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Additional Administrative Reviews Guidance

EO Guidance Document #
FNS-GD-2014-0009
FNS Document #
SP24-2014
Resource type
Policy Memos
Guidance Documents
Resource Materials
PDF Icon Policy Memo (126.23 KB)
DATE:March 6, 2014
POLICY MEMO:SP24 -2014
SUBJECT:Additional Administrative Reviews Guidance
TO:Regional Directors
Special Nutrition Programs
All Regions
State Directors
Child Nutrition Programs
All States

This memorandum addresses the requirement for state agencies to conduct Additional Administrative Reviews (AAR) of high-risk local educational agencies in the School Meal Programs. As you are aware, these reviews have been required of state agencies since the provision was added to section 22 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) in 2004.

Due to recent changes mandated by Section 207 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (PL 111-296), state agencies are now required to increase the number of administrative reviews on an annual basis to ensure all SFAs are reviewed within the three year review cycle. This increased frequency of reviews, coupled with the new Administrative Review procedures, satisfy the objective of Section 22 of the NSLA to reduce administrative and payment errors, thereby eliminating the need for state agencies to continue conducting AARs of selected local educational agencies, as prescribed in SP 09-2014 “Additional Administrative Reviews (AAR) and state Retention of Improperly Paid Funds in School Year (SY) 2013-2014”, dated Nov. 13, 2013. Therefore, effective this school year, state agencies are no longer required to conduct AARs.

Questions regarding this memo should be directed to the regional offices. RO questions should be directed to the Program Monitoring and Operational Support Division.

Cynthia Long
Deputy Administrator
Child Nutrition Programs

Page updated: January 11, 2024

The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.