Federal meal assistance funds available
Child and Adult Care Food Program funds meals for children and eligible adults

OLYMPIA — September 30, 2009 - The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services section encourages eligible non-residential licensed child care centers, family day-care homes, homeless shelters, at-risk centers and some adult day care centers in Washington to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

The CACFP reimburses some costs associated with serving meals to children and qualified adults. In Washington state, the CACFP has been administered by OSPI’s Child Nutrition Services since 1989.

The following care centers and institutions may participate in the CACFP:

1. Nonprofit, licensed, tax-exempt child care institutions.
2. For-profit child care institutions in which at least 25 percent of children served are low income based on the centers licensed capacity or enrolled capacity, whichever is less.
3. Child care centers that serve at-risk children.
4. Nonprofit homeless shelters that provide temporary residential facilities to children.

Some public or nonprofit adult centers, or for-profit adult centers that receive compensation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of their enrolled adults, also are eligible for CACFP reimbursement.

The federal food program reimburses meals at established rates based on the family income of the children and adults served. Meals served to eligible homeless and at-risk children are reimbursed at the free rate. The federal funds help institutions offset some of the costs of providing well-balanced, nutritious meals and snacks to enrolled participants.

Meals will be made available to enrolled participants at no separate charge.

The following monthly income eligibility guidelines determine reimbursement rates:

USDA CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES
(Effective July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010)