December 13, 2010
Dear Child Nutrition Program Sponsor/Agency:
Compliance and Monitoring Module of the CNIPS
The California Department of Education (CDE), Nutrition Services Division (NSD) is committed to keeping you informed of the most current progress in implementing the final module of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS). As you know, the CNIPS is the Web-based system used to streamline your administrative responsibilities for the application and meal claims processes for the Child Nutrition Programs.
The CNIPS Compliance and Monitoring (C&M) module will streamline your administrative responsibilities by allowing you to submit your corrective actions generated during your National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Coordinated Review Effort or your Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Administrative Review online. We anticipate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) corrective action module to be available later next year. In addition this module will also be utilized as a way to register for a large variety of educational opportunities provided by the CDE or other designated educational providers (e.g., Cal Pro-Net)
This correspondence informs you of the following:
- Timeline for rolling out the CNIPS Compliance & Monitoring Module
- Plans for sponsor training
Status of the Compliance and Monitoring Module
The CDE has completed the design phase of the CNIPS C&M module. The CDE is completing the necessary User Acceptance Testing. This test activity allows our staff to make sure the system is ready for your use. During this testing process, the CDE will continue to update our agencies on our progress and implementation timeframes. The CDE anticipates that our sponsors will start using the C&M CNIPS module in early spring 2011.
Sponsor/Agency Training
The CNIPS is an easy-to-use system that does not require extensive training prior to implementation. The CDE plans to provide the following training tools and/or options:
- CNIPS C&M Module User Manual
- Integrated help feature within the CNIPS
- Recorded online software simulation
- One-on-one assistance with a designated CDE specialist
Obtaining a CNIPS User ID, Password, and Help Desk Assistance
You should already have your CNIPS User ID and password that were provided to you with the implementation of the previous CNIPS modules. You will use the same log-in procedure as you do when you submit your application or claim.
The designated CNIPS administrator’s primary role is to be the point of contact for CNIPS-related communications. The CNIPS administrator is able to assign additional CNIPS User IDs and passwords to staff that will need to access the CNIPS for C&M related activities. Should you need additional assistance with your password, or accessing the C&M module, please contact the CNIPS Help Desk. The Help Desk is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can contact the Help Desk by phone at 800-952-5609 (select option 6), or by e-mail at CNIPS@cde.ca.gov.
The CDE Challenge
Once the CNIPS C&M module is available to sponsors and agencies, you can contact the CNIPS Help Desk for technical problems. We are committed to ensuring that your Child Nutrition Program receives reliable program guidance and assistance. The CDE will be providing you with regular updates about the CNIPS. Currently, you can access general information on the CDE CNIPS Project Information Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cn. Future updates to this Web page will include information on the status of the C&M module.
Thank you for your continued support as we implement the CNIPS. We are very excited about the improvements in customer service and access to data that the CNIPS will provide. If you have any questions, please contact Lori B. Strickland, RD, CNIPS Sponsor Training Coordinator, Nutrition Services Division, at 916-327-4770, or by e-mail at CNIPSTrain@cde.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Bramson, Director
Nutrition Services Division
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814