CACFP Head Start Boot Camp
September 26-28, 2023 on Zoom
Earn up to 11 Hours of CEUs
*Registration includes on-demand viewing through October 12, 2023.
Schedule
*All times are listed in Eastern*
Tuesday, September 26
11:00 am - 11:10 am | Boot Camp Welcome
11:15 am - 11:45 am | Meal Patterns 101
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | CACFP Regulations for Head Start
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Fueling Minds and Bodies in Head Start with Family-Style Dining
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm | Mastering Head Start Menus in the CACFP
Wednesday, September 27
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Civil Rights Complaint Procedures
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm | Fueling Healthy Growth in Early Head Start
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm | Understanding Meal Modifications in the CACFP
Thursday, September 28
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | A Change of Taste: Reducing Sodium in the CACFP
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm | Emergency Preparedness for Head Start
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Ask Us Anything: CACFP Head Start
Meet Our Speakers
Rhonda Kobylecky, CMP, CCNP, Director of Food Services, Acelero Learning
In addition to her role with a multi-state Head Start organization that serves over 5,000 children, Rhonda consults for Acelero’s sister program, Shine Implement. She enjoys training and sharing her CACFP, SERV Safe and Head Start knowledge with others. Rhonda is currently on NCA’s Board of Directors and received her degree from the College of Southern Nevada.
Lisa Mack, President & CEO, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Lisa works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the long-term operating plan to ensure the growth and success of the National CACFP Sponsors Association. Central to that plan is managing member relationships, resource and product development, training and conference programming, and partnership development. She has a BBA from Pace University.
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD; Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Isabel develops nutrition education materials and provides informational webinars on nutrition to support stronger program operations. She has a strong background and passion in working with low-income communities of various cultures, while working on graduate research projects and working in the nonprofit, food banking environment for eight years. Isabel has an MS in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University.
Jami Rokala, MS, RDN, LD, CLC, CMP, CCNP; Owner, Headwaters Nutrition Counseling
Jami has worked as a child nutrition professional for the state of ND as a Child Nutrition Specialist as well as the Child Nutrition Manager for Head Starts/Early Head Starts and Migrant and Seasonal Head Starts throughout the state of MN and ND. In her current work she contracts with Head Start agencies as the RDN and has a focus on 0-18 year olds struggling with anxious, avoidant, or selective eating and nutrition concerns.
Alexia Thex, MEd, Director of Policy & Partnerships, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Alexia is charged with expanding NCA’s advocacy on policy matters and advancing the mission and interests of association members and stakeholders while forming mutually long-term, beneficial partnerships with corporations and organizations fitting the mission of NCA. Through her career in development, Alexia has also raised funds for Downtown Houston YMCA, the Holocaust Museum Houston and her children’s schools. She has an MEd in Exercise Physiology from the University of Texas.
Sheila Tompkins-Hess, Program Officer, Department of Child and Family Services
Sheila has been a supporter of Head Start for much of her life. She attended Head Start as a child and then worked as a teacher, a director and a supervisor for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Sheila loves working with children and helping staff to increase their skills with the children they support. Sheila has been a trainer at NAEYC, state conferences and ECE trainings in Las Vegas. She attended UNLV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Watch for email confirmations and event access instructions in August. Add nca@cacfp.org to your safe email sender list so our communications don't get lost in your spam or junk filters.
Programming
Tuesday, September 26
11:00 am - 11:10 am | Boot Camp Welcome
Lisa Mack, National CACFP Sponsors Association
11:15 am - 11:45 am | Meal Patterns 101
Head Start centers play a critical role in serving nutritious foods to those they serve. The CACFP guides you on how to provide healthy meals using five food components which make up the meal service requirements: grains, fruits, vegetables, meats/meat alternates and milk. Learn when these components are required and how they fit into the CACFP meal pattern. ~ 0.5 CEU Specialty 2
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | CACFP Regulations for Head Start
Operating CACFP in Head Start is a requirement, but do you know the differences between what’s a CACFP regulation and what is mandated by Head Start? Learn what the Head Start performance standards that govern child nutrition are and how they align with the CACFP to provide good nutrition to children. Gain an understanding of the requirements and hear about the latest updates in Head Start performance standards for child nutrition. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 4
Rhonda Kobylecky, CMP, CCNP, Acelero Learning
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Fueling Minds and Bodies in Head Start with Family-Style Dining
Unlock a world of learning opportunities during meal times in Head Start sites through Family Style dining. Equip your staff or team with a deep understanding of the performance regulations surrounding this meal service model, empowering them to create enriching experiences. Discover how to seamlessly incorporate Math, Science, Language, and Literacy into meal times, transforming them into valuable educational moments. Get practical guidance on aligning meal service with academic goals while ensuring compliance with CACFP and Head Start regulations. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 2
Sheila Tompkins-Hess, Department of Child and Family Services
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm | Mastering Head Start Menus in the CACFP
Navigating the complexities of developing a CACFP Head Start menu can often be overwhelming and confusing. What crucial information should you include on the menu to be in compliance? Do you include ounce equivalency, serving size, or both!? Moreover, are there specific documents you should maintain while planning your menu? Learn how to create menus stress-free while meeting CACFP requirements in Head Start as we guide you through the process. Get confidence and clarity in your menu development endeavors. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 2
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Wednesday, September 27
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Civil Rights Complaint Procedures
It's a requirement for operators of CACFP to ensure non-discrimination in the administration of the program and knowing how to establish a written procedure for handling civil rights complaints related to discrimination is important. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Civil Rights Complaint Procedures and learn how to develop a Self-Assessment Checklist, essential components for compliance. Enhance your knowledge, strengthen your agency's commitment to civil rights in the CACFP, and be inspired by a real-life example showcasing the successful execution of these procedures. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 7
Rhonda Kobylecky, CMP, CCNP, Acelero Learning
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm | Fueling Healthy Growth in Early Head Start
Early Head Start sites must often manage two different meal patterns when complying with CACFP requirements based on the age of the children in their care. Learn the differences between feeding infants and toddlers to ensure optimal nutrition and program compliance. Gain valuable insights on how to create balanced and age-appropriate menus, address specific dietary considerations for infants, and implement practical strategies for promoting healthy eating habits to foster a positive mealtime environment. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 2
Jami Rokala, MS, RDN, LD, CLC, CMP, CCNP, Headwaters Nutrition Counseling, LLC
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm | Understanding Meal Modifications in the CACFP
Have you ever received a parent’s or doctor’s note describing a meal modification or substitution to serve a child in your care? Maybe you have felt confused or overwhelmed on how to modify the menu to ensure foods are safe to serve to a participant with a disability. Learn about the requirements for having a medical statement to serve safe and reimbursable foods in the CACFP. Identify creditable and non-creditable milk substitutions in the CACFP and understand the documentation needed. Gain valuable knowledge on tailoring foods for special diets, including vegetarian, pureed, and gluten-free diets. Empower yourself with the information and guidance to confidently address meal modifications and provide suitable options for participants with specific dietary needs in the CACFP at your Head Start site. ~ 2 CEUs Specialty 1
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Thursday, September 28
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | A Change of Taste: Reducing Sodium in the CACFP
Sodium plays an essential role in our body but consuming too much can cause us harm over time. In the CACFP, it is recommended to serve foods high in sodium. Learn about the the impacts of sodium and how to reduce sodium while still retaining flavor in the meals you serve. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 1
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm | Emergency Preparedness in Head Start
The pandemic taught us to always be one step ahead and prepared for the unknown. Discover ways to integrate emergency preparedness and planning into your facility operation plans while including all departments. Practice writing your own emergency plans to support your program and outline your next steps. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 4
Sheila Tompkins-Hess, Department of Child and Family Services
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Ask Us Anything: CACFP Head Start
Join us for an unscripted, dynamic, and real conversation focusing on CACFP for Head Start. Bring your questions – you can ask us anything about CACFP for Head Start – and we’ll answer as many as we can. ~ 1 CEU Specialty 2
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association
Jami Lee-Rokala, MS, LN, CCNP, CFPM, CLC, Tri-Valley Head Start
Rhonda Kobylecky, CCNP, CMP, Acelero, Inc.
Sheila Tompkins-Hess, Department of Child and Family Services
On Demand | Playing Around: Making Physical Activity Part of Your Program
Being healthy is not only based on the foods we serve but also how we stay moving throughout the day. Learn why keeping children active should be an important part in everyday activities and how essential physical activity is to child development. Get ideas on how to incorporate new, fun, physical activity games into your program. ~ 0.5 CEU Specialty 1
Alexia Thex, MEd, National CACFP Sponsors Association