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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Good Morning,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">The State Agency (SA) is required to annually disburse the procedures by which an institution can request a hearing to appeal the SA decision to recover
funds due to review findings or other issues of non-compliance. Please see below for appeal procedures; please keep the appeal procedures in your CACFP files.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1 style="margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">~The CACFP Team<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1>CACFP Procedures by Which to File an Appeal<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">
<b><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">
<b><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin-left:0in">In accordance with 7 CFR Part 226, the Federal Regulations governing the USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the following procedure is to be followed by an organization wishing to contest an adverse
action taken by the State CACFP agency. This procedure complies with regulations found in Federal Regulations at 7 CFR Part 226 and with the State of Maine Administrative Procedures Act, 5 M.S.R.A. §§ 8001-9064.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">A.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]><u>Actions That May Be Appealed:<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText">In accordance with 7 CFR Part 226, an organization, including a sponsoring organization acting on behalf of a facility under its jurisdiction, may appeal the following adverse actions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="A">
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Denial of an organization’s application to participate in the USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Denial of an application submitted by a sponsoring organization on behalf of a facility.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Termination of the participation of an organization facility.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Suspension of an organization’s CACFP agreement.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Denial of an organization’s application for ‘Start-Up Funds’ payment.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Denial of an organization’s application for ‘Expansion Funds’ payment.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Denial of all or part of a claim for reimbursement (except for late submissions under 7 CFR Part 226, Subpart D – Payment Provisions, § 226.10(e)).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
State agency decision not to forward a request for payment of a late claim to the USDA Regional Office.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Demand for the remittance of an overpayment (including audit recalls).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
Any other action affecting the participation of an organization in the CACFP or an organization’s claim for reimbursement.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">B.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]><u>Manner of Filing a Request for a Hearing:<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">A CACFP participant organization aggrieved by an adverse action of the State CACFP agency or by the findings in a single audit report may appeal such action by filing a timely request for a hearing
<u>on or before the <b>15<sup>th</sup></b> calendar day</u> after receipt of the notice of adverse action.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none">A request for a hearing resulting from an adverse action initiated by the State CACFP agency shall be mailed to, or filed with, Federal Liaison, Maine Department of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta,
Maine 04333. A request for a hearing resulting from an adverse finding or conclusion included in a single audit report or in an agency-wide audit report shall be submitted to the lead State agency listed in the organization’s current CACFP agreement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="2" type="A">
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request shall be in writing.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request must contain the name and address of the organization and the name and title of the person who signed the hearing request.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request must be signed by an authorized representative of the organization.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
An organization that files an appeal and request for a hearing shall be afforded the opportunity to examine and copy the information in the State agency’s files upon which the adverse action was based.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
An organization may represent itself during the hearing process, it may be represented by legal counsel, or it may be represented by another person at the organization’s expense.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Upon acceptance, the request for a hearing will be assigned to a Departmental Fair Hearings Officer. The Departmental Fair Hearings Officer shall be an independent and impartial official who is not accountable
to the decision-making authority.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">C.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]><u>Content Of A Request For A Hearing:</u><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="3" type="A">
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
A request for a hearing must clearly identify the adverse action being appealed.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request must identify the basis of the organization’s appeal and the relief or remedy being sought.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request must cite the date of the letter or other such written communication from the Department which notified the organization of the proposed adverse action.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
The request must include the name and title of the official who signs the letter or communication requesting the hearing.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:-.75in;text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2">
An organization may submit written information in support of its position along with its hearing request or the organization may state that it intends to submit additional written information to the designated Fair Hearings Officer. If written information
is to be submitted by the organization, it must do so <u>within 30 calendar days</u> after receipt of the State CACFP agency’s notice of adverse action.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in"> Any notice of adverse action which may become the basis for a request of a hearing will be sent to the organization by email and/or using the ‘Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested’ method. A notice
is considered received by the institution or responsible principal or responsible individual five days after being sent to the addressee’s last known mailing address, fax number, or email address.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="mso-list:Ignore">D.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><![endif]> <u>Hearing and Decision<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">If a hearing is requested, the institution, the responsible principals and responsible<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">individuals, and the State agency must be provided with
<u>at least 10 days</u> advance notice of<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">the time and the place of the hearing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">The administrative review official must make a determination based solely on the<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">information provided by the State agency, the institution and the responsible principals and<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">responsible individuals, and based on the Federal and State laws, regulations, policies<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">and procedures governing the program. The decision must be issued
<u>within 60 days</u> of<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">the State agency’s receipt of the request for the administrative review. The determination<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-left:0in">made by the administrative review official is the final administrative determination.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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