CACFP Waivers

This page lists the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) waivers that have been applied to and made available to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Waivers are issued by the USDA to allow program operators and/or state agencies to have certain flexibilities that are not part of the regular CACFP operation. These waivers may be issued during natural, man-made, or public health emergencies, or when other needs are identified that will need to be temporarily remedied. Waivers may also be used as part of a USDA pilot program that might lead to future changes in regulation.

Existing Waivers

2023-24 Onsite Monitoring Waiver

The CDSS has received approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to waive aspects, as specified below, of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) onsite monitoring review requirement for DCH SOs.

Specifically, the approved Onsite Monitoring Requirements Waiver (Waiver) waives parts of Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR), Section 226.16(d)(4)(iii), allowing CDSS to approve the following flexibilities for DCH SOs in good standing:

  • Conduct one of the three required monitoring reviews for each DCH provider offsite (virtually).
  •  
  • Conduct a second of the three required monitoring reviews for each DCH provider offsite (virtually) for DCH providers that meet the following distance or time criteria:
  •  
    • Located at least 50 miles, or more, one way from the SO’s designated headquarters office, or
    •  
    • Located an average of 60 minutes of travel time, or more, one way from the SO’s designated headquarters office.

    The Waiver is in effect through September 30, 2024.

    The USDA FNS may only approve waivers to program regulations for the period of one federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30). Each year hereafter, CDSS will assess the need to request a waiver of the onsite monitoring review requirements. Such an assessment includes, but is not limited to, stakeholder feedback, waiver impact and use in previous years, potential impact to program integrity, and provider and State agency business needs.

    For more information, please see Onsite Monitoring Requirements Waiver for Program Year 2023-2024.

    Pending Waiver Applications

    For information about the waiver requests made from the California Department of Social Services to the USDA and for the waiver request protocol, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Waiver Requests page.


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    Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

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Contact Us

CDSS Child and Adult Care Food Program
744 P Street, MS 9-13-290
Sacramento, CA 95814
833-559-2418
CACFPInfo@dss.ca.gov

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