Cooperation with USDA Evaluations and Research
Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin |
|
| Purpose: Policy, Beneficial Information | |
| To: Child Nutrition Program Sponsors | Number: USDA-CNP-01-2012 |
| Attention: Food Service/Program Directors | Date: October 2012 |
| Subject: Cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture Officials and Contractors Conducting Evaluations and Research | |
| Reference: U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy Memorandum SP 22-2011, CACFP 13-2011, SFSP 08-2011; the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Section 28; Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations | |
This Management Bulletin (MB) clarifies the cooperation requirements between agencies participating in Child Nutrition Programs (the National School Lunch Program [NSLP], Child and Adult Care Food Program [CACFP], and Summer Food Service Program [SFSP]) with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials and contractors conducting evaluations and research.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, amended Section 28 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to make clear that state agencies, local educational agencies, schools, institutions, facilities, and contractors participating in the Child Nutrition Programs authorized under the NSLA and Child Nutrition Act of 1966 are required to cooperate with USDA officials and contractors conducting evaluations and research.
The California Department of Education (CDE) Legal Office has confirmed that this cooperation does not violate California State confidentiality laws. Regulations for each program, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 210.23(d), 225.18(j), and 226.25(h), states:
Program evaluations. States, State agencies, local educational agencies, school food authorities, schools and contractors must cooperate in studies and evaluations conducted by or on behalf of the Department, related to programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
Please note that the research and all participants (e.g., agencies, employees, households) will remain confidential. Studies will mention only how many sponsors were contacted within California and the results.
Resources
The USDA policy memo related to this MB can be reviewed on the USDA School Meals Policy Web page at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/policy.
Agencies can access 7 CFR on the U.S. Government Publishing Office Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Web page at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?gp=&SID=4ca94ecbff61a0868cacf0a2f0ad157d&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7CIIsubchapA.tpl.
Contact Information
If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact the appropriate Nutrition Services Division specialist.
School Nutrition Programs
The SNP specialist list is available in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) Download Forms section, Form ID Caseload. You can also contact an SNP Office Technician (OT) by phone at 916-322-3005 or 916-322-1450.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
The CACFP specialist list is available in the CNIPS Download Forms section, Form ID CACFP 01. You can also contact a CACFP OT by phone at 916-327-2991 or 916-324-6153. [Note: The preceding information is no longer valid. The CACFP Program moved to the California Department of Social Services. Please visit the CDE's Child Care and Adult Care Food Program Contact List web page for more information at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cc/cacfpcontact.asp.]
Summer Food Service Program
The Summer Meals Unit (SMU) specialist list is available in the CNIPS Download Forms section, Form ID SMU 01. You can also contact the SMU OT by phone at 916-322-8323.
