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Q&A Regarding Child Nutrition Program Oversight, Administration, and Reporting During COVID-19

4/19/2021

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Summary:

Given that Program operators may be operating different Programs at different times of the year than traditional operations, this memorandum includes questions and answers that are intended to provide clarifications to State agencies and Program operators regarding the oversight and administration of Child Nutrition Programs.

The following is a summary of the Q&A portion related to CACFP. For full guidance, read the full text HERE.

1. What Child Nutrition Programs do State agencies and local Program operators need to review?

State agencies and local Program operators are required to conduct monitoring of all Child Nutrition Programs, in line with Program statute and regulations, unless an alternative approach has been approved through an individual State agency or local Program operator waiver. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued several nationwide waivers to suspend on-site monitoring procedures and allow State agencies and Program operators to monitor Child Nutrition Program operations off-site in order to support social distancing and health recommendations. All other statutory and regulatory oversight requirements remain in effect.

2. What if the State agency or local Program operator encounters challenges meeting oversight and monitoring requirements during COVID-19?

State agencies or local Program operators can request a waiver of statute or Program regulations in order to ensure compliance with oversight responsibilities.

3. Can State agencies request statewide waivers on behalf of local program operators?

Yes. FNS encourages State agencies to proactively consider if local Program operators will have challenges efficiently meeting monitoring requirements during the current public health emergency.

18. Are any other CACFP monitoring requirements waived outside of what is provided in COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #40: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements For State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and COVID-19: Child Nutrition response #39: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Food Care Program?

No. When conducting announced or unannounced off-site reviews, State agencies and sponsoring organizations are required to review all elements of Program operations that they would normally review on-site.