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Health Happenings Article

Health Happenings is a biweekly column published in Alamogordo Daily News as a way to provide the latest in health and wellness information, services and events. Articles for this column are submitted by Health Council partners, but do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Otero County Community Health Council.

 

WHAT IS THE CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)? (published May 2, 2010)

By Dianna Martin

 

The CACFP program is federally funded by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Child Nutrition Program.  This program provides CASH reimbursement to home day care providers who care for children in their homes.  This reimbursement is for nutritious meals served to children by the provider.  The CACFP is a nutrition program that teaches children good nutrition habits for life.  When children learn good eating habits they will follow these habits into adulthood.

HOW DO I GET STARTED
 All you have to do is call 575-434-9588 or 1-866-434-9588 and ask about how to CASH  reimbursement today.

 
 WHAT KIND OF MEALS MY BE SERVED?
 The meals must meet USDA standards for nutrition and quality.  Good nutrition during the early years of a child's life is extremely important, not only for the growth and development, but also for the formation of the brain.  A nutritious diet is crucial to ensure normal growth, development, and learning.  The child care provider needs to serve a variety of food everyday to help ensure the most of the nutrients needed for physical growth and development are available.

     WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM?

• Anyone who cares for non-resident child or children in their home and provides them with meals and snacks.
• Child care providers must be at least 18 years of age.
• Children for birth through their 13th birthday qualify.

 HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM THE CACFP PROGRAM? 
You will receive a cash reimbursement that will help supplement the cost of food you purchase for the children you care for.

 HOW DOES A PROVIDER RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT?

• There are USDA nutrition requirements and other simple health and safety guidelines a provider must follow in order to qualify for this will be explained in complete detail upon initial contact.
• You must keep a daily record of what foods you serve the children at each meal and a record of the children's attendance.  All of these forms will be provided to you.  These forms must be turned in to our office by the 3rd of each month and you will receive your check at the end of the month.
• In accordance with Federal Regulation, the Tier-I Tier II method of reimbursement was implemented on July 1, 1997.  Tiers are determined by either  areas or income eligibility. 
• You may be reimbursed for two main meals and one snack or two snack and one main meal, per child per day, depending on the hours that parents are working or going to school. If you family is income eligible, you may claim your own children when at lease one enrolled non-resident child is present and being claimed at the same meal service.

CASH REIMBURSEMENTS do not affect AFDC, Social Security, Unemployment, Food Stamps, which the home child care provider or a member of  his/hers family may be receiving.
 GOAL
 The goal of the Child & Adult Care Food Program is to ensure that our children in Child Care Homes are receiving the best nutritional meals in a healthy and safe environment.  With this goal in mind, the Child & Adult Care Food Program will give you a CASH reimbursement up to three meals  per child per day.  This depends on the hours that parents are working or going to school.
 CHINS CACFP program participants are required to obtain 6 clock hours of training per year.
 Provider Training on topics in the seven competency areas:

• - Health, Safety & Nutrition
• - Family and Community Collaboration
• - Developmentally Appropriate content
• - Professionalism
• - Child Growth,Development and Learning
• - Assessment of Children and Programs
• - Learning Environment and Curriculum Implementation

   CHINS is the Sponsoring agency for the Regional Early Care & Education Conference

   CHINS CACFP program staff members make home visitations to provide training and technical assistance  and to check for program compliance.  CACFP program staff members offer workshop for child care providers to train them in necessary procedures for participating in the Child & Adult Care Food Program.
   CHINS offers the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to family child care providers.   When you have children in your care, we hope that you will consider enrolling in this program.  We serve Lincoln and Otero Counties since 1989.

THE CHILD CARE FOOD PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX OR HANDICAP.  ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN A PARTICIPATING HOME WILL BE OFFERED THE SAME MEALS WITHOUT PHYSICAL SEGREGATION OR ANY DISCRIMINATORY ACTION AGAINST THEM BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, HANDICAP OR THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.
  

WE ARE LOCATED AT :

CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES
501 24TH ST
ALAMOGORDO  NM  88310
575-434-9588 OR TOLL FREE 1-866-434-9588