Memorandum of Understanding
Between The Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Service
and The Administration for Children
Youth and Families
Office of Human Development Service
of the United States Department of Health and Human Services

 

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION GUIDE 7155e.10
COMPLIANCE POLICY GUIDES

 

CHAPTER 55e – MOUs and IAGs – FEDERAL (HHS)

Memorandum of Understanding with the Administration for Children, Youth and Families to Assure That Feeding Programs in Head Start Centers Conform with Federal Food Safety and Sanitation Recommendations (FDA-225-89-2000)

 

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to promote coordination between the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Head Start Bureau (HSB), Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) in order to achieve greater effectiveness in assuring that feeding programs in Head Start centers conform with Federal food safety and sanitation recommendations.

 

II. BACKGROUND AND AUTHORITIES

The Head Start Program was authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1966 and subsequently by the Head Start Act of 1981 (Section 635 et seq. of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981, P.L. 97-35). Its mandate is to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children for low income families with a comprehensive program to meet their educational, social, health, nutritional, emotional and psychological needs. It provides for the direct participation of parents in the development and overall program direction at local level. FDA, under the Public Health Service Act (P.L. 78-410) and the Economy Act (31 USC 1535), is responsible for assisting local, State and Federal agencies that are responsible for food protection and sanitation in commercial and institutional food establishments. This responsibility includes helping these agencies to protect the consumer at the point of service at congregate sites, such as Head Start locations.

 

III. SUBSTANCE OF AGREEMENT

A. Pursuant to this agreement ACYF, through its Head Start Bureau, will:

1. Collaborate with FDA-CFSAN in the planning or selection and dissemination of publications related to food protection and sanitation for Head Start program center personnel.

2. Consult with FDA-CFSAN in the development of educational programs in food protection and sanitation for parents and staff.

3. Share with FDA information and reports related to illness statistics for Head Start centers and for research and demonstration grants and projects designed to improve food services to children and families.

4. Cooperate with FDA-CFSAN in the development of initiatives related to food protection and sanitation for low income families as deemed necessary.

 

Pursuant to this agreement, FDA will:

1. Share information as necessary to support special ACFY-HSB grants and projects designed to improve food protection and sanitation and related services to children and families.

2. Provide technical assistance on food protection and sanitation to the ACYF-HSB's National and Regional Offices for their State associations and Head Start grantees.

3. Identify FDA Regional food program specialists who can recommend State and local agency personnel responsible for food service sanitation activities to serve as resources to local Head Start program managers.

4. Identify training facilities available to regional, State and local Head Start programs.

5. Provide assistance in mobilizing State and local resources in food protection and sanitation for meeting the specific needs of Head Start programs.

6. Provide a channel of communication for distribution of technical assistance materials on food protection and sanitation.

7. Cooperate with ACYF-HSB in the development of other initiatives to enhance food protection and sanitation in Head Start centers.

 

IV. PROGRAMMING, BUDGETING AND REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

This Memorandum of Understanding is not a fiscal or funds-obligating document. Any joint endeavors involving reimbursement or transfer of funds between the parties to this agreement will be handled in accordance with prescribed financial procedures and will be the subject of subsidiary agreements that shall be effected in writing by representatives of both parties to this agreement.

 

V. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PRESS LIAISON

Release to the press, public announcements and communication with the Congress concerning joint programs can be made either party to this agreement following coordination by representative of each party. Credit will be given to ACYF and FDA interest as appropriate.

 

VI. AMENDMENTS AND REVIEW

This agreement will be reviewed periodically, but not less than annually. It may be subject to reconsideration at such other time as may be required and as agreed to by the parties to this agreement.

 

VII. LIAISON OFFICERS

For ACYF

Charles A. Jones
Program Specialist
Head Start Bureau
P.O. Box 1182
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 755-7944

 

For FDA

Robert F. Hendrickson
Assistant Director for Training and Information Systems
Retail Food Protection Branch ( HFF-342)
Division of Cooperative Programs
Office of Compliance
200 "C" Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20204
(202) 485-0140

 

VII. PERIOD OF AGREEMENT

This agreement, when accepted by both parties, will be effective indefinitely. It may be modified by mutual consent or it may be terminated by either party upon a thirty (30) day advance written notice to the other.

Approved and Accepted
for the Administration for Children, Youth and Families
Signed by: Dodie Truman Borup
Commissioner, Administration for Children, Youth and Families
Date: February 1, 1989

Approved and Accepted
for Health and Human Services
Signed by: Sydney Olson
Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services
Date: March 3, 1989

Approved and Accepted
for the Food and Drug Administration
Signed by: John M. Taylor
Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs
Food and Drug Administration
Date: April 11, 1989