Georgia’s Child and Adult Care Food Program Available to Eligible and Approved Facilities

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Child Care, Adult Care, Emergency Shelters, and After-School Programs 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 CACFP is a federally-funded U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition program available to child care centers, adult day care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters, and before- and after-school programs. The program reimburses approved facilities for nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in care. Qualifying eligibility data is available at decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/EligibilityData.aspx.

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 After-school component of the CACFP. This program reimburses institutions that serve nutritious after-school snacks and/or a supper 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.

Federal income guidelines determine a participant’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the CACFP. 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 Social Security Income (SSI) or are Medicaid participants are categorically eligible for free meals.

Sonja Adams, DECAL’s director of Provider Services for the Nutrition Division, stressed the importance of the program. “Access to healthy and well-balanced meals contribute to both child and adult wellness,” she said. “The CACFP provides child care facilities, adult care facilities, shelters, after-school programs and other eligible facility types with a powerful tool in combating childhood and senior hunger. It is extremely important that more eligible facilities participate in the program so that children and adults across the state have access to nutritious meals they may not get otherwise.”

To learn more about participating in the CACFP, contact Cindy Kicklighter at cindy.kicklighter@decal.ga.gov or at 404-656-3221.

To find a CACFP facility or sponsor, visit decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/Search.aspx. Use the search function (ZIP code or county) for 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, or American Sign Language) 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 also 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) 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 of the information requested in 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

By fax: 202-690-7442

By 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

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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 Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system. 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.

Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) is a public-private partnership created by the State of Georgia and investors from the private sector to assist communities in addressing the serious challenges facing children and families. GaFCP also serves as a resource to state agencies across Georgia that work to improve the conditions of children and families. Georgia KIDS COUNT provides policymakers and citizens with current data they need to make informed decisions regarding priorities, services, and resources that impact Georgia’s children, youth, families, and communities.