Child and Adult Care Food ProgramFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTheChild and Adult Care Food Program(CACFP) is a type ofUnited StatesFederal assistanceprovided by theUnited States Department of Agriculture(USDA) toStatesin order to provide a daily subsidized food service for an estimated 3.3 million children and 120,000 elderly or mentally or physically impaired adults[1]in non-residential, day-care settings. It is a branch within the Policy and Program Development Division of theChild nutrition programs, along with the School Programs Branch, which runs theNational School Lunch Program.[2]The program is commonly referred to as theChild Care,Child Care Food,Adult Care, orAdult Care FoodProgram, and is often operating in conjunction with other child and adult day-care programs, such as theHead Start. Its federal identification number, orCFDA number, is 10.558.[2]Section 17 of theNational School Lunch Act, and USDepartment of Agricultureissues the program regulations under 7CFRpart 226.[3]Contents[hide] 1Program benefits 2Administration 3See also 4References 5External linksProgram benefits[edit]The programs benefits consist of nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, adult day care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, after-school at-risk programs, family and group day care homes, and homeless and emergency shelters. These centers and shelters can be public and private non-profit centers, proprietary organizations, schools, private homes, and elderly centers, among others, on condition that they all comply with Federal, State and local licensing and approval requirements.[2]Through CACFP, children and older adults gain access to "nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons."[1]Administration[edit]The U.S.Department of AgriculturesFood and Nutrition Service(FNS) administers the program throughgrants-in-aidto States. The program is administered within most States by its designated educational agency, such as New Yorks Education Department. In certain States, the program is administered by an alternate agency, such as the State department of health, family and/or social services. At the discretion of the States Governor, different agencies may administer the programs child-care and adult day-care components, such as Wildwood C.A.C.F.P in Colorado. In theState of Virginia, the program is directly administered by the Food and Nutrition Service Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (MARO).[2]Actual federal assistance provided to States and their designated agencies are in the form of cash reimbursement for meals served, and any other donation by the USDA to provide such meals. Program funds are provided to States through letters of credit issued under the FNS Agency Financial Management System. The States, in turn, use the funds to reimburse institutions for costs of actual operations (e.g. providing meals), as well as to support State administrative expenses. Generally, a States claim to cash reimbursement from the USDA is computed by first determining the number of meals served (by category and type), and multiplying the amount of service by a per-unit payment rate, also known as the reimbursement rate. The type of meal refers to the kind of meal service for which the institution seeks reimbursement, such as breakfasts, lunches, snacks, supplements, and dinners served. The category refers to the type of economic need of the child or adult to whom a meal is served, which can be categorized as paid, reduced price, or free meals.[2]Child-care, adult day-care, and outside-school-hours centers may charge a single fee to cover tuition, meals, and all other day care services to recoup certain costs, however the vast majority of these centers operate non-pricing (free) programs. Nevertheless, all institutions must determine the eligibility of children and adults enrolled at these centers (e.g. low-income, mentally or physically disabled, etc.) for free orreduced price mealsbecause such eligibility determinations affect the reimbursement rates for meals served to the participants. Homeless children residing at a participating homeless shelter are considered categorically eligible for meals served by that shelter. After-school at-risk programs, emergency shelters, and family day care homes are prohibited from charging separately for meals.[2]