CACFP Requirements and Materials

Contact Information

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

360-725-6200
TTY: 360-664-3631

Staff Contacts

Materials to help with program applications, requirements, and record-keeping such as program forms, monitoring forms, special dietary needs requirements, and more!

Program Requirements Overview

CACFP Program Requirements Reference Sheet

CACFP Application and Renewal

Details

New applicants must follow the steps detailed on the New Sponsor webpage. For more information and to receive a new application by mail, please contact a program specialist that serves your area.

Programs wishing to continue to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must complete a renewal application packet every year. An OSPI Bulletin is issued yearly with accompanying instructions and attachments.

Resources

Administrative Reviews

Desk Review Training

This training helps sponsors get ready for the Administrative Reviews. All sponsors should review this training before submitting documents for their review.

Study Month

Institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program are required to submit current income-eligibility information based on a study month. Program reimbursement for each institution is based on the income levels of the families they serve. The study month establishes the percentages of the meals that will be paid at the free, reduced-price, and above scale rates.

Please review the CACFP Record Keeping Requirements Reference Sheet for information on document retention.

Review Month

Meal Count Records

Miscellaneous Records

Special Dietary Needs / Substitutions

Civil Rights

Appeals
Civil Rights
Financial Management

Tools

Reference Sheets

Resources

For-Profit Centers

For-profit (proprietary) institutions can participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) if 25% of the participants meet federal income requirements.

Child Care Institutions

Adult Care Institutions

Infant Meals
Meal Count Records
Serving 3-5 Year Olds in School District Settings

There are many different options when serving 3-5-year-olds in the school district. But which program should you operate? What considerations are there?​

The recorded webinar below discusses meal program options for preschool students, discover how district and program decision drives your program operations, data collection, and other programs. ​

Use these resources to help you get started with serving meals for preschool-aged children in school district settings.

Multi-Site Sponsors
Special Dietary Needs / Substitution Requests / Allergies
Study Months

Institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program are required to submit current income-eligibility information based on a study month. Program reimbursement for each institution is based on the income levels of the families they serve. The study month establishes the percentages of the meals that will be paid at the free, reduced-price, and above scale rates.

Please review the CACFP Record Keeping Requirements Reference Sheet for information on document retention.

Child Care Centers

English materials have been updated with the current USDA Nondiscrimination statement and are posted below. We are waiting to receive translated materials from USDA.

Adult Care Centers

English materials for have been updated with the current USDA Nondiscrimination statement and are posted below. We are waiting to receive translated materials from USDA.

Training

All sponsors must meet minimum training requirements to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Visit the CACFP Required Training webpage for details on how to participate in required training, as well as to view recorded program trainings.

Mandatory Trainings

  • Intro to CACFP- All NEW sponsors must participate in this workshop.
  • Annual Training- This training occurs yearly. Sign up for our CNS Updates to stay in the loop for more information!
  • Civil Rights- This training is an annual requirement for all CACFP sponsors and their employees.

Resources

Vending Meals
Additional Program Requirements

Promote Your Meal Program

Share WIC Information With Families

Washington WIC gives families access to nutritious food and provides health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health and social services referrals. The program provides essential services for pregnant people, new and breastfeeding moms, infants, and children under five. Most pregnant people and young children on Medicaid or Basic Food (SNAP) qualify for WIC services.