# National School Lunch Program: Direct Certification Continuous Improvement Plans Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
> **Food and Nutrition Service** · Final rule. · Published 2013-02-22 · Effective 2013-03-25 · 78 FR 12221
## Document
- **Document number:** 2013-04118
- **Category:** food-assistance
- **Sub-agency:** Food and Nutrition Service
- **Federal Register citation:** 78 FR 12221
- **CFR reference:** 7 CFR 245
- **Publication date:** 2013-02-22
- **Effective date:** 2013-03-25
## Abstract

This rule amends the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations to incorporate provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 designed to encourage States to improve direct certification efforts with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The provisions require State agencies to meet certain direct certification performance benchmarks and to develop and implement continuous improvement plans if they fail to do so. This rule also amends NSLP and SNAP regulations to provide for the collection of data elements needed to compute each State's direct certification performance rate to compare with the new benchmarks. Improved direct certification efforts would help increase program accuracy, reduce paperwork for States and households, and increase eligible children's access to school meals.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/02/22/2013-04118/national-school-lunch-program-direct-certification-continuous-improvement-plans-required-by-the)
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