Child and Adult Care Food Program Available to Eligible, Approved Facilities

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Child Care, Adult Care, Head Start, Emergency Shelters among Needed Participants

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is seeking eligible child and adult care facilities to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The program reimburses approved facilities such as child care centers, adult day care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters and before- and after-school programs for nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in care. The CACFP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Eligibility for the CACFP is determined by federal income guidelines. Children who receive benefits through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are automatically eligible to receive free meals through the CACFP. Adults who receive SNAP benefits, FDPIR benefits or who receive Social Security Income (SSI) or are Medicaid participants are categorically eligible for free meals.

Approved or exempt institutions that offer a structured after school program with educational or enrichment activities may be eligible to participate in the At-Risk/Afterschool component of the CACFP. This component reimburses institutions that serve nutritious after school snacks and a meal to children up to 18 years old in a structured environment after school hours. The after school program must be located in a low-income area where 50 percent or more of the children at the nearest school receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualifying eligibility data can be found on DECAL’s website.

Falita Flowers, DECAL’s director of Nutrition Services, stressed the need for more approved organizations to participate in the CACFP. “Nutritious meals are essential to the overall health and wellness of Georgia’s children and seniors,” she said. “DECAL continuously seeks eligible and qualified institutions to provide more children and adults access to healthy meals. While many understand the importance of ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals, there is also a great need to provide access to well-balanced meals to seniors in adult daycare facilities across the state.”

To learn more about participating in the CACFP, contact Shani Drake at shani.drake@decal.ga.gov or AT 404-656-3221. To find a CACFP facility or sponsor, visit the DECAL website. Use the search function (zip code or county) to find a list of all local facilities and sponsors, addresses, maps, contact names, and phone numbers.

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. 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 ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA, and provide in the letter all the information requested on the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  • mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  • fax:
    202-690-7442; or
  • email:
    program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org

Follow us on Twitter: @gafcpnews

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages the voluntary quality enhancement programs. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.