2/10 C.A.R.E. - Child and Adult Care Food Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 02/10/2025 03:35 PM PST

Child and Adult Care Food Program C.A.R.E.: Week of 2/10

Update: Changes to Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 CFR 200
Update: Substituting Vegetables for Grains in Tribal Communities
Update: Ramadan 2025 Waiver
Update: In-person Training Opportunity with the Institute of Child Nutrition
Update: Correction to At-Risk Review Form

Update: Changes to Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 CFR 200

In August, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a memo announcing revisions to 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for federal awards. The revisions were effective October 1, 2024. All sponsors of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs must follow the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG). These regulations are in addition to the Child Nutrition Program regulations and cover management of your federal award and procurement of goods and services.

The following revisions to Uniform Grant Guidance are most relevant to USDA Child Nutrition Programs:

Increase in the de minimis indirect cost rate from 10% to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs

Recipients and subrecipients, of federal awards, that do not have a current federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may elect to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). The recipient or subrecipient is authorized to determine the appropriate rate up to this limit. eCFR: 2 CFR 200.414 – Indirect costs.

Upcoming Training

ICN Training for CACFP sponsors

Register today!
Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 9 am – 4 pm

The Basics for Multi-Site Sponsors

Date:

May 13, 2025 | Virtual

Increase in the threshold for determining equipment from a per unit cost of $5,000 to $10,000

The updated regulations increased the threshold value for equipment from $5,000 to $10,000. This change affects Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who are required to seek prior approval for equipment purchases with a per unit value of $10,000 or more in accordance with 2 CFR 200.439. eCFR: 2 CFR 200.313 – Equipment & Procurement.

Increase in the upper limit for computers as supplies from $5,000 to $10,000 and increase in the threshold for reporting unused supplies from an aggregate value of greater than $5,000 to $10,000

The updated regulations increased the threshold from $5,000 to $10,000. The definition of unused supplies means supplies that are in new condition, not having been used or opened before. The aggregate value of supplies consists of all supply types, not just like item supplies. eCFR: 2 CFR 200.314 – Supplies.

Increase in the Single Audit Threshold from $750,000 to $1 million

Increased threshold for single audit or program-specific audit from $750,000 to $1,000,0000. Non-federal entities that expend $1,000,000 or more during the non-federal entities fiscal year in federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. For procurement transactions in which the contractor is made responsible for meeting program requirements, the auditee must ensure the requirements are met and review the contractor’s records. eCFR: 2 CFR 200.501 – Audit requirements.

Child Nutrition Services (CNS) is updating resources and systems to reflect the changes in the guidance.

Questions? Contact CNS Procurement.

The full text and final revisions to the UGG can be found at Federal Register :: Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance and frequently asked questions at uniformguidancefaqs.pdf.

Update: Substituting Vegetables for Grains in Tribal Communities

To support traditional foodways, USDA amended regulation to allow substitution of a vegetable for a grain component where American Indian or Alaska Native participants represent the largest demographic of participants. This amendment applies to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Eligible program operators are not required to submit a request for OSPI approval to use this menu planning option; however, program operators are required to maintain documentation of eligibility.

Depending on which Child Nutrition Program you operate, your entity type and the facilities served, acceptable documentation could include aggregate data or a certifying statement. Refer to these resources and OSPI training video to learn more about this meal pattern flexibility, acceptable documentation and view a tutorial on how to complete the documentation form.

Resources

Update: Ramadan 2025 Waiver

USDA approved OSPI’s statewide waiver request to allow local program operators to serve meals in a non-congregate setting to participants fasting during Ramadan in 2025. With waiver approval, program operators may:

Serve meals in a non-congregate setting (grab & go)
Adjust the time of meal service
Serve breakfast and lunch together
Use a serve-only meal service style for grades 9-12

The waiver is available for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). In CACFP, this waiver is available for emergency shelters, adult day care centers, outside-school-hours care centers (OSHCC), and the at-risk afterschool component. Sponsors must be in good standing with OSPI to be considered for approval of waiver use.

Request the Ramadan 2025 Waiver

Effective: February 28 – March 30, 2025

Questions? Contact your CACFP or School Meal Program Specialist.

Update: In-person Training Opportunity with the Institute of Child Nutrition

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is a federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs. ICN's mission is to provide information and services that promote the continuous improvement of child nutrition programs. To help celebrate National CACFP Week (March 16-22) this year, ICN is providing an in-person training opportunity for CACFP sponsors in Washington!

This training will include two focus areas:

Food Safety in the Child Care Setting

This training will focus on USDA's four key concepts of the Fight BAC program: clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Introduction to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings

This training will cover family style meal service, healthy habits, and implementing schedules and routines.

This class is appropriate for Program administrators, site staff, and in-home providers.

Register today!
Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 9 am – 4 pm

Update: Correction to At-Risk Review Form

CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program Reviews: Complete twice annually. The first review must occur within the first four weeks the program is in operation. Use this updated At-Risk Review form.

Important Dates to Remember

February 13	Traditional Indigenous Foods \| Indian Country 101 \| 2-3:30pm
February 24	S.S.T.A.R. Newsletter Released
February 27	CACFP Week Excellence Award Nominations Due
February 27	Traditional Indigenous Foods \| Northwest Native Foods \| 2-3:30pm
March 20	Traditional Indigenous Foods \| Food Sovereignty & Education Initiatives in Tribal Communities \| 2-3:30pm
March 22	ICN Training \| 9:00am-4:00pm \| Register Here

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

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This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.