Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Partnerships with Families and Communities (2 points)

CACFP is a federal program, that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers and day care homes, as well as for meals/snacks served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children.

Participation in CACFP reinforces areas currently identified in Pennsylvania child care licensing regulations and QRIS standards related to wellness policies and practices of child care providers, and supports critical areas such as breastfeeding support, nutritional quality of meals and snacks served in CACFP, and environments that support physical activity.

Independent licensed child care site or Sponsoring Organization (Responsible for two or more licensed child care sites):

• Will be able to access from the Child Nutrition Program Electronic Application and Reimbursement System (CN PEARS) to provide Quality Coach with proof of approved status for the current program year.
• Will disclose results of Administrative Review to Quality Coach including Technical Assistance and Corrective Action Document to demonstrate and maintain compliance of CACFP Performance Standards. This may include CACFP sponsor being referred for Severe Deficiency. Quality Coach may contact PDE CACFP Program staff for status and/or resolution.
• Will provide Certificate of Completion for the CACFP Annual Sponsor training from the Child Nutrition Toolbox, and Civil Rights training certificate for all individuals interacting with program participants and children in care.
• Will make available planned menus and other required documentation for foods planned for infants’ and children’s meals and snacks that meet the CACFP meal pattern and nutrient requirements to the Quality Coach.

Centers: Site administered by Sponsoring Organization

• Will be able to provide Sponsor to sponsor agreement, Unaffiliated Center Food Agreement, or Unaffiliated Reimbursement Agreement

Home Day Care Sponsor: Administrator of residential child care program for children enrolled in a private home, licensed, or approved as a family or group day care home

• Will be able to access from the Child Nutrition Program Electronic Application and Reimbursement System (CN PEARS) to provide Quality Coach with proof of approved status for the current program year.
• Will disclose results of Administrative Review to Quality Coach including Technical Assistance and Corrective Action Document to demonstrate and maintain compliance of CACFP Performance Standards. Quality Coach may contact PDE CACFP Program staff for status and/or resolution.

Visit the CACFP page on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (education.pa.gov) website.