Policy Memo 151

DOH-CACFP: Number 151 (01/11)

TO: All CACFP Sponsoring Organizations

FROM: Lynne Oudekerk, State Director, Child and Adult Care Food Program

SUBJECT: Elimination of Block Claim Edit Checks in CACFP

I. Purpose and Scope

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 (the Act), Public Law 111-296, was signed into law by President Obama on December 13, 2010. The Act eliminates the requirement for Sponsoring Organizations to conduct edit checks designed to detect block claims.

II. Background Information

The requirement to detect block claims was initially enacted in the 2004 Second Interim Rule: Improving Management and Program Integrity (2004 Interim Rule). The elimination of block claims is the only change to this rule.

III. Summary of Changes

  1. CACFP Sponsoring Organizations of day care homes and more than one center are no longer required to conduct block claim reviews:
    1. The rule is retroactively effective to October 1, 2010. Sponsoring Organizations may continue to conduct block claim reviews if they choose to do so, but they are not required by regulation [7 CFR 226.10(c)(3)].
    2. The follow-up monitoring review requirement associated with the detection of block claims is also eliminated [7 CFR 226.10(c)(3)].
  2. The 2004 Interim Rule [7 CFR 226.10(c)(2)] included other claim edit checks that remain in effect:
    1. Verification that day care home providers and sponsored centers are claiming only the approved meal types in accordance with their application to participate.
    2. Comparison of the number of children enrolled in care to the number of days of service and total meal counts for each claiming month.

If you have any questions about this policy change or the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010, please contact a CACFP nutritionist at 1-800-942-3858.