42 USC 1769 - State childhood hunger challenge grants

View all text of Chapter 13 [§ 1751 - § 1769j]

§ 1769e. State childhood hunger challenge grants

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Child

(2) Supplemental nutrition assistance program

(b) Purpose

(1) enhance benefits provided under the supplemental nutrition assistance program for eligible households with children;

(2) enhance benefits or provide for innovative program delivery models in the school meals, afterschool snack, and child and adult care food programs under this chapter and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);

(3) target Federal, State, or local assistance, including emergency housing, family preservation services, child care, or temporary assistance at households with children who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity, to the extent permitted by the legal authority establishing those assistance programs and services;

(4) enhance outreach to increase access and participation in Federal nutrition assistance programs; and

(5) improve the coordination of Federal, State, and community resources and services aimed at preventing food insecurity and hunger, including through the establishment and expansion of State food policy councils.

(d) Grants

(1) In general

(2) Application

(3) Selection criteriaThe Secretary shall evaluate proposals based on publicly disseminated criteria that may include—

(A) an identification of a low-income target group that reflects individuals experiencing hunger or food insecurity;

(B) a commitment to approaches that allow for a rigorous outcome evaluation as described in subsection (f);

(C) a comprehensive and innovative strategy to reduce the risk of childhood hunger or provide a significant improvement to the food security status of households with children; and

(D) such other criteria as are determined by the Secretary.

(4) RequirementsAny project funded under this section shall provide for—

(A) a baseline assessment, and subsequent annual assessments, of the prevalence and severity of very low food security among children in the State, based on a methodology prescribed by the Secretary;

(B) a collaborative planning process including key stakeholders in the State that results in a comprehensive agenda to eliminate childhood hunger that is—

(i) described in a detailed project plan; and

(ii) provided to the Secretary for approval;

(D) specific performance goals, including the goal to sharply reduce or eliminate food insecurity among children in the State by 2015, as determined through a methodology prescribed by the Secretary and carried out by the Governor; and

(E) an independent outcome evaluation of not less than 1 major strategy of the project that measures—

(i) the specific impact of the strategy on food insecurity among children in the State; and

(ii) if applicable, the nutrition assistance participation rate among children in the State.

(e) ConsultationIn determining the range of projects and defining selection criteria under this section, the Secretary shall consult with—

(1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(2) the Secretary of Labor;

(3) the Secretary of Education; and

(4) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(f) Evaluation and reporting

(1) General performance assessmentEach project authorized under this section shall require an independent assessment that—

(A) measures the impact of any activities carried out under the project on the level of food insecurity in the State that—

(i) focuses particularly on the level of food insecurity among children in the State; and

(ii) includes a preimplementation baseline and annual measurements taken during the project of the level of food insecurity in the State; and

(B) is carried out using a methodology prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) Independent evaluationEach project authorized under this section shall provide for an independent evaluation of not less than 1 major strategy that—

(A) measures the impact of the strategy on appropriate participation, food security, nutrition, and associated behavioral outcomes among participating households; and

(B) uses rigorous experimental designs and methodologies, particularly random assignment or other methods that are capable of producing scientifically valid information regarding which activities are effective in reducing the prevalence or preventing the incidence of food insecurity and hunger in the community, especially among children.

(3) ReportingNot later than December 31, 2011 and each December 31 thereafter until the date on which the last evaluation under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall—

(A) submit to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes a description of—

(i) the status of each State demonstration project; and

(ii) the results of any evaluations of the demonstration projects completed during the previous fiscal year; and

(B) ensure that the evaluation results are shared broadly to inform policy makers, service providers, other partners, and the public in order to promote the wide use of successful strategies.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Use of funds

(3) Limitations

(A) Duration

(B) Performance basis

(D) Other benefitsFunds made available under this section may not be used for any project in a manner that is inconsistent with—

(i) this chapter;

(ii) the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);

(iii) the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or

(iv) the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

(June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 24, as added Pub. L. 111–296, title I, § 142, Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3210.)