Finding Text
2025-002 - Child Nutrition Cluster - Eligibility Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Program Title: Child Nutrition Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 10.555 Pass-Through Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Pass-Through Entity Identifying Number: Multiple Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Exceptions: 6 exceptions out of 59 tested (10.17%) Type Of Finding: Compliance Finding and Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Other Matter Condition: The District has not properly implemented controls to oversee the direct certification process and monitor and update the free and reduced list for known changes. Criteria: Direct Certification (DC) promotes participation in school meal programs by simplifying access to free and reduced price meals. Children are automatically (categorically) eligible for free or reduced price school meals based on their eligibility as a foster child or based on their households participation in these programs: FoodShare (SNAP), W- 2 cash benefits (TANF), Medicaid, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). When a student is directly certified for free meals, the student's family does not need to complete the application for free or reduced-price meals. DC decreases administrative burden for school staff and families while improving the integrity of the certification process, as it establishes eligibility without the completion of an application. Cause: The food service software, School Cafe, matches an attribute of the student from the direct certification report to School Cafe during the import process, however, not all attributes are matched upon import causing students to be misclassified. Effect: The eligibility test requirements applicable to the grant were not met. Recommendation: We recommend management reconcile each direct certification import and work with School Cafe to ensure all student attributes are matched before import. Management’s Response: The District is aware of the requirements and will attempt to compile the information necessary in the future. Responsible Official: Heidi Engel, Enrollment & Transportation Coordinator, and Jessica Christensen, District Food Service Manager Anticipated Completion Date: The District intends to work towards resolving this finding for the following year.