CACFP REQUIREMENTS
WHAT IS THE CACFP?
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CACFP plays a vital role in assuring the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served to eligible children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. Through CACFP, more than 3.2 million children and 112,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as a part of the day care they receive.
As a participant in the CACFP, child & adult care providers receive monetary reimbursement for serving meals that meet federal nutritional guidelines, outlined in the CACFP meal pattern for eligible enrolled participants.
Family Childcare Home
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Day Care Homes are family day care homes of 7 children per shift and Group Day Care Homes are 12 children plus 3 school agers that receive nonresidential day care in approved private homes by the Tennessee Department of Human Services Child Care license.
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Unregulated homes are day care homes providing care for 4 or fewer non-residential children within a 24 hour period.
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A family or group day care home must complete orientation and sign an agreement with Alpha & Omega to participate in CACFP.
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Reimbursement for meals served in day care homes is based upon eligibility for Tier I rates (which targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or lower Tier II rates.
Family Childcare Home
Day Care Homes are family day care homes of 7 children per shift and Group Day Care Homes are 12 children plus 3 school agers that receive nonresidential day care in approved private homes by the Tennessee Department of Human Services Child Care license. Unregulated homes are day care homes providing care for 4 or fewer non-residential children within a 24 hour period.
A family or group day care home must complete orientation and sign an agreement with Alpha & Omega to participate in CACFP. Reimbursement for meals served in day care homes is based upon eligibility for Tier I rates (which targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or lower Tier II rates.
CACFP provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served to small groups of children receiving nonresidential day care in private homes that are licensed or alternately approved to provide family child care. CACFP targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, and to day care providers and children most in need. The reimbursements make the cost of day care more affordable for many lower income families. Health and safety standards, training, and monitoring make CACFP an important component of quality child care, especially in family day care homes.
Additional Resources:
Childcare Center
Eligible public or private nonprofit child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, Head Start programs, and other institutions which are licensed or approved to provide day care services may participate in CACFP, independently or as sponsored centers. For profit centers must receive title XX funds for at least 25 percent of enrolled children or licensed capacity (whichever is less) or at least 25 percent of the children in care must be eligible for free and reduced price meals. Meals served to children are reimbursed at rates based upon a child's eligibility for free, reduced price, or paid meals. Meals served must meet USDA nutrition guidelines. Child Care Centers should sign an agreement with Alpha & Omega or with the TDHS to participate in CACFP. Reimbursement for meals served in licensed centers is based upon income eligibility.
Additional Resources:
At-Risk After School
Through the At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of CACFP, healthy meals and snacks can be served to children and teenagers who are age 18 or under at the start of the school year. To participate, these programs must (1) be organized primarily to provide care for children after school or on the weekends, holidays, or breaks during the regular school year; (2) provide organized, regularly scheduled activities; (3) include educational or enrichment activities, like arts and crafts, computer lessons, or homework help; and (4) Programs must be offered in areas where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free and reduced price meals based upon school data. Facilities must be approved by the Health Department and must obtain a complete fire inspection. Programs that meet requirements are eligible to receive reimbursement for one meal and one snack per day served to eligible participants.
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Adult Day Care
CACFP supports institutions that want to initiate or improve food service in a variety of settings, including adult daycare centers. Adult care centers receive payments for serving nutritious meals to adults who are 60 or older, or who are physically or mentally impaired to the extent that limits their independence and ability to carry out activities of daily living. CACFP meals give adults the nutrition they need as a routine part of their day care program. CACFP reimbursements help to lower the cost of serving meals at centers that provide adult day care services to meet the needs of functionally impaired adult
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