Help in Implementing the SMI

SMI Workshops
To facilitate the adoption of the new guidelines, cadre training for SMI workshops was arranged in March 1997. In April 1997, local level SMI workshops were conducted by the cadre, reaching 1500 SFS employees.
 
Teleconferences
"Teleconference II: Taking the Steps" aimed to define and clarify what constitutes compliance with the School Meals Initiative and to give SFSD the opportunity to practice applying the dietary guidelines to menu planning and/or modifying menus to meet the Nutrient Standards.

In July 1997, 50 SFSD in the Cadre were trained to facilitate the second teleconference. In August 1997, this teleconference reached 570 SFS employees at 24 downlink sites in PA. Their knowledge and attitudes about the SMI review improved significantly (p<0.0001). SeeProject PA Abstracts.

Project PA's third teleconference was conducted on May 2, 2000.  "Teleconference III: Making it Work", presented case studies of the steps taken by 2 PA SFSD's to meet the SMI guidelines.  Best Practices in school meals programs across the state were showcased in video and discussion formats.  Other topics covered were: Steps to successful SMI Action Planning and using resources to enhance implementation of an Action Plan.

21 Master Instructors and 15 PDE staff members met in April 2000 to prepare to facilitate the teleconference, which was then broadcast in May to 24 downlink sites across PA with over 500 people again participating.

Local Workshops by the Cadre and the Master Instructors
In October 1997, 35 SFSD were trained to serve as Cadre for "Menu Planning Options" workshops. The same fall, in November 1997, "Menu Planning Options" workshops arranged by SFS Cadre at 19 sites in PA reached 1100 SFS employees.

Master Instructor training was started in the summer of 1998. By September 2004, over 200 local level workshops were conducted by Master Instructors which reached about 4,900 SFS employees.