Recruitment and Retention Grant

The Recruitment and Retention Grant is administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) to address workforce sustainability challenges within school nutrition programs. Backed by a $10 million appropriation through Senate Bill 121, this competitive grant supports school food authorities (SFAs) in recruiting and retaining qualified food service personnel to meet the increased demands of Universal Meals implementation and ensure high-quality student nutrition services statewide. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund one-time costs associated with staffing initiatives that improve the availability and quality of meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Allowable uses include signing bonuses, one-time bonuses for existing staff, recruitment activities, and scheduling adjustments that enhance access to school meals. The grant also supports professional development for food service staff, with a focus on increasing capacity for scratch cooking, using sustainable and organic ingredients, and preparing meals for restricted diets. To qualify, SFAs must be public school districts, charter schools, or county offices of education operating the NSLP and SBP under an approved agreement with the CDE’s Nutrition Services Division. They must be in good standing and possess a valid CNIPS ID. Additionally, to apply for the R&R Grant specifically, an SFA must have a written plan to solicit input from relevant stakeholders, including labor unions, HR departments, administrators, and parents, on how staffing strategies will improve student meal access. Applications must be submitted via an online portal by an authorized CNIPS contact no later than January 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM Pacific Time. Incomplete or late submissions, or those sent via mail, fax, or email, will not be accepted. The application includes a detailed scoring rubric assessing proposed staffing types, use of funds for professional development, strategies to improve meal service, and incentives for employee retention and recruitment. Positions such as Registered Dietitians, Chefs, and Procurement Specialists receive the highest point allocations. Upon approval, CDE will distribute 90 percent of the awarded amount upfront. The remaining 10 percent will be disbursed following the submission and approval of a final report detailing how funds were spent. All awarded funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2028. SFAs are encouraged to deposit funds into general accounts to avoid limitations associated with cafeteria fund regulations, and indirect costs are not allowable. Grant recipients must comply with expenditure tracking and ensure that all activities directly support the goals of the School Nutrition Programs.

Specify high-need roles like Registered Dietitians or Chefs; include clear, measurable impacts of recruitment strategies on meal access and staff capacity.