The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
For Child Care Providers, the CACFP not only helps cover the cost of the food they offer to the children in their care, but it also provides training to make the best nutrition choices when feeding those children. In addition to assisting those in child care, the CACFP provides meals to children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks and suppers to youths participating in eligible after-school care programs.
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.
Participating in the CACFP
CACFP serves nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. A family or group day care home must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization to participate in CACFP. The Association for Child Development is a sponsor of the CACFP in Michigan and Illinois. There is no cost to participate.
Overview & Benefits as a CACFP Sponsored Provider with ACD
One of the goals of the CACFP is to ensure that children are given every opportunity to learn healthy eating habits through education and sound nutrition practices. The CACFP is federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered at the state level by the Illinois State Board of Education (OSBE).
How the CACFP Operates
You, a licensed or license exempt Child Care Provider, enroll children for participation with the CACFP by having their parents/guardians complete a Child Enrollment Form. In order to be reimbursed for meals/ snacks served to a child, this form must be submitted to the Association for Child Development (ACD) before or along with the Claim on which the child's name first appears.
You provide meals/snacks that meet USDA nutritional requirements. Additionally, you keep daily records of meals/ snacks served and each child's attendance at the meals/snacks on the Claim. This is your menu which is referred to as a 'Claim' when received at ACD for reimbursement. You must submit the completed Claim monthly to ACD, either by mail or electronically. We review your Claim, then apply to ISBE for your reimbursement money. Each fiscal year, which is the period between October I and September 30, your child care business is reviewed a minimum of three times, in your home by an ACD Field Monitor who: (I) monitors CACFP compliance and understanding, (2) trains you about the nutritional needs of children, and (3) assists you in meeting CACFP requirements.
As soon as the funds become available to ACD from ISBE, you are mailed a reimbursement check for the qualifying meals/snacks that you served. Or the reimbursement is directly deposited into your bank account if you choose.
CACFP Benefits
Participating with the CACFP is a marketing tool that appeals to parents/ guardians. Parents/ guardians can be assured that their children receive nutritious meals/snacks while in your care.
You receive nutrition training. The primary goal of the CACFP is to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of children.Therefore, the publications and materials that ACD distributes to Providers are nutrition-focused.
You receive reimbursement for serving nutritious meals/ snacks. Monetary reimbursement for partial cost of the food you feed the children in your care is intended to help offset the cost of food.
You receive ACD's monthly nationally-known newsletter. Potpourri is tailored to meet the needs of Child Care Providers participating with the CACFP. It contains articles about child nutrition, child development, educational activities, recipes, consumer updates, helpful hints and ideas from other Child Care Providers, and much more. Nonmembers may subscribe to Potpourri each year for a small cost.
You receive ACD's annual desktop calendar and recordkeeping book. In the fall of each year, you can look forward to receiving ACD's calendar and record-keeping book for the upcoming year. The record-keeping charts will help your child care business stay organized and running smoothly, and give you a head start on tax preparation. Plus, the desktop size makes the book easy to take anywhere.
You are periodically reviewed by your Field Monitor. Your Field Monitor conducts a review of your home a minimum of three times a year to ensure that each child is being served nutritious meals/ snacks, to monitor CACFP compliance, and to provide nutrition training. These reviews provide an opportunity to ask questions and receive one-on-one assistance with menu planning, documenting an acceptable Claim, and learning more about nutrition and its importance for children.
You receive budgeting ideas. Serving high quality, nutritious meals/snacks that meet budget constraints is challenging. Handouts, such as "100 Creative Snacks on a Budget" and "Budget Busters," in addition to articles in Potpourri, are resources that ACD offers to assist Providers in making the most of their dollars. Let your Field Monitor know if you would like a copy of these or any other handouts published by ACD.
You have the option of using ACD's time-saving system for recording meals/ snacks on your Claims. Master Menu lists breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snack options, along with reference codes. Simply write the reference code of the Master Menu meals/ snacks that you serve on your Claim.
You have the option of submitting your monthly claims electronically. ACD offers online claiming software exclusively to the Providers it sponsors. Online Claims eliminate postage costs and handwritten/bubbled Claims and reduce loss of reimbursement. You have access to assistance by calling the Customer Service Division at ACD's tollfree telephone number. A Customer Service Specialist will be happy to answer questions about completing forms, documenting an acceptable Claim, and a number of other topics. To reach a Customer Service Specialist, call (800) 284-5273.
ACD's objectives as a CACFP sponsor include:
- providing materials to assist Child Care Providers in introducing children to a variety of foods that help to develop positive attitudes about nutrition and healthy eating habits in an environment that contributes to the children's development and social needs;
- training Child Care Providers to understand the role of nutrition in children's total physical, cognitive, and social development;
- providing partial monetary reimbursement for qualifying meals/snacks served to increase Child Care Providers' abilities to meet the children's nutritional needs; and
- monitoring Child Care Providers for CACFP compliance.
Why the CACFP is Important
The USDA's CACFP plays a vital role in improving the quality of Child Care and making it more affordable for low-income families.