(X) Policy Memo

April 1, 2009

TO: Family Day Care Home Sponsors

RE: Meal Disallowance Policy

Effective immediately, family day care home providers claiming Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursement must comply with all program requirements, including meal pattern requirements.

The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs (ODE CNP) received guidance from USDA because it came to their attention that some sponsoring organizations established "grace periods" for new day care homes that are not meeting meal pattern or other requirements in the early months of participation.

CACFP regulations do not provide for claiming grace periods to new homes that fail to serve reimbursable meals.

Although errors, such as serving meals with missing components, may not rise to the level of serious deficiency for new homes, the ineligible meals must always be disallowed.

ODE CNP would like to emphasize the importance of training, early monitoring, and technical assistance to ensure that new providers are able to serve reimbursable meals that meet meal pattern requirements.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Grosso, Child Nutrition Specialist, at (503) 947-5897.

Sincerely,

Lynne Reinoso
Manager, Community Nutrition
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of the Superintendent