pattern requirements went into effect to encourage healthier eating. Mathematica and its partner, Westat, are conducting SNACS-II for USDA.

Our region’s support for SNACS-I during the 2016-2017 program year was important to its success and we hope that you can provide the same assistance and support for SNACS-II. Your state is among 25 across the country that have been sampled for this study, which means that CACFP sponsors and providers within your state will be selected for participation. In the coming weeks, you will be contacted by a representative from Mathematica who will provide you with additional information about the study and directly enlist your support. To help select the study sample, they will ask you to provide a list of all CACFP providers in your State, along with other information. I have attached a copy of the study FAQs as well as an endorsement letter from the USDA.

Information gathered for SNACS-II is for research purposes only and will be kept private to the full extent allowed by law. Responses will be grouped together. No staff, parents or children will be identified by name. Being part of the study will not affect CACFP benefits for programs or families.

If you have questions about the study, you can contact the project team toll-free at [study phone], email [study email], or visit [URL]. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this important study!

Sincerely,

[FNS Regional Office Liaison]

[Position]

Attachments: [Study FAQs, USDA Endorsement Letter]