Child & Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks to licensed child care centers, family and group child care homes,or approved relative providers (a relative provider must be approved through an Early Learning Recource Center and have a signed agreement with ELRC.)  Created by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Child and Adult Care Food Program is administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families.  The program provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks served to enrolled children receiving non-residential child care in private homes that are licensed or approved as a subsidized relative provider by Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) and have a signed agreement with them.

Meals of breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner are planned and served at scheduled mealtimes.  Qualifying meals must meet the USDA food components and quality specifications according to the age of the child.

CACFP is available to enrolled child care children from birth through 12 years of age.

The Clearfield County League on Social Services, Inc. (CCLSS) is a program sponsor in the following counties: Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Warren.

Becoming a CACFP Provider

The following guidelines have been established for becoming a CACFP provider:

  • Maintain a current certificate of compliance for child care centers, family and/or group child care homes or a ELRC agreement if a relative provider
  • Complete an agreement with sponsoring organization
  • Accurately keep required daily records: menus, meals counts, and attendance records
  • Enrollment documentation for all children in care
  • Inform sponsor of children added/dropped from the enrollment
  • Attend training sessions as required by the Sponsor and/or PDE
  • Allow representatives from PDE, USDA, and/or the Sponsor into the home to review the CACFP operations. Agree to on-site visits from sponsor at least three times a year; two will be unannounced
  • Prepare/serve meals that meet CACFP requirements.  Provider may not claim more than three meals per child per day; at least one meal must be a snack
  • Contact sponsoring organization when enrolled day care children are absent or when the facility is closed
  • Serve meals to all enrolled children without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability
  • Not charge separately for meals nor assess a separate fee related to meal service

Receiving Provider Reimbursement

CACFP providers receive reimbursement for meals that meet the USDA guidelines established by the USDA.  The requirements include the following:

  • Keep daily records of meals and children served
  • Claim only meals that meet the CACFP Meal Pattern Requirement
  • Claim only children served the meal
  • Claim meals for own child/children (if eligible)
  • Submit monthly paperwork
  • Permit the CACFP sponsor to visit your home to review meal service
  • Comply with the rules set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)

The USDA website offers providers a variety of resources and publications that assist with meal planning and nutrition education.

USDA Non-discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,  national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should
contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the  complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax:  (202) 690-7442; or
  3. E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.