Child Nutrition Cluster:
National School Lunch Program (Assistance Listing # 10.555)
School Breakfast Program (Assistance Listing # 10.553)
Summer Food Service Program for Children (Assistance Listing # 10.559)
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Criteria
Children from households with incomes at or...
Child Nutrition Cluster:
National School Lunch Program (Assistance Listing # 10.555)
School Breakfast Program (Assistance Listing # 10.553)
Summer Food Service Program for Children (Assistance Listing # 10.559)
Compliance Requirement: Eligibility
Criteria
Children from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible to receive meals or milk free under the School Nutrition Program. Children from households with incomes above 130 percent but at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible to receive reduced price meals. Persons from households with incomes exceeding 185 percent of the poverty level pay the full price (7 CFR sections 245.2, 245.3, and 245.6; section 9(b)(1) of the NSLA (42 USC 1758 (b)(1)); sections 3(a)(6) and 4(e) of the CNA (42 USC 1772(a)(6) and 1773(e))). The School District must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
(b) Comply with the U.S. Constitution, Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal awards.
(c) Evaluate and monitor the non-Federal entity's compliance with statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of Federal awards.
(d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings
(e) Take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity designates as sensitive or the non Federal entity considers sensitive consistent with applicable Federal, State, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and responsibility over confidentiality.
Condition/Context
A sample of 40 students receiving benefits were selected to be tested under the Child Nutrition Cluster. Applications were viewed determining eligibility that are to be reviewed and signed by the Director of Food Services to ensure the eligibility status was deemed correct for each application. 24 applications were not documented as having been reviewed. Known and likely questioned costs were determined not to exceed $25,000. The sampling methodology used was not statistically valid.
Cause
Adequate oversight of the eligibility determination process was not in place in order to identify mistakes in determining eligibility.
Effect
Without demonstrable, documented controls supporting compliance with Child Nutrition compliance standards, compliance with the requirements may not be assured.
Recommendation
The School District should institute additional procedures to ensure that eligibility determinations are reviewed and accurate.
Corrective Action Plan
The School District is utilizing the service of the Capital Region BOCES Food Service Management Program. The service includes review and oversight of the eligibility applications to ensure compliance.
Responsible School District Official
Director of Food Services
Completion Date
June 30, 2024
Linda Steinberg, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations