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Nutrition
About Nutrition Services
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FAQ for nutrition

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FamiliesCACFPSFSP
How do I find a summer food feeding site in my area?
To locate a site where your child(ren) can receive a healthy, nutritious meal while school is out, go to the home page on GA DECAL website. Select Find a Meal Site in the top right corner; this will direct you to the Nutrition Program Search webpage. Then, select program type Summer Food, search for Summer Food Meal Sites, enter your zip code, and then click Search.
How do I find a center or home in my area that is participating in CACFP?
To locate a site where eligible children(ren) and/or adults can receive a healthy, nutritious meal while in care, go to the home page on GA DECAL website. Select Find a Meal Site in the top right corner; this will direct you to the Nutrition Program Search webpage. Then, select program type Child Care or Adult Care, search for the applicable independent center or sponsoring organization, enter your zip code or county, and then click Search.
How do I apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?
An organization can apply two ways to become a CACFP participant: 1) Organizations can sign a direct agreement with GA DECAL to operate the CACFP. To be considered eligible, organizations must provide proof of a license to operate or exemption from licensure and attend a two-day training. Participants will be granted access to a web-based application after completing training. 2) Child or adult centers can participate under the sponsorship of an approved Administrative Sponsor. To obtain a list of approved sponsors, go to the home page on GA DECAL website. Select Find a Meal Site in top right corner; this will direct you to the Nutrition Program Search webpage. Then, select program type Child Care or Adult Care, search for the applicable independent center or sponsoring organization, enter your zip code or county, and then click Search. Please also visit our Child and Adult Care Food Program Fact Sheets (Child; Adult) on our Nutrition Services webpage and for more information, contact Leslie Truman at Leslie.Truman@decal.ga.gov or 404.657.1779.
How can I register for training if I am not a CACFP participant?
CACFP training is available for organizations that wish to apply and participate in CACFP. If you are not currently participating in the CACFP, contact the Administrative Assistant at 404-657-1779 to register for a training session.
Where can I find the projected reimbursement worksheets?
The Projected Reimbursement worksheets can be found under Nutrition CACFP Forms.
I am an in home family day care provider. How can I participate on the CACFP?
Day Care Home providers must apply to participate under an approved Day Care Home Sponsor. To obtain a list of approved sponsors, go to the home page on GA DECAL website. Select Find a Meal Site in top right corner; this will direct you to the Nutrition Program Search webpage. Then, select program type Child Care or Adult Care, search for the applicable independent center or sponsoring organization, enter your zip code or county, and then click Search.
How do I update my users for GA ATLAS?
Complete the applicable section on the CACFP Electronic/Enrollment Change form. To obatin the form, go to the CACFP forms page under CACFP Application Forms. The form should be submitted via email to NutritionVMFandEFF@decal.ga.gov
Is the Social Security # needed for TANF or Food Stamp Recipients on the IES form?
No, a Social Security number is not needed for any member of a household unit that received TANF or Food Stamp assistance. However, a valid program case number is needed on the statement. An EBT card number is not acceptable.
What is the definition of a household?
A household is all persons considered one economic unit. An economic unit is defined as a group of related or unrelated people who share housing and/or all significant income and expenses of its members. Generally, individuals residing in the same house are an economic unit. However, more than one economic unit may reside together in the same house. Separate economic units in the same house are characterized by prorating expenses and income not being shared between the economic units.
Is alternate form approval required every year for the same form?
No, if you received approval from DECAL Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Team to use one of your own forms in place of a DECAL form, you do not have to get approval every year to continue using the same approved form. However, if you change the approved form, you must resubmit the new form to your Nutrition Technical Assistance (TA) Coordinator for approval. Also, if DECAL changes or updates the original form, organizations must ensure that the approved alternate form is revised to include in all DECAL changes/updates. You should always keep your written approval letter (documentation) from DECAL stating that you have been approved to use alternate forms.
If you voluntarily “terminate,” can you still be reviewed for the past 3 years paperwork?
Yes, federal regulations state taht all records to support claims for reimbursement and the CACFP must be retained for three years plus the current fiscal year. Those records are subject to review even if an organization voluntarily terminates their CACFP agreement. The records may be requested by DECAL, representatives of the USDA and the U.S. Government Accountability Office for review or audit.
If I don’t submit a claim for reimbursement one month because my center does not qualify for participation, do I still have to complete all of the CACFP forms or maintain CACFP records for that month?
We recommend that you always keep records pertaining to your food program even when you don’t claim for the month. At the beginning of the month, it may appear that you will not qualify, but that could change. Remember, you can qualify at any point in the month and still qualify for the whole month. It could even be the last day of the month!
If I have an “At Risk After School Meals Program” can I claim meals or snacks during the summer months and during Spring break?
The CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program can operate during the “regular” operating year for the school district in which the at-risk program is located. This means at-risk programs cannot claim during the summer months unless your school district operates a “year-round” schedule. At-risk programs, however, may claim meals/snacks during school breaks that occur during the regular operating year for the school system, i.e., fall or spring break.
How can I get an ‘And Justice for All’ poster?
Program operators may visit the Nutrition webpage and select CACFP Participant Information, then Posters and Flyers. to download the “And Justice for All” poster. Posters must be printed on 11x17 size paper. The cost for printing posters is an approved program expense and should be allocated to the Publication, Printing and Reproduction budget line item in GA ATLAS.
If CACFP reimbursement does not cover the program’s food cost, does DECAL pay an additional amount?
No. Additional funding is not available if program costs exceed reimbursement. Keep in mind that the CACFP is intended to enhance your program operations by providing assistance with serving nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults.
If money is left over from the CACFP reimbursement, does the center have to return it to DECAL?
No, funds do not have to be returned to DECAL; however, the funds must be used to further enhance the non-profit food service operation. Remember that there are many allowable costs that you can spend the excess money on, such as new plates, pots and pans, new utensils etc.
How do I make updates to Happy Helpings application?
Please visit the Happy Helpings Application Update Procedures on the Nutrition website under SFSP Forms.
How can I get new sites up and running?
Sponsors that wish to add additional sites after their initial Happy Helpings application has been approved, must complete and upload the Happy Helpings Site Update Form, Att. Q, along with supporting documentation in the attachment list in GA ATLAS. Sponsors must then notify their assigned Business Operations Specialist via email of the submission of the add a site.
I’ve added new sites and/or added new staff how do I get my budget re-approved?
Once your organization has submitted a revision of your budget, it will be reported in Atlas. Please make sure to update your management plan with any staff changes and provide supporting documentation for any new or updated costs.
What do I do when site meal times change on certain days or when sites go on fieldtrips?
Please visit the Happy Helpings Application Update Procedures on the Nutrition website under SFSP Forms.
What do I do if I’m a Private Non-Profit organization with a site that averages a daily attendance over 300?
Private non-profit sponsoring organizations are capped at 100 daily meals per meal type (breakfast; lunch; snack). Sponsors that request a max meal count (MMC) over the threshold prior to initial application approval must submit justification to their Application Specialist. Sponsors that request a max meal count over the threshold after meal operations start must submit justification to their Business Operations Specialist and may be asked to submit 3 consecutive days of daily meal count (DMC) forms as support.
Where can I find the reimbursement rates for the SFSP program year?
Reimbursement rates for the Happy Helpings program are located on the Nutrition website under Happy Helpings Participants Information>Reimbursement Rates.
How do I apply to become a sponsor for the USDA SUN Program known as Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program?
DECAL receives and processes applications of non-profit organizations wishing to sponsor the SFSP using an online system. Organizations must demonstrate financial viability and be administratively capable to participate in the SFSP as sponsors. To demonstrate financial viability, private non-profit organizations must complete and submit the Potential Sponsor Viability Checklist prior to registering/attending training. To request a Viability Checklist, please visit the Happy Helpings Website at https://happyhelpingsga.com/sponsors/ and complete the online form. Organizations that complete training are provided access to enter their SFSP application and submit supporting documentation online. For more information, contact Leslie.Truman@decal.ga.gov or 404.657.1779.
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