Director of Child Nutrition Academy
2023 Registration is Now Open!
Note: For 2023, the classes will be 100% online. The program features live online instruction as well as a few select self-paced classes.
Class Schedule for 2023 (8 am to 3 pm PST)
- March 24, 25
- April 28, 29
- May 19, 20
- September 22, 23
- October 20, 21
- December 1, 2
The United States Department of Agriculture has become more stringent on academic requirements for Child Nutrition Directors and requires specialized training and ongoing instruction. This academy is designed as a complete program to meet state training requirements and prepare directors for the demand of leading one of the largest departments in any school district.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The ACSA/TSS Director of Child Nutrition Certificate Academy has been created as a comprehensive program designed to produce new or improve the existing skills of experienced Child Nutrition directors. The class consists of a broad base of education and training that occurs both in the classroom setting and by practical application. The Academy situates the Child Nutrition directors in his or her role within the organization, the structure of school districts, and the critical function of a school district’s nutrition services division and its impact on the educational program. Instruction will revolve around several major themes including Child Nutrition funding, Special Provision options, preparing for the administrative review, meal access and reimbursement, menu planning, resource management, food safety, procurement, human resources/personnel, collective bargaining, and other federal programs and reviews.
The course will provide an opportunity for participants to expand their skill set in a challenging yet encouraging environment. Specialized assignments and class projects are done individually and as part of small teams, and learning is evaluated with monthly assessments and a final exam. Participants who successfully complete the course will be issued an ACSA/TSS Director of Child Nutrition Certificate.
Presenters
The lead instructor for the program Jose’ Alvarado has worked for 34 years in education, most recently as the Food Services Director for Fresno Unified School District. Jose Alvarado has obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree and Master’s in Business Administration from California State University Fresno along with a Chief Business Official Certification from an SB352 State Board of Education certified training provider. He has also presented for the California Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on various school nutrition topics at local, state, and national workshops and training venues.
Other presenters for the program are amongst the highest caliber professionals in the state and include current and retired school administrators as directors from agencies such as the California Department of Education Child Nutrition Division. The Director of TSS Classified Training Programs is TSS Executive Vice President Dr. Joseph Pandolfo who brings over 30 years of education industry experience and who oversees the program and moderates many sessions to ensure the continuity of the curriculum.
Note: For 2021, the academy will begin 100% online and will meet towards the end of the program if it is safe to do so. The program features live online instruction as well as a few select self-paced classes.
Remaining Class Schedule for 2021-22 (8 am to 4 pm)
October 8, 9
November 5, 6
Course Curriculum
| Introduction to Child Nutrition and Director of Nutrition Services as a Leader | |||
| Unit 1 – Introduction to Child Nutrition | 00:00:00 | ||
| Director of Child Nutrition Inventory Skills Assessment | 360, 00:00 | ||
| District and Nutrition Services Funding | |||
| Session 2 | 00:00:00 | ||
| Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 | |||
| Unit 2 – Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – Special Provision Options / State Meal Mandate | 00:00:00 | ||
| Director of Child Nutrition Month 1 Assessment | 2 months | ||
| Special Provision Options / State Meal Mandate | |||
| Director of Child Nutrition Academy Assessment 3+4 | Unlimited | ||
| Preparing for the Administrative Review (A/R) | |||
| Unit 3 – Preparing for the Administrative Review (A/R) – Meal Access and Reimbursement | 00:00:00 | ||
| Meal Access and Reimbursement | |||
| Director of Child Nutrition Academy Session 5+6 | Unlimited | ||
| Meal Pattern and Nutritional Quality | |||
| Unit 4 – Meal Pattern and Nutritional Quality / Resource Management | 00:00:00 | ||
| FUSD Food Services Non-Program Foods Procedure | 00:00:00 | ||
| Resource Management | |||
| School Nutrition General Program Requirements – Section A | |||
| Unit 5 – School Nutrition General Program Requirements / Section A-B | 00:00:00 | ||
| CNA Session 7+8 Quiz | Unlimited | ||
| DCN Session 9 + 10 Quiz | Unlimited | ||
| School Nutrition General Program Requirements – Section B | |||
| Food Safety | |||
| Unit 6 – Other Federal Programs and Reviews / Food Safety | 00:00:00 | ||
| DCNA Session 11 + 12 Quiz | Unlimited | ||
| Other Federal Programs and Reviews | |||
| Unit 7 – Food Service Procurement, Ethics, Program Marketing, and Promotion | 00:00:00 | ||
| DCNA Session 7 Quiz | Unlimited | ||
| Food Allergies and Special Diets / Program Marketing and Promotion | |||
| Human Resources / Personnel, Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration | |||
| Unit 8 – Human Resources / Collective Bargaining / Effective Public Speaking / Writing Skills/ Personal Goals | 00:00:00 | ||
| Effective Public Speaking / Personal Goals / Working with the District Team / Professional Growth / Graduation | |||
| Special Education and Wellness | |||
| Final Exam | |||
| Director of Child Nutrition Final Exam | 03:00:00 | ||
| 00:00 | |||
| District and Nutrition Services Funding | 00:00:00 | ||
Course Reviews
Related Courses
38 STUDENTS ENROLLED
“I would highly recommend your Director of Child Nutrition Academy to anyone who hasn’t attended it yet. I was so new at that time and learned so many things that have helped me along the way ever since! I also felt like the makeup of our class was so diverse in terms of time on the job so that the input was incredible!! I cherish the friendships we made and always look forward to seeing my colleagues at events and hearing from them!”
Debbie Anderson
Food Services Supervisor
Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District
“I’m happy to recommend the academy – I found the experience to be a great networking opportunity that allowed for peer-to-peer learning and engagement!”
Micha James, M.S.
Nutrition Services Director
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
“As for the course it was a learning experience that allowed me to network with others who work in similar positions. Whether they were seasoned or new to the position, a big district or small district we all have to follow the guidelines. Being able to talk and ask questions openly was helpful for me. Plus, I value the friendships I made with my classmates. I would definitely recommend the course.”
Lisa Ludwig
Food Service Supervisor
Atwater Elementary School District
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“The class was very informative for a new director and also an excellent review course for the experienced Director. It also was great for networking and sharing ideas with other Directors.”
Angela Baxter, RD
Director of Food Service
Saint Helena Unified School District
Highly recommend.
Jose was a great teacher and I enjoyed meeting the other presenters. It was a very informative class, especially for someone new to school food service. It was also helpful to get the perspective of staff from a larger district.