CACFP Training

CACFP operators and staff involved in menu planning or food service operations

Join us for an exciting new training series on Menu Planning Success in the CACFP. This three-part series will help you learn how to create a compliant menu from the ground up, how to credit challenging foods, and discover tools that will add variety to your menus and ease the menu planning process. This training will have you feeling confident your menus are complete, compliant with the meal pattern, documented correctly, and filled with nourishing foods. Each part of the training is scheduled for 2 hours.

• Part 1: Menu Planning Success in the CACFP Series: Part 1 - Laying the Foundation
• Part 2: Menu Planning Success in the CACFP Series: Part 2 – Answers to Common Questions
• Part 3: Menu Planning Success in the CACFP Series: Part 3 – Using Helpful Tools

At the end of these 3 series, participants will be able to:

• Analyze current CACFP menus for compliance with the regulations
• Modify CACFP menus, as needed, for compliance with the regulations
• Identify and use menu planning resources

• Date and Time: July 13, 2022, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: July 20, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: July 27, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

CACFP operators and staff involved in planning infant menus and feeding infants

The CACFP infant meal pattern supports the growth and development of babies during their first year. Join us for a 4-part training series focused on feeding the youngest of CACFP participants, 0-11-month-olds. We will cover the CACFP requirements and best practices for feeding infants. You will come away with an in-depth understanding of reimbursable meals and snacks in the infant meal pattern and tips on handling and storing breastmilk and formula. Each part of the training is scheduled for 2 hours.

• Part 1: Feeding Infants in the CACFP: Introduction to the Infant Meal Pattern and Creditable Foods
• Part 2: Feeding Infants in the CACFP: Feeding Babies Breastmilk and Formula
• Part 3: Feeding Infants in the CACFP: Modifying Food Textures Based on an Infant’s Readiness for Solid Foods
• Part 4: Feeding Infants in the CACFP: Supporting Breastfeeding Families in a Child Care Setting

At the end of this training series, participants will be able to:

• Describe how a baby’s changing eating habits fit within the infant meal pattern
• Support breastfeeding families in the CACFP
• Identify creditable foods for reimbursable infant meals and snacks
• Accurately document infant meals

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 10, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 17, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 24, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

This training will provide guidance and information on the daily, weekly, and monthly record keeping requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It is recommended that the attendee from the institution be the person(s) who is responsible for record keeping and CACFP training for the Sponsoring Organization.

• Date and Time: August 25, 9 AM - 12 AM 
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

This training will provide guidance and information on the daily, weekly, and monthly record keeping requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It is recommended that the attendee from the institution be the person(s) who is responsible for record keeping and CACFP training for the Independent Center.

• Date and Time: August 23, 9 AM - 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

This training covers the process and requirements for institutions submitting a NEW application to participate in the North Carolina Child and Adult Care Food Program.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Complete the required forms to begin the online application process
• Understand the purpose and benefits of the CACFP
• Identify regulations that govern the CACFP and understand their importance
• Gain access to additional training requirements

• Date and Time: July 12, 2022, from 9 AM - 12 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

This training covers the process and requirements for institutions submitting a NEW application to participate in the North Carolina Child and Adult Care Food Program.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Complete the required forms to begin the online application process
• Understand the purpose and benefits of the CACFP
• Identify regulations that govern the CACFP and understand their importance
• Gain access to additional training requirements

• Date and Time: July 14, 2022, from 1 PM – 4 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

NC CACFP operators who are responsible for the administration of the program and completion of the annual application update and the budget for FY2023.

Training for Application Update 2023 will review all the forms and budget requirements needed for the annual application update and continued participation in the NC CACFP. On demand trainings will post after August 3, 2022.

• Date and Time: Tuesday, June 21; 9:00 AM -11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Thursday, June 23; 1:00 PM – 3:30PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Tuesday, June 28; 9:00 AM – 11: 30AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Wednesday, June 29; 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Thursday, July 28; 9:00 AM -11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 3; 1:00 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

• Date and Time: Wednesday, June 22; 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Thursday, June 23; 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Wednesday, June 29; 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Thursday, June 30; 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Thursday, July 28; 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration
• Date and Time: Tuesday, August 2; 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Registration: Adobe Connect Registration

This training was designed for institutions and facilities who receive or plan to receive meals from an outside vendor. During this training we will present an overview of food service contracts in the CACFP, choosing the right contract, contract renewals, procurement guidance, and food service contract submissions.

Directors, owners, administrators, and staff of all types of participating institutions

This Civil Rights training is a yearly training requirement for participating CACFP institutions and their facilities. The goal of this training is to describe the Civil Rights procedures and requirements that apply to both the State agency and local agencies operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program as described in the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instruction 113-1 document.

At the end of these trainings, participants will be able to:

• Define Civil Rights
• Identify the six protected classes
• Define the annual Civil Rights training requirements
• Identify the nine areas of responsibility
• Solve Civil Rights case studies

Sponsoring Organizations desiring training for CACFP Administration Description

There are three course categories:

1. The Monitoring and Oversight course reviews the CACFP monitoring requirements and oversight activities for sponsoring organizations.
2. The Financial Viability course provides an overview of the CACFP performance standards and focus on the requirements specific to financial viability.
3. The Serious Deficiency course reviews the CACFP requirements of the serious deficiency process.

The courses can be accessed on the CORE website at https://www.core-cacfp.com. The enrollment key is CORE.

Directors, owners, and administrators of all types of participating institutions

This online training will provide an overview of the Corrective Action Document (CAD) process.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of a CAD
• State why a CAD is necessary to close a review
• Answer five key questions for completing a CAD
• Identify examples of supporting documentation for CADs
• Complete the CAD section in NC CARES

Individuals responsible for completing Adult Income Eligibility Applications

This introductory training will cover Adult Income Eligibility Application requirements, review a sample Adult Income eligibility application form developed by the state agency, and provide tips on maintaining eligibility documentation.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the requirements for collecting and maintaining eligibility applications
• Assess eligibility applications for accuracy
• Describe how to accurately report free/reduced/denied numbers
• Identify policy memos regarding classification of eligibility applications

Individuals responsible for completing Child Income Eligibility Applications

This introductory training will cover Child Income Eligibility Application requirements, review a sample Child Income eligibility application form developed by the state agency, and provide tips on maintaining eligibility documentation.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the requirements for collecting and maintaining eligibility applications
• Assess eligibility applications for accuracy
• Describe how to accurately report free/reduced/denied numbers
• Identify policy memos regarding classification of eligibility applications

Individuals responsible for the CACFP Medical Statement for participants.

This training covers the North Carolina CACFP Medical Statement for Meal Modifications. We discuss the institutions’ responsibilities, the CACFP regulations, and additional guidance.

Individual(s) responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls for their institution

Guide to property standards policies as a tool to provide greater accountability over assets and increased transparency of public funds.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basics of managing equipment and supplies
• Understand the requirement for a Property Policy

Child and Adult Care food program (CACFP) operators who are responsible for menu planning, purchasing foods, and ensuring CACFP Meal Patterns are followed.

This on-demand, self-paced course will cover how to measure and serve grains using ounce equivalents and identify resources which will assist CACFP operators in determining the amount of grains need to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements. The CACFP requirement to measure grains using ounce equivalents will become effective on October 1, 2021.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define ounce equivalents
• Determine whether grain products meet minimum Ounce equivalent portion sizes using available resources
• Identify where to find ounce equivalent resources

Individual(s) responsible for reviewing institution menus and ensuring the CACFP meal patterns are followed including CACFP program operators and those who prepare foods for institutions.

This 30-minute webinar is geared to staff who work in child care centers or sponsored facilities who prepare menus, purchase food, and prepare meals. Participants will learn about the different and appropriate way in which combination foods can be documented in CACFP. A combination food is a food that contains two or more meal pattern components. Combination foods may be commercially prepared or made-from-scratch recipes.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify what food items qualify as combination foods
• List different ways to document combination foods
• Describe ways to locate documentation for combination foods
• Accurately describe the appropriate and required documentation for combination foods

Early childhood education staff, adult day care centers staff, administrators, child care providers, and community partners.

Farm to CACFP is a growing movement among facilities. Farm to CACFP includes incorporating local foods into menus, planting gardens, taking field trips to farms and farmers markets, and much more.

Learn how experiential gardening and nutrition activities paired with eating local foods can "plant the seeds" for healthy eating habits while supporting local economies.

At the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

1. Describe Farm to CACFP and its benefits
2. Identify ideas and resources for how get started with local foods and incorporate gardening and nutrition activities in your facility
3. Learn from community partners who are implementing Farm to Early Care and Education initiatives in their communities

Improve your understanding of serving meals and snacks in the CACFP with fun, online lessons designed to help you build nutritious and creditable menus. Receive a certificate and 0.5 DCDEE credit hour for each lesson completed.

Click here to watch a 5-minute video and learn how to sign up for healthycacfp.org and navigate the website.

Individuals responsible for meals and menu planning at adult day care centers - cooks, kitchen managers, administrators, and adult day care providers.

This 50-minute webinar is geared to staff who work in adult day care centers.  Participants will learn about changes to the new CACFP Meal Patterns which promote increased consumption of whole grains, a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, and less added sugar and saturated fats in meals and snacks served in adult day care centers.  Participants will learn about resources available to help with successful implementation of the CACFP Meal Patterns.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify changes to the adult meal patterns
• Compare the revised adult meal patterns with the previous pattern
• Identify resources and tool available to help with successful implementation of the new meal patterns
• Implement the adult meal pattern successfully at your institution

Individuals at Sponsoring Organizations and Independent Centers who are responsible for menu planning, purchasing foods, and ensuring CACFP Meal Patterns are followed.

This webinar is geared to staff who work in child care centers serving children ages 1-18 years. Participants will learn about the CACFP Child Meal Pattern that became effective on October 1, 2017. This webinar will cover changes to specific meal components and additional changes that promote healthier meals for children in child care settings, at-risk afterschool programs, and emergency shelters.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify changes to the CACFP child meal pattern
• Know where to locate child meal pattern resources
• Implement the child meal pattern successfully at your institution

Individuals at Sponsoring Organizations and Independent Centers who are responsible for menu planning, purchasing foods, and ensuring CACFP Meal Patterns are followed.

This webinar is geared to staff who work in child care centers serving infants. CACFP meal patterns have been created to ensure infants are provided the most nutritious meals throughout the day. This includes support and promotion of breastfeeding, and offering solid foods based on developmental readiness. Participants will learn about changes to the infant meal patterns effective October 1, 2017.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify changes to the CACFP infant meal patterns
• Compare the revised CACFP infant meal pattern with the previous pattern
• Implement the infant meal pattern successfully at your institution

Learn about the new Food Buying Guide (FBG) Mobile App and FBG Interactive Web Tool via a demonstration! The link to the recording of the webinar is available on the USDA Team Nutrition Webinar page.

FNS regional offices, state agencies, sponsoring organizations, and CACFP program operators, including child care providers, are invited to participate.

Since October 2017, USDA’s Team Nutrition had been presenting a series of interactive, skills-building webinars on the updated Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns.

The webinar series take place on the third Thursday of each month and is offered in English from 2:00-2:30pm ET and Spanish from 3:00-3:30pm ET.

Previous CACFP Halftime webinars have been recorded and are available on the USDA website link below. Topics previously covered include:

• Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars
• Serving Milk in the CACFP
• Menu Planning for the CACFP
• Identify Whole Grain-Rich Foods
• Grain-Based Desserts in the CACFP
• Offer Versus Serve in the CACFP
• Feeding Infants 0-5 months

To access the recorded webinars, please visit the CACFP Halftime: Thirty on Thursdays Training Webinar Series page.