Facilities that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

• Receive reimbursement for the meals served to enrolled children and adults in your facility;
• Receive training on how to plan and serve meals that meet national and state requirements;
• Receive training on CACFP requirements, nutrition, and healthful eating habits.

Eligible Facilities

The types of facilities that are eligible to receive CACFP benefits are:

• Public or private nonprofit non-residential day care centers
• Sponsoring organizations of day care homes or centers
• Head Start centers
• Outside-school-hours care centers
• Private-for-profit centers that receive title XIX or title XX funds for at least 25% of enrolled participants
• Emergency shelters that serve homeless children
• "At-risk" after school centers

Age Requirements

The age requirement for enrollees in the facility that you may claim meal reimbursement from are:

• Children age 12 or under
• Children of migrant workers age 15 or under
• Children 12 - 18 years of age if enrolled in an "At-Risk" program
• Mentally/physically disabled persons if the majority of enrollees are 18 or under
• Chronically impaired disabled adults 18 years of age or older
• Adults 60 years of age receiving non-residential care

Additional Requirements

In addition, the facility must:

• Be currently open with enrolled participants
• Be licensed, certified, or approved to operate a day care center (except emergency shelters)
• Be eligible to prepare meals or have meals catered
• Serve meals that meet Federal Nutrition Requirements
• Supervise meal service
• Maintain accurate records
• Submit claims for reimbursement
• Have tax exempt status (nonprofits)

If your facility qualifies, you can sign up for the Potential Institution Training. This day-long training is offered several times a year throughout the state. During the training, you will receive all of the materials needed for managing the CACFP program at your facility. Your Special Nutrition Program Consultant will explain how to complete the necessary contracts and paperwork to meet program regulations. Approval to participate in the program is based on satisfactory completion of paperwork and compliance with program regulations. Once your center is on the CACFP, your Special Nutrition Program Consultant is available to provide technical assistance on operating the program.