Finding Text
Condition and Context: For FAL 10.557, the program guidelines require each agency to provide nutrition education to each participant and document nutritional risk of each participant. For FAL 93.575, the program guidelines require ITCN to create a sliding scale of copayments and establish a payment rate schedule for parents. Context Condition For FAL 10.557: 2 out of 40 participants tested Documentation was not available to evidence that a participant had received the required nutrition education. 1 out of 40 participants tested Documentation was not available to evidence that the participant had nutritional risk For FAL 93.575: 2 out of 40 participants tested Participants were charged a co-payment which was inconsistent with the sliding scale policy. Criteria: 7 CFR §246.11, Nutrition education, requires agencies to provide nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, as a benefit of the program at no cost to the participant. 7 CFR §246.7, Nutritional Risk, requires a competent professional authority to determine that an applicant is at nutritional risk. 45 CFR §98.45(b)(5), Equal access, requires the agency to create a sliding fee scale that is affordable and does not exceed 7 percent of income for all families. Cause and Effect: The cause is due to lack of resources and oversight at ITCN’s offices. The effect is potentially providing benefits to participants that are not eligible under the WIC and CCDF guidelines. Recommendation: We recommend that ITCN adhere to its policy of providing nutritional education to each participant. We also recommend that ITCN charges participants the correct amount according to the sliding scale of fees. Management’s Response: ITCN’s responsible officials’ views and planned corrective action are in its corrective action plan at the end of the report.