The CNAAT training content is applicable for both program staff (National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program) and State agency technology staff.  We encourage each State agency administering CNPs to consider sending both program staff and technology staff (i.e., business analysts, system analysts, data analysts, etc.) to participate in the training.  Please note that for State agencies with active Administrative Reviews and Training (ART) and Child Nutrition Technology Innovation (CNTI) grants, this training was referenced as the “annual FNS technical assistance meeting” in the grants request for application.  All State agencies with active ART and CNTI grants are expected to send up to two grant project staff to the CNAAT training, which may increase the number of attendees for these States.

CNAAT will address topics such as:

• Planning and managing system development, implementation and maintenance projects.
• Conducting State procurements and managing IT contracts with vendors.
• Collaboration between State agencies, industry and FNS on best practices in technology to improve program access and integrity.
• Conducting business analysis and developing business/functional requirements for CN systems.
• Selecting technology solutions to improve program operations.
• Improving data reporting and analytics.
• Testing systems and software to ensure quality performance.
• Bridging the communication gap between program and technical staff.

The training activities are scheduled for three days beginning at 8:00 am on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, and ending at 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 14, 2020.  All training sessions will be held at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, VA located at 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, Virginia, 20190.  We have reserved a block of rooms under the designation CNAAT 2020 at the $256.00 per night Federal government rate. The hotel will guarantee the $256 nightly rate for rooms in the block through April 20, 2020.  Reservations can be made after that date as long as rooms are available, but the hotel cannot guarantee room availability or the Federal rate after April 20, 2020.

You may make your hotel reservations by accessing the following Hyatt Regency reservation link:

Travel to the training is an allowable and appropriate use of State Administrative Expense funds.  Please remember that Federal funds provided to State agencies for administration of the CNPs are not to be subject to State budget restrictions or limitations, including travel restrictions.  States with active ART and CNTI grants may pay costs of travel with ART or CNTI grant funds, to the extent that their approved grant budget includes travel costs for the “annual FNS technical assistance meeting” or CNAAT training.

Please download the pdf below for a draft list of training topics, although the detailed agenda is subject to revision.  A final agenda will be available mid-April 2020.