The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in California - post

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program in the United States that provides financial assistance to child care providers, schools, and other organizations offering nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults in their care. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), CACFP plays a crucial role in promoting the #health-and well-being of individuals in child care settings, adult day care centers, after-school programs, and #emergency shelters.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) exists to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations. This program was established with several key objectives in mind:

Promoting Nutrition:

• CACFP aims to improve the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served to individuals in participating care settings. By establishing specific nutrition standards, the program encourages the provision of well-balanced and wholesome foods that contribute to overall #health-and well-being. Participating providers must adhere to specific nutrition standards, ensuring that meals include appropriate servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. This focus on nutrition aims to promote #healthy-eating habits from an early age. Understanding the USDA MyPlate food guide is an important step. Check out ChildCareEd’s article: Childhood Nutrition to learn more.

Addressing Food Insecurity:

• CACFP plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity among children and adults in various care environments. By providing financial assistance to participating child care centers, family child care #homes, afterschool programs, and adult day care centers, CACFP helps ensure that nutritious meals are accessible to those who may face economic challenges.

Supporting Child Development:

• For child care providers, particularly in #early-childhood-education settings, CACFP supports the healthy #development of young children. Proper nutrition is essential for cognitive development, physical growth, and overall well-being. CACFP helps create an environment where children receive the nutrition necessary for optimal learning and development.

Reducing Health Disparities:

• CACFP aims to reduce health disparities by ensuring that all participants in non-residential care settings have access to nutritious meals, regardless of their socio-economic background. This helps level the playing field and contributes to long-term health outcomes.

Fostering Good Eating Habits:

• By promoting nutritious meals and snacks, CACFP assists child care providers in instilling good eating habits in children at an early age. Exposure to healthy food choices and positive eating experiences contributes to the development of lifelong habits that can prevent diet-related health issues.

Enhancing Program Quality:

• For child care centers and family child care homes, participation in CACFP can contribute to the overall quality of their programs. Financial support allows providers to invest in better food options, educational resources, and improved facilities, creating a more enriching environment for participants.

Meeting Licensing and Regulatory Standards:

• Many licensing and regulatory standards for child care programs include requirements related to nutrition. CACFP assists providers in meeting these standards, contributing to the overall compliance and quality of child care services.

Key features of the Child and Adult Care Food Program include:

Financial Assistance:

• CACFP offers cash reimbursements to participating childcare providers and organizations to help offset the costs associated with serving nutritious meals and snacks. These reimbursements are based on the number of eligible meals served and comply with established nutrition standards.

Eligible Participants:

• CACFP serves various settings, including child care centers, family child care #homes, Head Start programs, after-school programs, adult day care centers, and emergency shelters. Eligible participants in these programs receive nutritious meals through CACFP.

Support for Low-Income Individuals:

• CACFP targets programs that primarily serve children and adults from low-income households. By providing financial assistance, the program helps ensure that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious meals, supporting their overall #health-and #development.

State Administration:

• While CACFP is a federal program, it is administered at the state level. State agencies, often within the Department of Education or a similar department, oversee the implementation of CACFP. These agencies establish guidelines, provide training, and monitor participating providers to ensure compliance.

Overall, the Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in ensuring that children and adults in various care settings receive the nutrition they need for optimal growth, development, and overall well-being. It aligns with the broader goals of promoting health, preventing hunger, and supporting the educational and #developmental needs of individuals in child care and adult care settings.

California Child Care CACFP Participation:

In California, this program provides nutritious meals and snacks to more than 500,000 children in day care homes and child care centers each day, as well as to more than 100,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. Participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in the state of California involves several steps. Here's a guide to help child care programs in California navigate the process:

Contact the California Department of Social Services (CDSS):

• The California Department of Social Services CACFP Branch administers the program in California. There are five components to the CACFP: Child Care, Adult Day Care, Emergency Shelter, At-risk Afterschool Meals, and Day Care Homes. Organizations may be able to participate in the CACFP under one of these comEnsure that your child care program meets the eligibility criteria for participation in CACFP. 
• Contact [email protected]. A CDSS staff will review your request and then contact you within 7 days for a prescreening.
• The specialist will complete a prescreening questionnaire over the phone; during the phone call the specialist will determine your eligibility to apply for the CACFP. If you are eligible, the specialist will follow up with an email containing application instructions and deadlines based on your agency type.

Attend Training or Orientation Sessions:

• During the CACFP application process, county CACFP Specialists will require prospective CACFP Operators to complete a series of online trainings, depending on agency type.  These trainings are designed to instruct prospective CACFP Operators on the requirements needed to successfully operate the CACFP.  Prospective CACFP Operators must complete all training requirements prior to operating the CACFP and claiming meals for reimbursement.

Request and Complete Application Materials:

• Obtain the CACFP application materials from CDSS. You may be able to download the forms from their website or request them directly from the department. Complete the application with accurate information about your child care program.

Develop a Menu that Meets Nutrition Standards:

• Design a menu that complies with CACFP nutrition standards. Ensure that your meals include appropriate servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. Familiarize yourself with the meal pattern requirements specified by CACFP.

Implement Recordkeeping Systems:

• Establish effective recordkeeping systems to document meals served, attendance, and other necessary information. Accurate and timely recordkeeping is essential for demonstrating compliance with CACFP regulations.

Submit the Application:

• Submit your completed CACFP application to the California Department of Social Services. Include all required documentation and ensure that your application is accurate and complete.

Participate in Monitoring Visits:

• Be prepared for monitoring visits from representatives of CDSS or their designated agencies. During these visits, your program's compliance with CACFP regulations will be assessed. Use these visits as an opportunity to address any questions and demonstrate your commitment to program requirements.

Receive Approval:

• Upon successful completion of the application process and verification of compliance, your child care program will receive approval to participate in CACFP. This approval enables you to start receiving cash reimbursements for eligible meals served.

Implement CACFP Guidelines:

• Start implementing CACFP guidelines in your child care program. This involves serving nutritious meals that meet program standards, incorporating nutrition education, and maintaining ongoing compliance with program regulations.

Stay Informed and Seek Support:

• Stay informed about any updates or changes to CACFP regulations in California. Regularly check the CDSS website for resources, updates, and additional support. 

By following these steps and maintaining ongoing compliance, your child care program in California can successfully participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), contributing to the well-being and nutrition of the children in your care.

Day Care Home Participation:

Day care home providers may participate in the CACFP only under a sponsoring organization. A list of Day Care Home Sponsors can be found at https://cacfp.dss.ca.gov/DayCareHomeSponsors#list Sponsors are listed by county.

Get Started Today:

Enrollment in CACFP provides crucial financial support, offering cash reimbursements to offset the costs associated with providing nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children. This support not only eases the financial burden on child care providers but also enables them to invest in program enhancements and resources, ultimately enriching the learning environment. Furthermore, participation in CACFP ensures that children receive balanced and healthy meals, positively impacting their overall #health-and development. By instilling #healthy-eating habits at an early age, child care providers contribute to the long-term well-being of the children they serve. Additionally, CACFP compliance aligns with licensing standards, fostering regulatory adherence and supporting professional development opportunities. Overall, CACFP participation enhances the quality of child care, promotes health-conscious practices, and contributes to a thriving and well-nourished community of young learners.

Looking for information on child nutrition? ChildCareEd offers several courses that focus on #healthy-eating and child nutrition. 

• On My Plate: Children's Nutrition
• Health & Nutrition
• Healthy Habits from the Start