83 FR 36516 - Request for Information: State Administrative Expense Allocation Formula for Child Nutrition Programs
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)
Food and Nutrition Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)
| Page Range | 36516-36518 | |
| FR Document | 2018-16196 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 36516-36518] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-16196] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Request for Information: State Administrative Expense Allocation Formula for Child Nutrition Programs AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This is a request for information from State agencies administering Child Nutrition programs and State distributing agencies to learn about the successes, challenges, and needs for the State Administrative Expense (hereafter referred to as ``SAE'') allocation formula. It is not a request for proposal and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain with the Government and will not be returned. All responses will become part of the public record and will not be held confidential. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking information on the SAE allocation formula for the Department's oversight and management of Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), specifically the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Special Milk Program (SMP) and the Food Distribution Program for schools (FDP). To better understand the availability and use of SAE funds, FNS is requesting information from CNP State administering agencies, State distributing agencies, and CNP affiliate associations about SAE allocation, reallocation, fund uses, and fund restrictions at the State level. The objectives of this request for information are to: [[Page 36517]] 1. Identify ways that the formula meets or fails to meet State spending needs. 2. Identify if additional flexibilities in SAE funding levels and rules could improve program administration. FNS will use the comments in response to this Request for Information to inform a larger study on the SAE formula entitled, Assessing the Child Nutrition State Administrative Expense (SAE) Allocation Formula. This study will assess the effectiveness of the current formula used for SAE allocations, identify and examine factors that influence State spending, and develop and test a range of possible alternatives to improve the SAE allocation formula. DATES: (if applicable): To be assured of consideration, written comments must be submitted or postmarked on or before September 28, 2018. ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites the submission of the requested information through one of the following methods:Preferred method: Submit information through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submissions. Mail: Submissions should be addressed to Jinee Burdg, Social Science Policy Analyst, Office of Policy Support, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be emailed to [email protected]. All information properly and timely submitted, using one of the three methods described above, in response to this request for information will be included in the record and will be made available to the public on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the substance of the information provided and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting it will be subject to public disclosure. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the FNS office located at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 1014, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Jinee Burdg at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CNPs are operated by a wide variety of local public and private providers that enter into agreements with State agencies, which are responsible for oversight and administration, including monitoring program operations and distributing federal cash reimbursements and USDA Foods. The number of agreements the State has with local CNP entities contributes significantly to the level of effort needed in State administration. Local organizations that have agreements with the State to operate NSLP, SBP, and SMP are referred to as school food authorities (SFAs). SFAs are public and private nonprofit local educational agencies (including charter schools) that operate the programs in schools under their jurisdiction, as well as residential child care institutions. The number of SFAs across States varies widely, often depending on the educational structure of local educational agencies in the State (i.e., county-based programs vs. single-site SFAs). Under the FDP for schools, USDA accepts food orders from States and then purchases food for States to provide to SFAs for use in their meal service (USDA Foods). States are responsible for the ordering, storage and distribution of the USDA Foods to the local ``recipient agencies'' (i.e., SFAs). In CACFP, States enter into agreements with ``institutions,'' which include independent (i.e., single-site) child care centers, adult care centers, and sponsoring organizations of family day care homes and/or centers. Similar to the NSLP, SBP, and SMP, the number of CACFP institutions across States varies widely, based on a variety of factors such as the popularity of family day care homes vs. centers and the number of afterschool care programs. The adult care component of CACFP is very small, with the majority of meals served in a small number of States. The State agencies that administer these CNPs include Education, Health, Human/Social Services, and Agriculture departments. In total, there are 85 State agencies in 54 States and territories that administer the programs and receive SAE from FNS. In 31 States, there is one agency (either Education or Agriculture) administering School Programs, FDP, and CACFP; 16 States have two agencies; and the remaining 7 States have three agencies. In fiscal year 2017, State agencies received over $282 million in federal grants to administer certain CNPs. The amount of funding allocated to each State agency is based on the SAE allocation formula, which was last revised in the 1990s. FNS is interested in learning in what ways the formula meets or fails to meet State spending needs; some State Agencies return excess funds year after year whereas other States request additional funds year after year. The Assessing the Child Nutrition State Administrative Expense (SAE) Allocation Formula study will evaluate the effectiveness of the current formula used for SAE allocations, examine factors that influence State spending, and develop and test a range of possible alternatives for the SAE allocation formula and for reallocation. The current SAE allocation formula consists of nondiscretionary funds (i.e., those funds required to be allocated as prescribed by statute) and discretionary funds (i.e., funds remaining after the nondiscretionary allocations are made). The first step in the allocation process is to determine the total amount of SAE funds available for allocation to State agencies. This amount, prescribed in Section 7(a)(1) of the Child Nutrition Act, is an amount equal to not less than 1\1/2\ percent of program expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year for the NSLP, SBP, SMP, and CACFP. Once the amount of funds available is determined, the nondiscretionary funds are allocated among state agencies based on a formula using the percentage of the second preceding fiscal year's program expenditures, in accordance with 7 CFR 235.4(a). Discretionary funds are partially distributed in equal shares to states that administer specific programs and partially prorated based on number of program participants per state under 7 CFR 235.4(b). Residual funds are prorated among state agencies administering CACFP and FDP. In addition, FNS uses funds returned to it to provide funds to SAs through reallocations (7 CFR 235.5(d)) and to provide for start-up costs to SAs assuming administration of program currently administered by FNS. FNS requests that CNP State administering agencies, State distributing agencies, CNP affiliate associations, and other interested parties respond in detail to any or all of the items below. Please provide any material that addresses the information requested or any other information that may be pertinent. FNS will consider comments that may require regulatory or statutory changes. Additional references or links to materials are welcome. 1. What challenges, if any, does your State have with SAE? Please discuss processes, timing, Federally-imposed requirements/restrictions, State-imposed requirements/restrictions, the Maintenance of Effort requirement or other requirements, issues around [[Page 36518]] reallocation, changes in the indirect cost rate, and other challenges/ barriers. If your State has successfully overcome these challenges, can you please share any best practices that may be helpful for other States? 2. What aspects of SAE work well for your State? Please identify the aspect that works well and why it works well for your particular State. 3. Does the current SAE funding methodology and regulations provide you with levels of funding and flexibility commensurate with your program administration needs (including NSLP/SBP, CACFP, and FDP)? 4. Please identify whether your State transfers funds among State agencies, receives reallocations, or neither. Please discuss why your funding levels are or are not appropriate. 5. What funding level (e.g., percentage increase or decrease) or basis for funding level would be appropriate? 6. Please discuss how the availability of other program-specific funds such as the Summer Food Service Program State Administrative Fund and CACFP Audit Funds affect your State's ability to support the overall administration of CNPs. 7. Please provide any other comments applicable to the SAE requirements and processes.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See 42 U.S.C. 1776. https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/pdf/USCODE-2010-title42-chap13A-sec1776.pdf Dated: July 23, 2018. Brandon Lipps, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2018-16196 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
![36516 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Notices
staff who handle fulfillment of orders, transfer the aggregated file; 6 EBT provider data managers will participate
IT personnel or third-party web service processor managers; 3 third-party in three meetings to discuss the format
providers; (2) EBT processor staff; and processor personnel; 16 State agency and transfer of each of two types of files
(3) third-party processor staff. The EBT coordinators; 8 State Agency SNAP (detailed transaction file and aggregated
fourth state SNAP agency staff, program or data staff. file). These respondents will transmit
including State Agency EBT Estimated Number of Responses per detailed and aggregated data files nine
coordinators. Staff from two of these Respondent: The total estimated number times. State agency SNAP program or
respondent groups (retailers or their of responses is 2.232 responses per data staff will each participate in
third-party web service providers and respondent. Retailer personnel
discussion and initial programming of
state SNAP agencies) will also provide (personnel who handle the fulfillment,
the SNAP case record file data transfer
data files for the quantitative analysis. shipping, and delivery of EBT customer
Estimated Number of Respondents: orders, customer service managers, IT once and provide eight update files.
The total estimated number of personnel or third-party web service Estimated Total Annual Responses:
respondents is 177. This includes: 24 providers, project managers, and 395.
retailer staff who handle the fulfillment, personnel who completed the pilot Estimated Time per Response: 1.6
shipping, and delivery of EBT customer application) will respond to one in- hours is the average estimated time per
orders; 24 retailer customer service person interview or one telephone participant. However, response times
managers; 16 retailer IT personnel or interview. Managers for two EBT varies from 1 hour to 21 hours per
third-party web service providers; 32 processors will respond to one in-
response and depending on respondent
retailer project managers; 16 retailer person interview and two telephone
group, as shown in the table below.
personnel who completed the pilot interviews for a total of three responses
application; 8 retailer/web provider data each. Third-party processor managers Estimated Total Annual Burden on
managers; 8 retailer/web provider staff will respond to one in-person interview Respondents: 37,800 minutes (630
who will prepare and transfer the and two telephone interviews. State hours). See the table below for estimated
detailed transaction file; 8 retailer/web EBT coordinators will respond to one total annual burden for each type of
provider staff who will prepare and in-person interview. Retailer or web respondent.
Estimated
Estimated Responses Total annual average num- Estimated total
Respondent number re- annually per responses ber of hours hours
spondent respondent per response
Retailer personnel who handle the fulfillment, shipping, and delivery of EBT
customer orders ................................................................................................. 24 1.00 24.00 1.00000 24.000
Retailer customer service managers .................................................................... 24 1.00 24.00 1.00000 24.000
Retailer IT personnel or third-party web service provider personnel ................... 16 1.00 16.00 1.00000 16.000
Retailer project managers ..................................................................................... 32 1.00 32.00 1.50000 48.000
Retailer personnel who completed the pilot application ....................................... 16 1.00 16.00 1.00000 16.000
Retailer/web provider data managers who will participate in file transfer discus-
sion .................................................................................................................... 8 3.00 24.00 2.00000 48.000
Retailer/web provider staff who will prepare and transfer the detailed trans-
action file ........................................................................................................... 8 9.00 72.00 1.00000 72.000
Retailer/web provider staff who will prepare and transfer the aggregated file ..... 8 9.00 72.00 1.00000 72.000
Third-Party processor personnel ........................................................................... 3 3.00 9.00 2.00000 18.000
EBT processor managers ..................................................................................... 6 3.00 18.00 2.00000 36.000
State agency EBT coordinators ............................................................................ 16 1.00 16.00 1.00000 16.000
State agency SNAP program/data staff who will participate in file transfer dis-
cussion and initial programming ........................................................................ 8 1.00 8.00 21.00000 168.000
State agency SNAP program/data staff ................................................................ 8 8.00 64.00 1.00000 64.000
Total Reporting Burden .................................................................................. 177 ........................ 395 ........................ 622
Dated: July 19, 2018. SUMMARY: This is a request for allocation formula for the Department’s
Brandon Lipps, information from State agencies oversight and management of Child
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. administering Child Nutrition programs Nutrition Programs (CNP), specifically
[FR Doc. 2018–16220 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am] and State distributing agencies to learn the National School Lunch Program
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
about the successes, challenges, and (NSLP), School Breakfast Program
needs for the State Administrative (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food
Expense (hereafter referred to as ‘‘SAE’’) Program (CACFP), Special Milk Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE allocation formula. It is not a request for (SMP) and the Food Distribution
proposal and does not commit the Program for schools (FDP). To better
Food and Nutrition Service Government to issue a solicitation, make understand the availability and use of
an award, or pay any costs associated SAE funds, FNS is requesting
Request for Information: State with responding to this announcement. information from CNP State
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Administrative Expense Allocation All submitted information shall remain administering agencies, State
Formula for Child Nutrition Programs with the Government and will not be distributing agencies, and CNP affiliate
returned. All responses will become associations about SAE allocation,
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service part of the public record and will not be reallocation, fund uses, and fund
(FNS), USDA. held confidential. restrictions at the State level.
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) The objectives of this request for
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
is seeking information on the SAE information are to:
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![36518 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Notices
reallocation, changes in the indirect cost DATES: The meeting will be held on Agenda
rate, and other challenges/barriers. If Thursday August 9, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. Welcome and Roll Call
your State has successfully overcome EDT. Discussion: Education Funding in Ohio
these challenges, can you please share Public Call Information: Dial: 877– Public Comment
any best practices that may be helpful 604–9673, Conference ID: 1551373. Adjournment
for other States? Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant
2. What aspects of SAE work well for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this
your State? Please identify the aspect Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at meeting is given less than 15 calendar
that works well and why it works well mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– days prior to the meeting because of the
for your particular State. 8311. exceptional circumstance of this
3. Does the current SAE funding Committee preparing for a forthcoming
methodology and regulations provide SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members
of the public can listen to the hearing, September 2018.
you with levels of funding and
flexibility commensurate with your discussion. This meeting is available to Dated: July 25, 2018.
program administration needs the public through the above listed toll David Mussatt,
(including NSLP/SBP, CACFP, and free number. An open comment period Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
FDP)? will be provided to allow members of [FR Doc. 2018–16181 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am]
4. Please identify whether your State the public to make a statement as time BILLING CODE P
transfers funds among State agencies, allows. The conference call operator
receives reallocations, or neither. Please will ask callers to identify themselves,
discuss why your funding levels are or the organization they are affiliated with COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
are not appropriate. (if any), and an email address prior to
5. What funding level (e.g., percentage placing callers into the conference Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
increase or decrease) or basis for room. Callers can expect to incur regular of the Rhode Island Advisory
funding level would be appropriate? charges for calls they initiate over Committee
6. Please discuss how the availability wireless lines, according to their
AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights.
of other program-specific funds such as wireless plan. The Commission will not
refund any incurred charges. Callers ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
the Summer Food Service Program State
Administrative Fund and CACFP Audit will incur no charge for calls they SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
Funds affect your State’s ability to initiate over land-line connections to pursuant to the provisions of the rules
support the overall administration of the toll-free telephone number. Persons and regulations of the U.S. Commission
CNPs. with hearing impairments may also on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
7. Please provide any other comments follow the proceedings by first calling Federal Advisory Committee Act
applicable to the SAE requirements and the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– (FACA), that a roundtable meeting of
processes.1 8339 and providing the Service with the the Rhode Island Advisory Committee
conference call number and conference to the Commission will convene at
Dated: July 23, 2018. ID number. 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Tueday, August 7,
Brandon Lipps,
Members of the public are also 2018, in Room 222 at the Rhode Island
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. entitled to submit written comments; State House, 82 Smith Street,
[FR Doc. 2018–16196 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am] the comments must be received in the Providence, RI 02903. The purpose of
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P regional office within 30 days following the roundtable will be to hear from
the meeting. Written comments may be experts about varied civil rights topics.
mailed to the Regional Programs Unit DATES: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (EDT).
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Time: 10:00 a.m.—Roundtable
230 S Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL Meeting and Public Session.
Notice of Public Meeting of the Ohio 60604. They may also be faxed to the ADDRESSES: Room 222 at the Rhode
Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission at (312) 353–8324, or Island State House, 82 Smith Street,
Commission on Civil Rights emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@ Providence, RI 02903.
usccr.gov. Persons who desire FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil additional information may contact the
Rights. Barbara Delaviez at ero@usccr.gov, or
Regional Programs Unit Office at (312) 202–376–7533.
ACTION: Announcement of meeting. 353–8311.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Records generated from this meeting purpose of the roundtable meeting is to
pursuant to the provisions of the rules may be inspected and reproduced at the examine topical civil rights issues in
and regulations of the U.S. Commission Regional Programs Unit Office, as they Rhode Island. The Committee will hear
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the become available, both before and after from elected officials, advocates and
Federal Advisory Committee Act that the meeting. Records of the meeting will experts. The public is invited to the
the Ohio Advisory Committee be available via www.facadatabase.gov meeting and encouraged to address the
(Committee) will hold a meeting via under the Commission on Civil Rights, committee following the presentations.
teleconference on Thursday August 9, Ohio Advisory Committee link (http:// If other persons who plan to attend
2018, from 12–1 p.m. EDT for the www.facadatabase.gov/committee/ the meeting require other
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
purpose of continuing planning for their meetings.aspx?cid=268). Persons accommodations, please contact Evelyn
upcoming hearing on education funding interested in the work of this Committee Bohor at ebohor@usccr.gov at the
in the State. are directed to the Commission’s Eastern Regional Office at least ten (10)
website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may working days before the scheduled date
1 See 42 U.S.C. 1776. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ contact the Regional Programs Unit of the meeting.
pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/pdf/USCODE-2010- Office at the above email or street Time will be set aside at the end of
title42-chap13A-sec1776.pdf address. the briefing so that members of the
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Document Created: 2018-07-28 01:43:46
Document Modified: 2018-07-28 01:43:46
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for information. | |
| Dates | (if applicable): To be assured of consideration, written comments must be submitted or postmarked on or before September 28, 2018. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Jinee Burdg at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 36516 |
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