DECAL Program Guidance on Human Pandemic Response (COVID-19)

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s (DECAL) top priority is always the health and safety of all children, their families, and the child care workforce. As the Nutrition Services Division continues to respond to COVID-19 Coronavirus in Georgia, we will post relevant guidance and information here. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through the many questions and concerns related to this unprecedented public health emergency. We strongly encourage all Program participants to periodically check this page as this emergency is constantly evolving.

COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS

• DECAL Nutrition FAQs
  • FAQs: Serving meals to children and adults during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency
• Nationwide Waivers – Policy Guidance
  • Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks, April 1, 2020
  • Responses 1-3: Nationwide Waivers Due to COVID-19, March 23, 2020 (CACFP)
  • Response 4: Nationwide Waiver on Meal Pattern Flexibility Due to COVID-19, March 25, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Response 5: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children, March 25, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Response 6: Nationwide Waiver of Community Eligibility Provision Deadlines in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, March 25, 2020
  • Response 7: Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, March 27, 2020 (CACFP)
  • Response 8: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, March 27, 2020 (CACFP)
  • Response 9: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs, March 27, 2020
  • Response 10: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for Sponsoring Organizations in the Summer Food Service Program, March 27, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 11: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for the State Agencies in the Summer Food Service Program, March 27, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 12: Nationwide Waiver of 60 Day Reporting Requirements for January and February 2020, April 1, 2020
  • Response 13: Extension of the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs, April 21, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Responses 14 -17: Nationwide Waivers for the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, April 21, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 14: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the Summer Food Service Program, April 21, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 15: Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program, April 21, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 16: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program, April 21, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 17: Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restriction in the Summer Food Service Program, April 21, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 18: Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, April 23, 2020
  • Response 19: Nationwide Waiver of Food Service Management Contract Duration in the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program, April 24, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 20: Nationwide Waiver of Annual Review Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, April 24, 2020 (CACFP)
  • Response 21: Nationwide Waiver to Extend Unanticipated School Closure Operations through June 30, 2020 (SFSP)
  • Response 22: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs, May 14, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Response 23: EXTENSION – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility in the NSLP, SBP, and CACFP, May 14, 2020 (CACFP)
  • Response 24: EXTENSION – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Program, May 14, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Response 25: EXTENSION – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick-up Meals for Children, May 14, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • Response 26: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs, Jun 8, 2020
  • Response 26: EXTENSION (3) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension 3 (June 8, 2020 & June 10, 2020)
  • Response 27: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, June 8, 2020
  • Response 28: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, June 8, 2020
  • Response 29: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs, June 8, 2020
  • Response 30: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for Sponsoring Organizations in the Summer Food Service Program, June 8, 2020
  • Response 31: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Summer Food Service Program, June 8, 2020
  • Response 32: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers through August 31, 2020 (June 10, 2020)
  • Response 33: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs, June 25, 2020
  • Response 34: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs, June 25, 2020
  • Response 35: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children, June 25, 2020
  • Response 36: EXTENSION (4) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs, June 25, 2020
  • Response 37: Nationwide Waiver to Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High Schools in the National School Lunch Program for School Year 2020-2021, June 25, 2020
  • Response 38: EXTENSION (5) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP, July 30, 2020
  • Response #39: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for CACFP Sponsors, August 4, 2020
  • Response #40: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies (CACFP), August 4, 2020
  • Response #41: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs, August 4, 2020
  • Response #42: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for SFSP Sponsoring Organizations, August 4, 2020
  • Response #43: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies (SFSP), August 4, 2020
  • Response #44: EXTENSION (3) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Summer Food Service Program, August 20, 2020
  • Response #45: EXTENSION (6) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program, August 20, 2020
  • Response #46: EXTENSION (1) - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers (SFSP), August 20, 2020
  • Response #47: EXTENSION (3) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children (SFSP), August 20, 2020
  • Response #48: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP SSO, August 31, 2020
  • Response #49: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the SFSP, August 31, 2020
  • Response #50: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Restrictions in the SFSP and the NSLP SSO, August 31, 2020
  • Response #51: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the SFSP, August 31, 2020
  • Response #52: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers, August 31, 2020
  • Response #53: EXTENSION (7) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP and NSLP SSO, August 31, 2020
  • Response #54: EXTENSION (4) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in SFSP and the NSLP SSO, August 31, 2020
  • Response #55: EXTENSION (4) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children, August 31, 2020
  • Response #56: Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and NSLP SSO through December 2020, August 31, 2020
  • Response #57: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-Approval Visits in the SFSP, September 11, 2020
  • Response #58: Nationwide Waiver Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component, September 18, 2020
  • Response #59: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and NSLP SSO through School Year 2020-2021, October 9, 2020
  • Response #60: EXTENSION (3) - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers, October 9, 2020
  • Response #61: EXTENSION (5) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the SFSP and NSLP SSO, October 9, 2020
  • Response #62: EXTENSION (5) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parent and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children, October 9, 2020
  • Response #63: EXTENSION (8) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP and the NSLP SSO, October 9, 2020
  • Response #64: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP SSO, October 9, 2020
  • Response #65: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to First Week Site Visits in the SFSP, October 9, 2020
  • Response #66: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the SFSP and the NSLP SSO, October 9, 2020
  • Response #67: EXTENSION (2) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the SFSP, October 9, 2020
  • Response #68: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component, October 9, 2020
  • Response #69: EXTENSION - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-Approval Visits in the SFSP, October 9, 2020
  • Response #70: EXTENSION (5) - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs, October 9, 2020
  • Response #71: EXTENSION (1) – Nationwide Waiver of Food Service Management Contract Duration in the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program, January 6, 2021
  • Response 73: Child Nutrition Waiver Update, March 9, 2021
  • Response 74: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibilities for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 9, March 9, 2021 (NSLP, SBP, SSO)
  • Response 75: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 6, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 76: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick-up Meals for Children for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 6, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 77: Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 4, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 78: Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 3, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 79: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 3, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 80: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 3, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 81: Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 3, March 9, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 83: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Sponsors that Successfully participated in the SFSP in FY 2019 to Operate as Experienced Sponsors in Fiscal Year 2021, April 1, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 84: Child Nutrition Nationwide Waiver Update for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021
  • Response 85: Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (SSO)
  • Response 86: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (SSO)
  • Response 87: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 88: Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 89: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick-up Meals for Children for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 90: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (NSLP, SBP, SSO)
  • Response 91: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibility in the CACFP for School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 92: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High Schools in School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (SSO)
  • Response 93: Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 94: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – Extension 3, April 20, 2021 (NSLP and SBP)
  • Response 95: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the CACFP – Extension 3, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 96: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the CACFP – Extension, April 20, 2021 (CACFP)
  • Response 97: Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Admin Reviews of SFA Operating Only the SSO in School Year 2021-2022 (NSLP), May 21, 2021
  • Response 99: Nationwide Waiver of the Annual Half Aggregate Monitoring Requirement in the SFSP, September 15, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 100: Waiver to Allow Fiscal Action Flexibility for Meal Pattern Violations Related to COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions Impacting School Meals in SY 2021-2022, September 15, 2021
  • Child Nutrition Waiver Update to Address Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures and Supply Chain Issues, September 22, 2021
  • Response 101: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-2022, September 22, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 102: Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022, September 22, 2021 (SFSP)
  • Response 103: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents Guardians to Pick Up Meals Served by Service Institutions through the SFSP during Unanticipated Schools Closures in SY 2021-2022, September 22, 2021
  • Response 104: Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022, September 22, 2021
  • Response 105: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022, September 22, 2021 (SFSP, SSO)
  • Response 106: Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements, September 22, 2021
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for CACFP & SFSP_Best Practices, Fact Sheets, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for CACFP Sponsors, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for State Agencies_CACFP, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for SFSP Sponsors, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for State Agencies_SFSP, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for NSLP School Food Authorities (SFAs), November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for State Agencies_NSLP, November 13, 2020
  • Off-site Monitoring Info for State Agencies_NSLP_Administrative Review Questions Addendum, November 13, 2020
• Nationwide Waivers – Questions & Answers
  • Questions and Answers Related to the Child Nutrition Program Monitoring and Reporting Nationwide Waivers, April 9, 2020
  • Questions and Answers Related to the Nationwide Waivers on Meal Times, Non-Congregate Feeding, and At-Risk Activity Requirement, April 11, 2020
  • Questions and Answers Related to the Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks, April 11, 2020
  • Questions and Answers Related to the Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks, April 21, 2020
  • Questions and Answers Related to the SFSP and SSO Nationwide Waivers, May 19, 2020
  • Questions and Answers on the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Unanticipated School Closure Operations through June 30, 2020, (May 29, 2020)
  • Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-2021 - #5, August 21, 2020
  • Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) Operations for SY 2020 – 2021 (School Programs only), August 21, 2020
  • Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and SSO Operations through December 2020, September 11, 2020
  • Questions and Answers (#2) Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and SSO through School Year 2020-2021, October 14, 2020
  • Questions and Answers (#3) Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and SSO through School Year 2020-2021, November 2, 2020
  • Questions and Answers (#4) Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and SSO through School Year 2020-2021, January 5, 2021
  • Questions and Answers Regarding Child Nutrition Program Oversight, Administration, and Reporting During COVID-19, April 19, 2021
  • Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Program Operators in School Year 2021-2022, June 11, 2021
  • Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Program Operations in School Year 2021-2022, Q&A #2, September 29, 2021 (NSLP, SBP, CACFP, SSO)
• Nationwide Waivers – Waiver Request Forms
  • ATLAS Waiver Request Guide
  • Important Reminders when Using USDA Approved Waivers
  • USDA Waiver Request Addendum
• Other COVID-19 Policy Guidance & Information
  • USDA Memorandum, Pandemic EBT – Summer 2022, May 9, 2022
  • Operating P-EBT During a Covered Summer Period: Questions and Answers, May 9, 2022
  • Amendment to Approved State Plan for Pandemic EBT: Summer 2022, May 9, 2022
  • Flexibility Guidance for COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions
  • DECAL – CACFP Guidance on the Milk Flexibility for COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions
  • USDA, Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Programs Emergency Procurement Due to Supply Chain Disruptions, October 15, 2021
  • USDA, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Flexibilities During COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions, October 28, 2021
  • CN Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs_ Q&As #3, August 11, 2021
  • Previously Issued Q&As Relating to Operation of the Child Nutrition Programs: Updated for School Year 2021-2022, July 14, 2021
  • USDA, Reimbursement for Meals and Snacks Served to Young Adults in the Child and Adult Care Food Program - Q&A, June 7, 2021
  • USDA, Q&A for Operating P-EBT During the Summer of 2021, April 26, 2021
  • USDA Memorandum, Pandemic EBT – Summer 2021, April 26, 2021
  • CACFP 08-2021, Reimbursement for Meals and Snacks Served to Young Adults in the Child and Adult Care Food Program: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies, April 9, 2021
  • DECAL Memo, CACFP Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19, March 2021 Update
  • DECAL Memo, Pandemic EBT for Child Care in the CACFP, March 2021 Update
  • SP 09-2021, CACFP 07-2021 Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs: State Agency Implementation Plan Template and Q&A Guidance, March 15, 2021
  • USDA, Q&A #2 Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs, March 15, 2021 (Attachment A)
  • USDA Policy Memorandum, SP 07-2021, Department of Education Guidance on Implementation of Child Nutrition Program Waivers, February 19, 2021
  • U.S. Department of Education, Fact Sheet, January 4, 2021
  • CACFP Emergency Operating Costs - Formula Calculations, February 11, 2021
  • Pandemic EBT State Plans for 2020-2021 Schools and Child Care, January 29, 2021
  • Pandemic EBT State Plans for 2020-2021 Attachment 1 - Q&A, January 29, 2021
  • Pandemic EBT State Plans for 2020-2021 Attachment 2 - Template, January 29, 2021
  • 06-2021, CACFP 0SP 06-2021, CACFP 05-2021, Child Nutrition Program Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies, January 26, 2021
  • USDA, Q&A for Program Reimbursement for Emergency Operational Costs for Child Nutrition Programs during the COVID-19 Pandemic, January 26, 2021
  • Reporting of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Data for Forms FNS-10, FNS-44, and FNS-418, October 20, 2020
  • Reporting of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Data for Forms FNS-10, FNS-44, and FNS-418 – April 30, 2020 (CACFP & SFSP)
  • DECAL Disaster Preparedness Information – August 15, 2019 (v3)
• Resources
  • School Food Authority’s Guide (School Year 2021-2022) - Summary of Flexibilities
  • School Food Authority’s Guide (School Year 2021-2022) – Table of Flexibilities
  • School Food Authority’s Guide (School Year 2021-2022) – Flexibilities in Practice
  • School Meals Supply Chain Issues During School Year 2021-2022
  • Emergency Feeding Vendor Resource List
  • Providing Multiple Meals at a Time for Children During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (SFSP)
  • Providing Multiple Meals at a Time for Children During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (CACFP)
  • Guidance for Serving School-Age Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • School-Age Children Certification Statements for the CACFP during COVID-19 (Independent Centers)
  • School-Age Children Certification Statements for the CACFP during COVID-19 (Sponsoring Organizations)
  • Serving Meals in CACFP During COVID-19
  • Transitional Menu Planning Tools
  • Transitioning Into Your Family’s New Normal
  • FY2021 CACFP Sponsor Monitoring Guidance During COVID-19
  • CACFP Sponsor’s Virtual Desk Review/Audits Record Request Checklist
  • FY2021 SFSP Sponsor Monitoring Guidance During COVID-19
  • SFSP Sponsor’s Virtual Desk Review/Audits Record Request Checklist
  • Digital Nutrition Resources for Kids
• Serving School-Age Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Updated Guidance for CACFP Operators Regarding School Year 2020-2021
  • Guidance for Serving School-Age Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • School-Age Children Certification Statements for the CACFP during COVID-19 (Independent Centers)
  • School-Age Children Certification Statements for the CACFP during COVID-19 (Sponsoring Organizations)