Off-Site Monitoring in FY25
June 30, 2025
USDA has the authority to waive statutory or regulatory program requirements for Child Nutrition Programs. State Agencies can submit a 12(l) waiver application to USDA in order to allow for flexibilities, including off-site monitoring, in their state. In Fiscal Year 2025, at least nine States have applied and been approved for an off-site monitoring waiver.
Why It Matters
Off-Site monitoring waivers provide much needed flexibility to sponsoring organizations. Sponsors who have implemented an off-site monitoring waiver report that it saves money, allows more time for technical assistance and training, decreases disruption in monitoring, maintains program integrity and increases access to providers in remote, hard-to-reach and high-crime areas.
FY25 Off-Site Monitoring Waivers
- Alaska: allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site monitoring visit for homes that are more than an hour away from the sponsor's office, only accessible by air/marine vessel, or have facilities outside of the sponsor's typical coverage area.
- Colorado (Extension of FY24): allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site visit for homes over 50 miles away from the sponsor's office.
- Iowa (Extension of FY24): allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site visit for homes over 50 miles away from the sponsor’s office.
- Minnesota (Extension of FY24): allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every family child care home.
- Missouri: allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every family child care home.
- Oregon: allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site visit for homes over 100 miles or 2 hours away from the sponsor's office.
- Pennsylvania: allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site visit for homes over 100 miles away from the sponsor's office.
- Texas: allows sponsors of family child care homes, unaffiliated centers, and unaffiliated adult care centers to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every site and an additional off-site visit for sites over 100 miles or 2 hours away from the sponsor's office.
- Wyoming (extension of FY24): allows sponsors of family child care homes to conduct one off-site monitoring visit for every home and an additional off-site visit for homes over 50 miles away from the sponsor's office.
USDA Waiver Authority
Under Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA), the Secretary of Agriculture is given the authority to waive any requirements within the NSLA for a State or eligible service provider that requests a waiver if:
- the Secretary determines that the waiver of the requirement would facilitate the ability of the State or eligible service provider to carry out the purpose of the program;
- the State or eligible service provider has provided notice and information to the public regarding the proposed waiver; and
- the State or eligible service provider demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the waiver will not increase the overall cost of the program to the Federal Government, and, if the waiver does increase the overall cost to the Federal Government, the cost will be paid from non-Federal funds.
Request a Waiver
The State agency can request an off-site monitoring waiver (in addition to other no-cost flexibilities) in their state by submitting an application that:
- identifies the statutory or regulatory requirements that are requested to be waived;
- in the case of a State requesting a waiver, describes actions, if any, that the State has undertaken to remove State statutory or regulatory barriers;
- describes the goal of the waiver to improve services under the program and the expected outcomes if the waiver is granted; and
- includes a description of the impediments to the efficient operation and administration of the program
Find guidance and waiver request template here.