Training

Colorado Department of Education Professional Development

The School Nutrition Unit offers online, in-person and webinar trainings to increase school nutrition professionals’ skills and knowledge in operating child nutrition programs. These trainings provide USDA Professional Standards hours and count as Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential. Please contact, Alicia Grove, at grove_a@cde.state.co.us or 720-795-2038, for questions about School Nutrition training offerings and any accessibility needs.

I Am Looking For:

Online Trainings

On demand professional development opportunities

These resources are self-paced and can include online learning modules, archived webinar recordings, and more. They are also mobile accessible.

In Person Trainings

Upcoming professional development opportunities

These opportunities are scheduled in-person trainings hosted by CDE School Nutrition.

Important Moodle Information

CDE School Nutrition is moving all online trainings to a new platform. To access the online trainings and receive professional standards credit, you need to register for a FREE Moodle account. Registration only takes a few seconds to complete. Once you have submitted your registration, our office will create your account. You will receive an email to confirm your Moodle account and then you will be able to access the trainings. If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Grove at grove_a@cde.state.co.us or 720-795-2038.

Upcoming Webinars

On the Menu Monthly Calls

Join the September call- Thursday, September 23, from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Register for the September On the Menu call
- September's call will cover the Farm to School sub-grant application requirements. Applications open Tuesday, September 7 and are due by Thursday, October 14. To view the application and other details visit the Farm to School and Summer webpage.
General Information
- Held the fourth Thursday of each month from 2-3 p.m. MST
- Topics are determined monthly based on School Food Authority/sponsor requests
- Complete this online form to submit topics for discussion

Income Verification Webinar

Tuesday, September 28, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Register for the income verification webinar
Attendees will learn program requirements, how to process submitted documentation from households and use customer service skills to help households respond to the income verification request. Verification will remain a requirement for any sponsor collecting free or reduced-price meal applications regardless of which program is being operated (SSO or NSLP).

Recorded Webinars

On the Menu Calls

August On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learned about civil rights requirements in Child Nutrition Programs. The call covered public notification requirements, Civil Rights complaint procedures, racial/ethnic data collection, program accommodations, and satisfies the annual Civil Rights training requirement.
- Recorded on August 26, 2021.
- August On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
July On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn about school meal eligibility processes (income applications, templates, and direct certification) for school year 2021-22
- Recorded on July 22, 2021.
- July On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
May On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn about Child Nutrition Program implementation for school year 2021-22 including USDA waivers.
- Recorded on May 27, 2021.
- May On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
April On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn ways to reduce food waste and tips to increase sustainability in menu planning.
- Recorded on April 22, 2021.
- April On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)

February On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn about community engagement for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) from Colorado sponsors, Hunger Free Colorado, and Cooking Matters.
- Recorded on Feb. 25, 2021.
- Feb. On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)

January On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn about Special Dietary Needs and COVID-19 success stories from districts across the state
- Recorded on Jan. 28, 2021. [Short technical disruption in the beginning of the recording]
- January On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)

Colorado School Nutrition Unit and Nourish Colorado Meal Quality Trainings

Meal Quality Training #1: Participants review food safety during COVID-19, identify and build communication and marketing strategies, and learn new ways to set teams up for success through partnerships, equipment, and meal prep ideas
- Recorded on Sept. 30, 2020
- Click here to download the training certificate
Meal Quality Training #2: Participants learn to evaluate varying presentation techniques, ideas for special diets, and best practices to efficiently assemble meals
- Recorded on Dec. 2, 2020
- Click here to download the training certificate
Meal Quality Training #3: Creating efficiencies and taking care of your future self.
- Recorded on Feb. 24, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.
Meal Quality Training #4: Participants learn more about time management plus culinary techniques and recipes, all designed to help you use up products in your inventory
- Recorded on April 21, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.

Other Webinars:

Back to School Planning Session at CSNA Recording: During this session at the Colorado School Nutrition Association (CSNA) Summer Conference, participants learned about USDA waivers and program requirements for school year 2021-22. This session includes information about implementing Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and available resources.

Recorded on June 15, 2021
Back to School Planning Session-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)

October 1 Count/Free Lunch Webinar Recording

Participants learn about October count submission and the importance of reporting free lunch eligibility accurately.
- Recorded on Sept. 16, 2020.

School Meal Eligibility Webinar Recordings

Please contact Alicia Grove for mobile-friendly versions of the recorded webinars.

Training Requests

CDE School Nutrition offers training and technical assistance outside of announced and regional trainings. Complete and submit the Training and Technical Assistance Request Form and School Nutrition staff will follow-up with your request.