Appendix B Web Survey About School Year 2023-24

OMB Clearance Number: 0584-0607
Expiration Date: xx/xx/20xx

State Agency Child Nutrition Director Survey
School Year 2023-2024
Sponsored by:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is collecting this information to understand how State agencies operated CN Programs
in SY 2023-2024. This is a mandatory collection. FNS will use the information to inform its planning, policy, and guidance
related to the Child Nutrition Programs. Because the personally identifiable information (PII) requested under this collection will
not be used to retrieve survey records or data, requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974 do not apply. Responses will be kept
private to the extent provided by law and FNS regulations. 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 0584-0607. The time required to complete this
information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 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,
1320 Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314, ATTN: PRA (0584-0607). Do not return the completed form to this
address.

1

Introduction
Intro.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has contracted
with Mathematica to conduct the School Meals Operations (SMO) Study. Having updated
information about school-based Child Nutrition (CN) Programs will help FNS effectively administer
these programs and inform policy and budget decisions.
This survey is collecting information on the following topics for School Year (SY) 2023-2024:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Meal Pattern Requirements
Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service
Buy American
Child Nutrition Data Systems

Cooperation by States and districts is required under Section 28 of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act. At the same time, recognizing the administrative effort associated with
participating in research studies, SMO has been designed to limit participant burden to the extent
possible. It should take about 30 minutes to complete the survey.
The information you provide about yourself and other individuals in your organization will be kept
private to the full extent allowed by law. This means that your personal information will be kept
private and not associated with any of your responses about your agencies’ operations. The
responses you provide about operations may be tabulated by State so that the public will be able
to determine how your agency operates CN Programs.
We thank you in advance for your time and cooperation in this important study. If you have any
questions about the study, please email [email protected] or call Mathematica
toll-free at 833-440-9475.

2

Instructions for Completing the Survey
PROGRAMMER NOTE: INCLUDE A LINK FOR THIS PAGE TITLED “Help” IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER
OF EVERY PAGE.
•

You may view a PDF of the full data collection instrument here. Note that this does not
include the display logic so you may see questions that do not apply to your State agency.

•

Question numbers may not follow sequentially as you proceed through the data collection
instrument. The numbers are only displayed to assist you in following along with the hard
copy, if desired.

•

If you need a colleague to complete a section of the survey, you should forward them the
email with the link to the survey. They do not need a separate link.

•

Avoid having multiple people logged into the survey at once. Responses may not be
recorded correctly if multiple users are logged into the survey at the same time.

•

If you or a colleague are returning to finish your saved survey, the program will return to the
“Survey Sections” menu. Use the menu to return to previous questions or start a new
section.

•

This survey has been optimized to run on a desktop computer and is best viewed in the
latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.

•

Click the "Next” button to progress in the survey. You must click this button to save your
responses. If you cannot complete the survey in one sitting, click the “Next” button
before you close your browser. Your answers will be saved.

•

Click the "Back" button to go to the previous question.

•

Use the buttons and links within the survey. Using your browser’s “Back” function may
cause errors.

•

Definitions for key terms are provided in the glossary located on the “Help” page. As you
complete the survey, you may return to this page at any point via the “Help” link in the lower
left corner of the window.

•

If you have any questions about the study or about completing this survey, please email
[email protected] or call Mathematica toll-free at 833-440-9475.

3

Glossary
Local program operators: SFAs, sponsors, or institutions that operate the National School Lunch Program
(NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), or Summer Food Service
Program (SFSP).
School food authority (SFA): The governing body that has the legal authority to operate a lunch or
breakfast program in one or more public or private schools.
Data systems: Digital systems used to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital
forms.
Digital forms: Digital forms are forms that are completed and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel
spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical
paper are considered paper forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and
saved electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).
Bulk food packages: Food packages that contain one or more items that could be used for multiple meals
or portion sizes. For example, a quart of milk provides four 1-cup servings.

4

Contact Information
CI1. Before starting the survey, please fill in the requested contact information below. If the
information below is prefilled, please review and update the information as necessary.
Please fill in the contact information for the State Child Nutrition Director below: (Update
where necessary)
First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone Number: (Please do not use parentheses or dashes)
Ext.
Email:
CI2. If you are not the State Child Nutrition Director, please fill in the name and contact
information of the primary contact:
First Name:
Last Name:
Title:
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone Number: (Please do not use parentheses or dashes)
Ext.
Email:

5

Survey Sections
PROGRAMMER: THIS IS THE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE. AFTER RESONDENTS HAVE
COMPLETED THE CONTACT INFORMATION SCREENS, EACH TIME THEY ENTER THE
SURVEY, THEY SHOULD COME TO THIS LANDING PAGE. AFTER FINISHING A SECTION,
THEY SHOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THIS LANDING PAGE TO SELECT WHICH SECTION
TO START NEXT. EACH SECTION LISTED SHOULD LINK RESPONDENTS TO THE
BEGININNING OF THAT SECTION. NEXT TO EACH SECTION LISTED BELOW, PLEASE
INCLUDE A STATUS INDICATOR OF “Not started”, “Incomplete”, AND “Completed.”
THE “Submit completed survey” LINK OR BUTTON SHOULD TAKE THEM TO THE SURVEY
VERIFICATION PAGE. DISPLAY SUBMIT BUTTON ONLY IF EACH SECTION HAS BEEN
STARTED. RESPONDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUBMIT SURVEY IF SECTIONS ARE
INCOMPLETE. IF SECTIONS ARE NOT STARTED, RESPONDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE
TO SUBMIT THE SURVEY.
Use the section buttons below to navigate to the survey sections. You may return to this page at
any time by clicking the “Survey Sections Page” button.
The status of each section is listed next to the section name below. Once you have completed all
sections, click “Submit completed survey” to finalize your responses.
A

Meal Pattern Requirements

B

Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service

C

Buy American Provision

D

Child Nutrition Data Systems

Submit completed survey

6

[STATUS
BUTTON]
[STATUS
BUTTON]
[STATUS
BUTTON]
[STATUS
BUTTON]

A. Meal Pattern Requirements
This section is about meal pattern requirements in your State.
IF STATE OVERSEES NSLP, SBP, OR SSO. (NSLP=1, SBP=1, OR SSO=1)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal pattern
requirements for SY 23-24 outline minimum nutrition standards for school meals served to children.
State agencies may establish additional meal pattern requirements beyond those set by USDA.
Current Standards
Added Sugars None
Milk

Flavored and unflavored milk may be offered for all grades K-12 (only fat-free and low-fat
milks are allowed).
Unflavored milk must be offered at each school meal service.

Sodium

Meet Sodium Target 1 for school breakfast
Meet Sodium Target 1A for school lunch

Grains

At least 80% of grains offered weekly must be whole grain-rich; remaining grain items
offered must be enriched.

A1.
NEW

Does your State agency have meal pattern requirements that exceed the USDA-set meal
pattern requirements for each listed nutrition standard? See the table above for current
nutrition standards.
Select one per row
Yes

No

Don’t
Know

a. Added sugars

1



0



d



b. Milk

1



0



d



c.

1



0



d



1



0



d



Sodium

d. Whole grains

7

B. Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service

IF STATE OVERSEES SSO (IF SSO=1)
This section is about non-congregate meal service through the NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
or the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in summer 2024.
B1a.
NEW

In summer 2024, how many non-congregate SSO meal sites were in your State?
Please enter the total number of non-congregate SSO meal sites in your State during summer
2024. Then select an option to indicate whether this is the actual number or your best estimate.
If you do not have enough information to provide a reasonably close estimate, please select
“Don’t Know.” If your State did not have non-congregate SSO meal sites in summer 2024,
please enter 0.

(RANGE: 0-6000)

NUMBER OF NON-CONGREGATE SSO MEAL SITES

 Actual number of non-congregate SSO meal sites ............................................. 1
 Estimated number of non-congregate SSO meal sites ........................................ 2
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE OVERSEES SFSP (IF SFSP =1)
B1b.
NEW

In summer 2024, how many non-congregate SFSP meal sites were in your State?
Please enter the total number of non-congregate SFSP meal sites in your State during summer
2024. Then select an option to indicate whether this is the actual number or your best estimate.
If you do not have enough information to provide a reasonably close estimate, please select
“Don’t Know.” If your State did not have non-congregate SFSP meal sites in summer 2024,
please enter 0.

(RANGE: 0-6000)

NUMBER OF NON-CONGREGATE SFSP MEAL SITES

 Actual number of non-congregate SFSP meal sites ........................................... 1
 Estimated number of non-congregate SFSP meal sites ...................................... 2
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

8

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1a>0 OR
B1b>0)
B2.
NEW

In summer 2024, how many non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0: SSO, IF B1a=0 AND
B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites in your State used each
listed meal delivery method?
Please provide your best estimate. If none, please enter 0.
Enter one number per row
Number of noncongregate [IF B1a>0
AND B1b=0: SSO, IF
B1a=0 AND B1b>0:
SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND
B1b>0: SSO and SFSP]
meal sites

Don’t
Know

a. Meal pick-up

d



b. Meal delivery

d



c. Other non-congregate meal service method that was not
meal pick up or meal delivery

d



IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1a>0 OR
B1b>0)
Sites with approval for conditional non-congregate meal service may distribute non-congregate
meals to participants who meet eligibility criteria in areas that are not normally eligible for
congregate meal service or participation in USDA Summer Meals programs (See 7 CFR 225.2 for
definition).
B3.
NEW

In summer 2024, how many conditional non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0: SSO, IF
B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites in your State
were approved to distribute meals?
Please provide your best estimate. If none, please enter 0.

(RANGE: 0-6000)

NUMBER OF CONDITIONAL NON-CONGREGATE [IF B1a>0 AND
B1b=0: SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0:
SSO and SFSP] MEAL SITES

 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

9

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1a>0 OR
B1b>0)
B4.
NEW

In summer 2024, approximately what proportion of non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0:
SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites in
your State were approved to distribute multiple days’ worth of meals?
 All .......................................................................................................................... 4
 More than half ....................................................................................................... 3
 About half.............................................................................................................. 2
 Less than half ....................................................................................................... 1
 None ..................................................................................................................... 0
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES THAT WERE APPROVED TO
DISTRIBUTE MUTLIPLE DAYS WORTH OF MEALS (IF B4=1, 2, 3, OR 4)
B5.
NEW

Among non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0: SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF
B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites approved to distribute multiple days’ worth
of meals in summer 2024, what was the most common number of days’ worth of meals
distributed?
 2 to 4 days’ worth ................................................................................................. 1
 5 to 7 days’ worth ................................................................................................. 2
 8 to 10 days’ worth ............................................................................................... 2
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1a>0 OR
B1b>0)
B6.
NEW

In summer 2024, approximately what proportion of non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0:
SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites were
approved to distribute bulk foods?
Bulk food packages are food packages that contain one or more items that could be used for
multiple meals or portion sizes. For example, a quart of milk provides four 1-cup servings.
 All .......................................................................................................................... 4
 More than half ....................................................................................................... 3
 About half.............................................................................................................. 2
 Less than half ....................................................................................................... 1
 None ..................................................................................................................... 0
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

10

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES THAT WERE APPROVED TO
DISTRIBUTE MUTLIPLE DAYS WORTH OF MEALS (IF B6=1, 2, 3, OR 4)
B7.
NEW

Among non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0: SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF
B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites approved to distribute bulk foods in
summer 2024, what was the most common bulk food distribution practice?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “bulk food”: Bulk food packages are food packages that
contain one or more items that could be used for multiple meals or portion sizes. For example, a
quart of milk provides four 1-cup servings.]
 Bulk milk only ........................................................................................................ 1
 Less than 50% of components issued in bulk ...................................................... 2
 50% or more of components issued in bulk ......................................................... 3
 All components issued in bulk .............................................................................. 4
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO OR SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1a>0 OR
B1b>0)
B8.
NEW

In summer 2024, approximately what proportion of non-congregate [IF B1a>0 AND B1b=0:
SSO, IF B1a=0 AND B1b>0: SFSP, IF B1a>0 AND B1b>0: SSO and SFSP] meal sites were
approved to distribute meals through parent or guardian pick-up?
 All .......................................................................................................................... 4
 More than half ....................................................................................................... 3
 About half.............................................................................................................. 2
 Less than half ....................................................................................................... 1
 None ..................................................................................................................... 0
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

11

C. Buy American Provision

IF STATE OVERSEES NSLP, SBP, OR SSO (NSLP=1, SBP=1, OR SSO=1)
The next set of questions is about Buy American during SY 23-24.
The Buy American provision requires SFAs to procure, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic
commodities or products. A domestic commodity or product is defined as an agricultural commodity
that is produced in the United States or a food product that is processed in the United States
substantially using agricultural commodities produced in the United States.
C1.
CNOPS-II
Year 3 edited

Does your State have a policy on the Buy American provision? State policies may be
identical to the Federal policy or may include Federal and/or State-specific policy
components.
 Yes, our State implements the Federal policy ...................................................... 1
 Yes, our State has a State-specific policy ............................................................ 2
 No, our State does not have a State-specific policy or implement the Federal
policy..................................................................................................................... 0 SKIP TO D1

IF STATE HAS A POLICY ON BUY AMERICAN PROVISION (C1=1 OR 2)
C2.
CNOPS-II
Year 3

What components are described in your State’s Buy American policy?
Select all that apply

 Buy American provision requirement to procure domestic
commodities or products ...................................................................................... 1
 Definition of a domestic commodity or product .................................................... 2
 Criteria for SFAs to determine exceptions to the Buy American provision ......... 3
 Requirement for SFAs to document the Buy American provision in
all procurement solicitations and/or contracts ...................................................... 4
 Requirement for SFAs to document the Buy American provision in
all procurement procedures and/or document prototypes.................................... 5
 Encouragement for SFAs to procure domestic foods from local, regional,
small, women-owned, and/or minority-owned businesses ................................... 6
 Encouragement for SFAs to order USDA Foods.................................................. 7
 State procurement reviews to ensure SFA compliance with the Buy American
provision ............................................................................................................... 8
 Other (Specify) ..................................................................................................... 99
Specify

(STRING 150)

12

IF STATE HAS A POLICY ON BUY AMERICAN PROVISION (C1=1 OR 2)
C3.
CNOPS-II
Year 3

How does your State agency ensure SFA compliance with the Buy American provision?
For each compliance review activity, please indicate the type of review your State uses to
check compliance.
Select all that apply per row or ’Compliance not
checked’
During
administrative
review

During
procurement
review

During
other
review

Compliance
not checked

a. Check that SFAs are procuring domestic
commodities/products

1



2



3



0



b. Check that contract solicitations contain
Buy American language

1



2



3



0



c. Check that contracts contain Buy
American language

1



2



3



0



d. Check that supplier invoices or receipts
show that solicited domestic
commodities/products were provided by
the contractor

1



2



3



0



e. Look at food product labels in SFA
storage facilities

1



2



3



0



f. Share sample Buy American language
that SFAs can use in solicitations,
contracts, and other documents

1



2



3



0



g. Other (Specify)

1



2



3



0



13

IF STATE HAS A POLICY ON BUY AMERICAN PROVISION (C1=1 OR 2)
Exceptions to the Buy American provision are allowed when the use of domestic foods is not practical.
That is, domestic foods are in inadequate supply, low quality, or substantially higher in price than nondomestic foods.
C4.
CNOPSII Year 3edited

Do you use any of the following information, documented by SFAs, to verify that an
exception to the Buy American provision is needed?
Select one per row
Yes

No

a. The domestic food product is in inadequate supply

1



0



b. The domestic food product is low quality

1



0



c. The domestic food product is substantially higher in price than the
non-domestic food product counterpart

1



0



d. Alternative domestic food product options were researched and
considered

1



0



e. The domestic food product availability or pricing was verified using a
third-party verification (for example, the Agricultural Marketing
Service report)

1



0



f. Other (Specify)

1



0



(STRING (NUM))

14

D. Child Nutrition Data Systems
ALL STATES
This section asks about the systems your State agency used to share and manage CN Program data.
The next few questions ask about whether your State agency relied on paper forms (as opposed to
digital forms) for any CN Program processes, such as, program enrollment or renewal, monitoring,
meal claims, procurement, or other processes in SY 2023-2024.
IF STATE OVERSEES NSLP AND SBP (IF NSLP=1 OR SBP=1)
D1.
NEW

For NSLP and SBP, did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital
forms) for any of the listed processes in SY 2023-2024?
Digital forms are forms that are completed and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel
spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word documents). Forms that were printed and
completed on physical paper are considered paper forms, even if the final completed paper form
was subsequently scanned and saved electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).
Select one per row
Yes, relied on
paper forms

No, did not rely
on paper forms

Don’t
Know

a. NSLP and SPB enrollment or renewal

1



0



d



b. Monitoring

1



0



d



c.

1



0



d



d. State procurement

1



0



d



e. Other process (specify)

1



0



d



Meal claims

15

IF STATE RELIED ON PAPER FORMS FOR PROCESSES LISTED IN D1 (IF D1A, D1B, D1C, D1D, OR
D1E=1)
D2.
NEW

Why did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for NSLP
and SBP [FILL RESPONSES FROM D1] in SY 2023-2024?
“Data system” refers to digital systems used to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data,
including digital forms.
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
Select all that apply
 No State data system for this process .................................................................. 1
 State data system has limitations (for example, cannot manage qualitative
observations from on-site monitoring). ................................................................. 2
 Paper forms or documents are required by State law or regulation ..................... 3
 Local program operators have limited internet access or limited access to IT
systems................................................................................................................. 4
 State agency staff choose to use paper forms ..................................................... 5
 Other reason (specify) ......................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE OVERSEES SSO (IF SSO=1)
D3.

For SSO, did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for any
of the listed processes in SY 2023-2024?
If no SFAs operated SSO in SY 2023-2024, please select that option.

NEW

[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
Select one per row
Yes, relied on
paper forms

No, did not rely
on paper forms

Don’t
Know

a. SSO enrollment or renewal

1



0



d



b. Monitoring

1



0



d



c.

1



0



d



d. State procurement

1



0



d



e. Other process (specify)

1



0



d



Meal claims

 No SFAs operated SSO ....................................................................................... 0

16

IF STATE RELIED ON PAPER FORMS FOR PROCESSES LISTED IN D3 (IF D3A, D3B, D3C, D3D, OR
D3E=1)
D4.
NEW

Why did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for SSO
[FILL RESPONSES FROM D3] in SY 2023-2024?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: For this study “data system” refers to digital
systems used to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
Select all that apply
 No State data system for this process .................................................................. 1
 State data system has limitations (for example, cannot manage qualitative
observations from on-site monitoring). ................................................................. 2
 Paper forms or documents are required by State law or regulation ..................... 3
 Local program operators have limited internet access or limited access to IT
systems................................................................................................................. 4
 State agency staff choose to use paper forms. .................................................... 5.
 Other reason (specify) ......................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE OVERSEES SFSP (IF SFSP=1)
D5.

For SFSP, did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for any
of the listed processes in SY 2023-2024?
If no sponsors operated SFSP in SY 2023-2024, please select that option.

NEW

[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
Select one per row
Yes, relied on
paper forms

No, did not rely
on paper forms

Don’t
Know

a. SFSP enrollment or renewal

1



0



d



b. Monitoring

1



0



d



c.

1



0



d



d. State procurement

1



0



d



e. Other process (specify)

1



0



d



Meal claims

 No sponsors operated SFSP ................................................................................ 0

17

IF STATE RELIED ON PAPER FORMS FOR PROCESSES LISTED IN D5 (IF D5A, D5B, D5C, D5D, OR
D5E=1)
D6.
NEW

Why did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for SFSP
[FILL RESPONSES FROM D5] in SY 2023-2024?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
Select all that apply
 No State data system for this process .................................................................. 1
 State data system has limitations (for example, cannot manage qualitative
observations from on-site monitoring). ................................................................. 2
 Paper forms or documents are required by State law or regulation ..................... 3
 Local program operators have limited internet access or limited access to IT
systems................................................................................................................. 4
 State agency staff choose to use paper forms. .................................................... 5
 Other reason (specify) ......................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE OVERSEES CACFP (IF CACFP=1)
D7.
NEW

For CACFP, did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for
any of the listed processes in SY 2023-2024?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]
Select one per row
Yes, relied on
paper forms

No, did not rely
on paper forms

Don’t
Know

a. CACFP enrollment or renewal

1



0



d



b. Monitoring

1



0



d



c.

1



0



d



d. State procurement

1



0



d



e. Other process (specify)

1



0



d



Meal claims

18

IF STATE RELIED ON PAPER FORMS FOR PROCESSES LISTED IN D7 (IF D7A, D7B, D7C, D7D, OR
D7E=1)
D8.

Why did your State agency rely on paper forms (as opposed to digital forms) for CACFP
[FILL RESPONSES FROM D7] in SY 2023-2024?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “digital forms”: Digital forms are forms that are completed
and saved electronically (e.g., online forms, Excel spreadsheets, fillable PDF forms, and Word
documents). Forms that were printed and completed on physical paper are considered paper
forms, even if the final completed paper form was subsequently scanned and saved
electronically (e.g., paper forms scanned to PDF).]

NEW

[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
Select all that apply
 No State data system for this process .................................................................. 1
 State data system has limitations (for example, cannot manage qualitative
observations from on-site monitoring). ................................................................. 2
 Paper forms or documents are required by State law or regulation ..................... 3
 Local program operators have limited internet access or limited access to IT
systems................................................................................................................. 4
 State agency staff choose to use paper forms. .................................................... 5
 Other reason (specify) ......................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SSO MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1A >0)
D9a.
NEW

The next few questions ask about use of data systems to manage data for certain
programs in summer 2024.
In summer 2024, to what extent was your State agency able to use existing data systems
to support implementation and administration of non-congregate meal service for SSO?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Exclusively used existing data systems ............................................................... 1
 Updated existing data systems............................................................................. 2
 Used a mix of existing and new data systems ..................................................... 3
 Developed all new data systems .......................................................................... 4
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

19

IF STATE HAD NON-CONGREGATE SFSP MEAL SITES IN SUMMER 2024 (IF B1B>0)
D9b.
NEW

In summer 2024, to what extent was your State agency able to use existing data systems
to support implementation and administration of non-congregate meal service for SFSP?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Exclusively used existing data systems ............................................................... 1
 Updated existing data systems............................................................................. 2
 Used a mix of existing and new data systems ..................................................... 3
 Developed all new data systems .......................................................................... 4
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

ALL STATES
D10.

Did your State agency operate the Summer EBT program in summer 2024?

NEW

 Yes........................................................................................................................ 1
 No ......................................................................................................................... 2
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE OPERATED SUMMER EBT PROGRAM IN 2024 (IF D10=1)
D11.
NEW

In summer 2024, to what extent was your State agency able to use existing data systems
to support implementation and administration of the Summer EBT program?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Exclusively used existing data systems ............................................................... 1
 Updated existing data systems............................................................................. 2
 Used a mix of existing and new data systems ..................................................... 3
 Developed all new data systems .......................................................................... 4
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

ALL STATES
D12.
NEW

From your perspective, how do your current CN data system(s) affect administrative
burden for your State agency?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Substantial decrease in burden ............................................................................ 1
 Small decrease in burden ..................................................................................... 2
 No impact on burden ............................................................................................ 3
 Small increase in burden ...................................................................................... 4
 Substantial increase in burden ............................................................................. 5
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

20

ALL STATES
D13.
NEW

Would you like FNS to follow up with your State to learn more about the strengths and
limitations of the data system(s) currently used to operate CN Programs?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Yes........................................................................................................................ 1
 No ......................................................................................................................... 2

ALL STATES
D14.
NEW

In SY 2023-2024, who provided enhancements, operations, and maintenance services for
your State agency CN data systems?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 In-house State agency staff ................................................................................. 1
 Vendor .................................................................................................................. 2
 Both In-house State agency staff and vendor ...................................................... 3
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

ALL STATES
D15.
NEW

Please indicate how your state CN data systems were hosted.
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
Select all that apply
 State agency on premise servers ......................................................................... 1
 State agency cloud servers .................................................................................. 2
 Vendor provided on premise servers ................................................................... 3
 Vendor provided cloud servers ............................................................................. 4
 Other (specify) ..................................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

21

IF STATE HAD A VENDOR SERVICE OR HOST CN DATA SYSTEMS (IF D14=2 OR 3 OR D15=3 OR 4)
D16.
NEW

How frequently does your State agency go through an acquisition process to secure CN
data systems operations and maintenance services?
[DISPLAY AS HOVER TEXT OVER “data system”: “Data system” refers to digital systems used
to share, store, and/or manage CN Program data, including digital forms.]
 Once a year ......................................................................................................... 1
 Every 2-3 years .................................................................................................... 2
 Every 4-5 years ................................................................................................... 3
 Never ................................................................................................................... 0
 Other (specify) ..................................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

IF STATE NEVER GOES THROUGH AN ACQUISITION PROCESS FOR CN DATA SYSTEMS
SERVICES (IF D16=0)
D17.

How are your vender contracts extended?

NEW

ALL STATES
D18.
NEW

Did your State receive a Technology Innovation Grant?
 Yes........................................................................................................................ 1
 No ......................................................................................................................... 2
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

22

IF STATE RECEIVED A TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION GRANT (E19=1)
D19.

For what purpose has your State agency used the Technology Innovation Grant?

NEW

Select all that apply
 Upgraded or added enhancements to an old system .......................................... 1
 Built a new system or replaced an old system ..................................................... 2
 Integrated existing systems .................................................................................. 3
 Added a review component .................................................................................. 4
 Built a new system or feature for S-EBT .............................................................. 5
 Streamlined local data transfers ........................................................................... 6
 Added features to support or improve monitoring and oversight ......................... 7
 Purchased technology equipment and/or software or hardware .......................... 84
 Hired new staff or contractors............................................................................... 9
 Trained new staff or contractors ........................................................................... 10
 Other (Specify) .................................................................................................... 99
 Don’t know ............................................................................................................ d

ALL
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Are you ready to submit your responses?
If you are ready, select "Yes" and press the "Next" button below and your survey will be
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ALL
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