B-1. Initial Study Notification E-Letter to all FNS Regional CN Directors

APPENDIX B-1. INITIAL STUDY NOTIFICATION LETTER TO ALL FNS REGIONAL CHILD NUTRITION DIRECTORS

OMB Number: 0584-NEW

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Dear Regional Child Nutrition Directors,

This letter serves as an official study notification of the Evaluation of the School Meal Data Collection Process (“School Meal Forms Study”). Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has contracted with Westat, Inc. to help conduct the School Meal Forms Study to map the data collection process for the FNS-10 Report of School Program Operations, FNS-742 School Food Authority Verification Collection Report, and FNS-834 State Agency (NSLP/SNAP) Direct Certification Rate Data Element Report forms. Data collection will take place in four States during School Year 2017–2018, with planning activities currently underway. More information about the School Meal Forms Study can be found in the attached FAQ document.

By fall 2017, the research team will select the four States to participate in this study. Site visits will be conducted in the selected States between February-June 2018 at which time the researchers will lead in-person interviews with the State Child Nutrition Director, the State SNAP Director, 10 School Food Authority (SFA) Directors, and 30 School Food Managers in each State. The purpose of these visits is to map the data collection processes for each form, and identify problem areas and opportunities for improvement.

If a State in your region is selected to participate in this study a second letter will be sent to you to notify you of the selection. If no State from your region is selected this will be the only notification letter you receive.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study please contact the Project Director, Allison Roeser: [insert study email address], [study phone number].

Thank you,

[SIGNATURE]

Jess Saracino

Chief, Operational Support Branch

Program Monitoring and Operational Support Division

Child Nutrition Programs

Food & Nutrition Service, USDA

[email protected]

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-NEW. The time required for the Regional Child Nutrition Director to provide this information collection is estimated to average 3 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.