Administrative Review
About the Review
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, requires the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to conduct an Administrative Review (AR) of School Nutrition Programs (SNP) at least once every three years. As a new federal requirement, the AR is designed to conduct specified parts of the review off-site and others on-site. TDA will evaluate compliance with the following program requirements in the Critical and General Areas of Review which include: Meal Access and Reimbursement, Meal Pattern & Nutritional Quality, Resource Management, General Program Compliance and the operation of any other applicable SNP federal programs.

CE Staff involved in the operation of SNP will be heavily involved the review process (off-site and on-site) to respond to questions and provide documentation regarding the operation of SNP. The AR begins approximately 12 weeks prior to TDA doing an on-site review of program operations with the off-site portion of the review. The review is risk based, gathering information and documentation samples during the off-site review and then conducting a more targeted review on-site. CE Staff will be asked to utilize the Texas Unified Nutrition Programs System (TX-UNPS) when providing written responses to questions and uploading requested documentation.


Webinar - The Reinvented Administrative Review Process


This webinar provides an overview of the new administrative review process. Information provided includes how the review has changed, what the review covers, general timelines, required documentation and specific processes for before, during and after the on-site review.
 Download the slide deck here. (Revised June 18, 2015)

When is My Review?
Using this tool to prepare for an Administrative Review is highly recommended. 

For the slides to the presentation given during the School Call on June 2, 2021, click here.

Important Note: Administrative, Procurement and Financial Review schedules are subject to change.

Avoiding the Pitfalls - SNP Common Findings

Minimize

  The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) provides the following information regarding the most common administrative review findings in the School Nutrition Programs to assist a contracting entity (CE) in identifying potential problems. Avoiding these pitfalls will help CEs stay in compliance with program requirements and receive full reimbursement for eligible expenses. Most of all, preventing these common findings will help you and TDA achieve the goal of making sure that healthy meals and snacks are provided for children. Click the button below to view the SNP AR Lessons Learned.
SNP Administrative Reviews Lessons Learned

Preventing Common Administrative Review Findings
  • Set up and use a financial management system.
  • Develop a system to keep all the required documents and forms organized and protected from weather incidents (examples include floods and fire) and theft. Schedule time to maintain the paperwork.

Technical Assistance
Please contact your local Education Service Center representative(s) for technical assistance. Click on this link for their contact information.

 


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TDA and USDA Guidance  Maximize 

Administrative Review Reports  Maximize 

Forms and Information  Maximize 

Attachment B  Maximize 

Administrative Review Tutorials  Maximize 

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
 

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
 

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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