Child Nutrition Program State Waiver Request Template - Section 12(l) Waiver for Illinois Day Care Home Sponsoring Organizations

Oct 10, 2026

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Child Nutrition Programs are administered under statutory and regulatory requirements, with waivers granted as exceptions under Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. This template provides instructions for Illinois State Board of Education nutrition staff and eligible providers to submit well-reasoned waiver requests for CACFP, SFSP, NSLP, FFVP, SMP, and SBP. It specifies contact and eligibility details, a proposed challenge and expected outcomes, waiver scope for two monitoring reviews per provider, and alternative procedures using virtual reviews tied to crime-rate and crime-grade thresholds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Child Nutrition Program State Waiver Request Template

Background and authority for waivers under Section 12(l)

Submission timing and requirements for waiver requests

Waiver request sections

Illinois program contact and region

Eligible service providers and good-standing affirmation

Challenge, goal, and expected outcomes

Program requirements to be waived

Alternative procedures and anticipated impact

State-level steps addressing regulatory barriers

CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM STATE WAIVER REQUEST TEMPLATE Child Nutrition Programs are expected to be administered according to all statutory and regulatory requirements; waivers to the requirements are exceptions. However, Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(l), provides authority for USDA to waive requirements for State agencies or eligible service providers under certain circumstances. When requesting the waiver of statutory or regulatory requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs), including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), the Special Milk Program (SMP), and the School Breakfast Program (SBP), State agencies and eligible service providers should use this template. State agencies and eligible service providers should consult with their FNS Regional Offices when developing waiver requests to ensure a well-reasoned, thorough request is submitted. State agencies and eligible service providers are encouraged to submit complete waiver requests at least 60 calendar days prior to the anticipated implementation date. Requests submitted less than 60 calendar days prior to the anticipated implementation should be accompanied by an explanation of extenuating circumstances. For more information on requests for waiving Program requirements, refer to SP 15-2018, CACFP 12-2018, SFSP 05-2018, Child Nutrition Program Waiver Request Guidance and Protocol-Revised, May 24, 2018. 1. State agency submitting waiver request and responsible State agency staff contact information: Illinois State Board of Education, Nutrition Department Mark Haller, Director Nutrition [mhaller@isbe.net](mhaller@isbe.net) (217) 782-2491 2. Region: Midwest Region 3. Eligible service providers participating in waiver and affirmation that they are in good standing: Any Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved FDCH sponsor who meets all the following requirements: • In good standing; and • Approved by ISBE to operate a Child Nutrition Program 4. Description of the challenge the State agency is seeking to solve, the goal of the waiver to improve services under the Program, and the expected outcomes if the waiver is granted. [Section 12(l)(2)(A)(iii) and 12(l)(2)(A)(iv) of the NSLA]: Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Department is requesting a state – wide waiver that would allow Day Care Home Sponsoring Organizations the opportunity to conduct 2 of 3 in person meal service reviews virtually during the fiscal year. The contingency of this waiver will be based on Day Care Home sites located in unsafe and high crime areas of Illinois. Day Care Home Sponsors have shared an increase in concerns regarding the safety of Field Monitors when conducting in person meal service reviews in areas with higher crime rates than the national average. Illinois has continued to see a crime rate at 4.3 per 1,000 residents, as compared to 4.0 nationwide in areas of Illinois. Personal crime, vehicle theft and gun violence have increased in the past 2 years across Illinois and as a result Day Care Home Sponsors are struggling to hire and keep monitors willing to conduct reviews in homes located within areas with high crime rates. ISBE desires to provide administrative and operational flexibility to Day Care Home Sponsors, where possible, while maintaining program integrity in providing nutritious meals to Day Care Homes. The goal of this requested waiver is to allow Day Care Home Sponsors to conduct the 2nd and the 3rd in person meal service review virtually when a provider is in an area, defined by a zip code, address block, or distance from a reported crime with a crime rate 100% higher than the national average and has received an F rating with statistics established from Crime Grate as of October 1, 2023. Along with applying for this waiver,

FAQs

What authority allows USDA to waive Child Nutrition Program requirements?

Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act provides authority for USDA to waive certain requirements for State agencies or eligible service providers under specified circumstances.

When should waiver requests be submitted?

State agencies and eligible service providers are encouraged to submit complete requests at least 60 calendar days before the anticipated implementation date. Requests submitted less than 60 days prior must include an explanation of extenuating circumstances.

What waiver is Illinois requesting for Day Care Home sponsoring organizations?

Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Department requests a statewide waiver allowing Day Care Home Sponsoring Organizations to conduct 2 of 3 in-person meal service reviews virtually during the fiscal year, contingent on Day Care Home sites located in unsafe and high-crime areas meeting defined crime-rate and crime-grade guidelines.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet