CACFP

(CHILD and ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM)

"Where Healthy Eating Becomes a Habit"

Child Care Solutions is the sponsor for the NYS Department of  Health's Child and Adult Care Food Program, also known as CACFP.  This Program partially reimburses in-home child care  providers  for food they serve children in their care. The purpose for this page is to highlight the  benefits of this program.

CACFP History

The CACFP nutritional program started in the late 1960's as the result of a study  that reported the poor academic abilities of children whose nutritional needs were  not being met. The  Free/Reduced school lunch program was then expanded to include day care centers in the 70's and family child care providers in the late 80's. The  program is designed to help reimburse child care providers some of the expenses of feeding children in their care. It is also designed to help meet the nutritional needs  of the growing child and establish healthy eating habits for their future.

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Reasons to Participate

It is very easy to participate in the CACFP food program.  All you need to do is call us at 446-1220 ext 318 and tell us you are interested in getting on the food program.  We will set up an in-home training appointment to help you understand the program and the paperwork involved.  

To qualify for the program you must have day care children enrolled in your program and be a Registered (Family) child care provider, a Licensed (Group) child care provider or have submitted an application to be either one.  You may also participate as an Exempt provider if you have completed a Legally Exempt enrollment packet.

There are many reasons that make this program a benefit and well worth the time it takes you to do a little paperwork ...   

• You receive a monthly reimbursement check for a portion of the meals you provide and could include meals served to your own children during day care hours.

• All papers and forms necessary to participate on the program are supplied to you by your sponsor.
• You receive continuous guidance and training in nutritional standards.
• You are offered an endless supply of resources regarding recipes and activities.

• Additional resources are made available to help you be a child care professional such as information on financial record keeping, taxes, business management and many other topics related to child care.

• Your CACFP Monitor is only a phone call away to answer any question or help you solve a problem.  You will also benefit from the one-on-one visits to your home.

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Program Responsibilities

The participant will be responsible for:

• offering children nutritious meals and snacks in accordance with U.S.D.A. guidelines

• complying with rules set by D.O.H.

• keeping daily records of the foods served and the number of meals served to each child

• participating in the nutritional training and education offered annually

• providing children with a safe and healthy environment for dining

• acting as a role model by demonstrating healthy eating and appropriate dining behavior

• permitting the CACFP sponsor to visit your home to review food services

• sending the CACFP sponsor information needed monthly by the established deadline in order to claim for meal reimbursement

• introducing children to a variety of food

• teaching children about food and nutrition

As the sponsor of the CACFP food program Child Care Solutions will:

• follow and enforce rules and regulations established by U.S.D.A. and D.O.H.

• qualify those participating in the program

• provide training to those participating

• review menus to assure meals meet the nutritional requirements set by U.S.D.A. and D.O.H.

• visit providers homes to insure the food service and home meet requirements

• handle paperwork necessary for reimbursement to providers

• mail reimbursement checks to participants

• furnish providers with the forms necessary to participate in the program

Research

Research has been done on the nutritional needs of children and it has been shown that the CACFP Food Program does make a difference in children's lives.  It is important to understand that both good nutrition and quality child care is needed for brain development of preschool age children.  The CACFP is a key to development because it helps child care providers understand and serve nutritious meals and because it helps make quality child care affordable.

Studies have documented the success of CACFP:

• children in a CACFP participating home/center had significantly higher intakes of key nutrients (protein, minerals & vitamins), consumed more servings of milk and vegetables and fewer fats and sweets and were

          sick less often than children at a non-participating home/center.  (a published study from the Journal of  

          American Dietetic Association)

• 87% of the family child care homes that provide good quality child care participated in the CACFP program.

          (a published study by The Families and Work Institute)

• the CACFP program was an important support for long-term success in building strong family child care for low-income families.  (reported by The National Center for Children in Poverty)

• experts believe the CACFP program was effective in enhancing family child care as a business "because of

          its unique combination of resources, training and oversight."  (noted by The General Accounting Office)

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Reimbursement Rates

It is the responsibility of the provider to offer components meeting guideline requirements.  It is the child's responsibility to make choices based on the components offered.  A child should never be forced to eat; it is by offering nutritional choices that children learn how to eat well for life.

For further details or to enroll in the program 
   contact Child Care Solutions

at 446-1220 ext. 318

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