The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program in the United States that provides financial assistance to child care providers, schools, and other organizations offering nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults in their care. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), CACFP plays a crucial role in promoting the #health-and well-being of individuals in child care settings, adult day care centers, after-school programs, and #emergency shelters.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) exists to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations. This program was established with several key objectives in mind:
Promoting Nutrition:
- CACFP aims to improve the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served to individuals in participating care settings. By establishing specific nutrition standards, the program encourages the provision of well-balanced and wholesome foods that contribute to overall #health-and well-being. Participating providers must adhere to specific nutrition standards, ensuring that meals include appropriate servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. This focus on nutrition aims to promote #healthy-eating habits from an early age. Understanding the USDA MyPlate food guide is an important step. Check out ChildCareEd’s article: Childhood Nutrition to learn more.
Addressing Food Insecurity:
- CACFP plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity among children and adults in various care environments. By providing financial assistance to participating child care centers, family child care #homes, afterschool programs, and adult day care centers, CACFP helps ensure that nutritious meals are accessible to those who may face economic challenges.
Supporting Child Development:
Reducing Health Disparities:
- CACFP aims to reduce health disparities by ensuring that all participants in non-residential care settings have access to nutritious meals, regardless of their socio-economic background. This helps level the playing field and contributes to long-term health outcomes.
Fostering Good Eating Habits:
- By promoting nutritious meals and snacks, CACFP assists child care providers in instilling good eating habits in children at an early age. Exposure to healthy food choices and positive eating experiences contributes to the development of lifelong habits that can prevent diet-related health issues.
Enhancing Program Quality:
- For child care centers and family child care homes, participation in CACFP can contribute to the overall quality of their programs. Financial support allows providers to invest in better food options, educational resources, and improved facilities, creating a more enriching environment for participants.
Meeting Licensing and Regulatory Standards:
- Many licensing and regulatory standards for child care programs include requirements related to nutrition. CACFP assists providers in meeting these standards, contributing to the overall compliance and quality of child care services.
Key features of the Child and Adult Care Food Program include:
Financial Assistance:
- CACFP offers cash reimbursements to participating childcare providers and organizations to help offset the costs associated with serving nutritious meals and snacks. These reimbursements are based on the number of eligible meals served and comply with established nutrition standards.
Eligible Participants:
- CACFP serves various settings, including child care centers, family child care #homes, Head Start programs, after-school programs, adult day care centers, and emergency shelters. Eligible participants in these programs receive nutritious meals through CACFP.
Support for Low-Income Individuals:
- CACFP targets programs that primarily serve children and adults from low-income households. By providing financial assistance, the program helps ensure that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious meals, supporting their overall #health-and #development.
State Administration:
- While CACFP is a federal program, it is administered at the state level. State agencies, often within the Department of Education or a similar department, oversee the implementation of CACFP. These agencies establish guidelines, provide training, and monitor participating providers to ensure compliance.
Overall, the Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in ensuring that children and adults in various care settings receive the nutrition they need for optimal growth, development, and overall well-being. It aligns with the broader goals of promoting health, preventing hunger, and supporting the educational and #developmental needs of individuals in child care and adult care settings.
North Dakota Child Care CACFP Participation:
Participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in the state of North Dakota involves several steps. Here's a guide to help child care programs in North Dakota navigate the process:
Eligibility Requirements:
CACFP Eligible programs include:
- Nonresidential, licensed public or private, nonprofit child care centers
- Head Start, outside-school-hours programs, emergency shelters, and at-risk centers meeting the CACFP requirements are also eligible.
- Certain adult care centers providing services to persons 60 years or older, or persons 18 years or older that are chronically-impaired or disabled, are also eligible.
- For profit child care and adult care centers may participate if at least 25 percent of the participants in care are eligible for #free or reduced-price meals.
- Any licensed family child care homes, licensed group child care homes or self-declared child care homes provider who cares for at least one child is eligible to participate with a Family Child Care Home Sponsor (FCCH).
- Family child care homes and group child care homes must be in provider’s own residence, the private residence of another, or a rented or unoccupied private residence.
Contact North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI):
- The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) administers CACFP in the state. Contact NDDPI to obtain information about the program, application procedures, and any specific state guidelines.
Attend Training or Orientation Sessions:
- Participate in any required training or orientation sessions provided by NDDPI. These sessions will cover CACFP regulations, guidelines, and the application process. Training may include information on #menu-planning, nutrition standards, recordkeeping, and other program requirements.
Request and Complete Application Materials:
- Obtain the CACFP application materials from NDDPI. You may be able to download the forms from their website or request them directly from the department. Complete the application with accurate information about your child care program.
Develop a Menu that Meets Nutrition Standards:
- Design a menu that complies with CACFP nutrition standards. Ensure that your meals include appropriate servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. Familiarize yourself with the meal pattern requirements specified by CACFP.
Implement Recordkeeping Systems:
- Establish effective recordkeeping systems to document meals served, #attendance, and other necessary information. Accurate and timely recordkeeping is essential for demonstrating compliance with CACFP regulations.
Submit the Application:
- Submit your completed CACFP application to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Include all required documentation and ensure that your application is accurate and complete.
Participate in Monitoring Visits:
- Be prepared for monitoring visits from representatives of NDDPI or their designated agencies. During these visits, your program's compliance with CACFP regulations will be assessed. Use these visits as an opportunity to address any questions and demonstrate your commitment to program requirements.
Receive Approval:
- Upon successful completion of the application process and verification of compliance, your child care program will receive approval to participate in CACFP. This approval enables you to start receiving cash reimbursements for eligible meals served.
Implement CACFP Guidelines:
- Start implementing CACFP guidelines in your child care program. This involves serving nutritious meals that meet program standards, incorporating nutrition education, and maintaining ongoing compliance with program regulations.
Stay Informed and Seek Support:
- Stay informed about any updates or changes to CACFP regulations in North Dakota. Regularly check the NDDPI website for resources, updates, and additional support. If needed, reach out to NDDPI's Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Division for guidance.
Family Child Care Home Participation:
Any licensed family child care homes, licensed group child care homes or self-declared child care homes provider who cares for at least one child is eligible to participate with a Family Child Care Home Sponsor (FCCH)
Family Child Care Home Sponsors:
ABC Food Program
- 202 Peacekeeper PL
- Minot AFB, ND 58704-1701
- (701) 723-2604
- Minot Air Force Base Providers only
Heartland Child Nutrition, Inc.
- PO Box 1218, 521 E Main, Suite 420
- Bismarck, ND 58502
- Toll Free: (800) 366-6793 or (701) 250-0140 You will be directed to an area representative.
- Statewide
- Dorleen Wolbaum, Executive Director
SENDCAA
- 3233 S University Drive,
- Fargo, North Dakota 58104
- Toll Free: (800) 726-7960 or (701) 232-2452 You will be directed to an area representative.
- Eastern North Dakota
- Martha Moe, CACFP Coordinator
Get Started Today:
Enrollment in CACFP provides crucial financial support, offering cash reimbursements to offset the costs associated with providing nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children. This support not only eases the financial burden on child care providers but also enables them to invest in program enhancements and resources, ultimately enriching the learning environment. Furthermore, participation in CACFP ensures that children receive balanced and healthy meals, positively impacting their overall #health-and development. By instilling #healthy-eating habits at an early age, child care providers contribute to the long-term well-being of the children they serve. Additionally, CACFP compliance aligns with licensing standards, fostering regulatory adherence and supporting professional development opportunities. Overall, CACFP participation enhances the quality of child care, promotes health-conscious practices, and contributes to a thriving and well-nourished community of young learners.
Looking for information on child nutrition? ChildCareEd offers several courses that focus on #healthy-eating and child nutrition.
Courses & Classes related to North Dakota
Online Trainings
- 1,2,3, Eyes on Me: Classroom Safety
- 1-Hour Abuse and Neglect Training
- 45-Hour Coaching and Mentoring
- 45 hour Growth and Development Birth-age 12 ONLINE
- 45-Hour Infant and Toddler Curriculum
- 45-Hour Preschool Curriculum
- 45-Hour School Age Curriculum
- 45 Hours Director-Administration ONLINE
- 9 Hour Communication Course
- A Better Space for All
- Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting
- Access for All: Inclusion and the ADA
- ACEs and Resilience in Child Care
- A Closer Look into Developmental Theories
- Admin as Mentors in Early Education
- Administering Basic Health and Safety ONLINE
- Administration of Medicine
- A Great Place for Education Includes All ONLINE
- A Guide to Effective Communication
- Allergies and Medication in Childcare
- Anxiety: Signs & Strategies
- Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children
- A Thoughtful Approach to Children's Mental Health
- Autism Awareness in Child Care
- A Watchful Eye: Supervision in Early Childhood
- Baby Steps to Milestones ONLINE
- Balance Act: Teacher & Child ONLINE
- Balancing Act: Record Keeping & Supervision
- Balancing Act: Schedules and Routines
- Basics 101: Coaching & Mentoring
- Beautiful Junk: Using Recycled Materials in the Classroom
- Behind the Scenes: Baby Routines ONLINE
- Be Loud, No Bullying Allowed
- Brain Building
- Brain Injury Awareness in Young Children
- Bridging Intent and Response: Communication
- Brighter Futures: Social Emotional Development
- Building a Community of Families
- Building and Physical Premises Safety
- Building Early Science Foundations
- Building Equity: Inclusionary Practices in Preschool
- Business Planning: Family Child Care
- CDA: A Closer Look at Assessments
- CDA: Approaches to Learning
- CDA: Communication: Keep It Simple
- CDA: Creating the Outdoor Classroom
- CDA: Curriculum Alignment & Materials
- CDA: Essential Tools for Record Keeping
- CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Family Child Care Renewal
- CDA Home Visitor Credential Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requisites
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Benefits to Observing
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Brain Development and Gene Expression
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Classroom Setup
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Health and Safety
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Importance of Consistent Care
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Individualized Learning and Inclusion
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Lesson Planning Made Easy
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Smart Nutrition & Feeding
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Stages of Development
- CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Infant/Toddler: Parent Relationships
- CDA Infant/Toddler Renewal
- CDA Introduction
- CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Preschool Renewal
- CDA: Special Needs: Understanding the Whole Child
- CDA: Stand With Respect and Professionalism
- CDA Subject Area 1
- CDA Subject Area 2
- CDA Subject Area 3
- CDA Subject Area 4
- CDA Subject Area 5
- CDA Subject Area 6
- CDA Subject Area 7
- CDA Subject Area 8
- Character Development for Childcare Professionals
- Chef's in the Classroom
- Child Care Administration
- Childcare Management
- Child Care Orientation
- Childhood Obesity
- Children at the Wheel ONLINE
- Children's Keepers: Building Childhood Resilience
- Classroom Arrangement: The Second Teacher
- Classroom Designers ONLINE
- Classroom Management is Collaboration!
- Classroom Positivity
- Classroom Setup for Child Care
- Classroom Tools for Emergent Literacy
- Coaching and Mentoring Techniques
- Coaching/Mentoring DEI
- Collaboration for the Win
- Communication in Coaching and Mentoring
- Community and Family Engagement in Childcare
- Community Partnerships
- Conduct Disorders in Early Childhood
- Confidentiality Is a Must!
- Coordinating with Community in Child Care
- Creating an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan
- Creating the Natural Outdoor Classroom
- Cultures in the Classroom
- Curriculum Planning
- DAP for Family Child Care
- DAP for Preschool
- Day 2 Day: Provider Responsibilities
- Designing Your School-Age Classroom ONLINE
- Developing a Successful Workshop
- Developing Program Tranquility
- Developmental Screening in Early Childhood
- Diverse Perspectives in Child Care
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Program Administration
- Early Learning with Infants and Toddlers
- ECE Programs Through History
- Effective Coaching & Mentoring in ECE
- Elijah's Law: Allergy Awareness Training
- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness- Online
- Emergent Learning & Development
- Engaging Indoor Activities for Inclement Weather
- Engaging Parents in the Montessori Toddler Classroom
- Enhancing Life and Development
- Enhancing STEM Education for Infants and Toddlers
- Enriching Education: Field Trips
- Ethical Responsibilities for Trainers
- Evaluating Performance
- Expect the Unexpected: Infants and Toddlers
- Family (or Parent) Conferencing: Developing Trust ONLINE
- FAS in Early Childhood
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Fragile X Syndrome in Young Children
- Getting on the Right Path to Teaching
- Going Head-to-Head with Challenging Behavior
- Grow with Me: Child Development for Mixed Ages
- Guiding School-Aged Children
- Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials
- Healing Young Hearts: Stress and Grief
- Health and Nutrition
- Health and Safety Orientation
- Health & Safety Requirements for Childcare Providers
- Healthy Habits from the Start
- Heart-to-Heart Communication: Challenging Behaviors
- Hemophilia in Young Children
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Depression in Young Children
- How Preschoolers Develop
- How To Keep A Healthy Class for Infants/Toddlers
- How To Keep A Healthy Class: Six Tips for Germ Control
- How to Manage Chronic Illness with Infants/Toddlers
- Identifying ADHD in Child Care
- IEPs and IFSPs in Family Child Care
- Illness, Medication, and Allergies in Child Care
- Implementing the Montessori Curriculum
- Inclusive Lessons for Preschoolers
- Inclusive Montessori: Supporting Diverse Learners in the Classroom
- Individual Needs & IEPs for School Age
- Injury Prevention: Their Safety Is In Your Hands
- Intentional Safety for Infants/Toddlers
- Introduction to Coaching & Mentoring
- Intro to Cerebral Palsy
- Intro to Montessori: Philosophy, Principles, and Practices
- It's All About the Timing
- Keeping Them Safe: Infants & Toddlers
- Key Elements of an After School Age Program ONLINE
- Leadership Through Mentorship
- Lesson Planning for Preschoolers
- Lesson Planning to Meet School Age Needs
- Let’s Talk: Effective Communication
- Letter & Number Planning in Child Care
- Mastering Observation Techniques in the Montessori Classroom
- Matchmaking for Mentors
- Math Foundations in Early Childhood
- Meaningful Lesson Planning for Infants/Toddlers
- Meeting Adult Learners' Needs
- Mental Health in Early Childhood
- Mentoring Professional Etiquette in Child Care
- Milestones: By Leaps & Bounds
- Mind's Medicine: Music in Early Childhood
- Montessori Assistant Training
- Montessori Essentials: Mixed-Age Mastery
- Montessori in Context: Decoding Educational Theories
- Montessori Unveiled: Demystifying the Method for Parents
- More than One Way to Look at it: Types of Early Childhood Education Programs
- Moving About the Classroom: Effective Transitions for Everyday
- Mysteries of Challenging Behavior Solved
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Care
- No Such Thing as Boring Math
- Observations And Goal Setting in Childcare
- Observing & Assessing in Child Care
- On My Plate: Children's Nutrition
- Open Ears: Listening in Child Care
- Open Heart, Open Art
- Opportunity for Growth: Emotional Development
- Ouch! Biting & Hitting Hurts
- Pillars of Health and Safety in Child Care
- Playful Spaces for Infants & Toddlers
- Playing with a Purpose: Infant/Toddler Lesson Planning
- Play, Learn, Grow Online Version
- Play Safe, Think Big: Literacy Through Play
- Positive Attention: Infants and Toddlers
- Positive Attention: Interactions & Supervision of Infants & Toddlers
- Potty Training Made Simple
- Power of Art: Bldg Self-Esteem & Positive Behavior for ALL Abilities ONLINE
- Preschool Assessments & Observations
- Presentation Strategies & Training Techniques
- Preventative Health and Safety
- Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Prevention of and Response to Allergic Reactions
- Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma
- Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices
- Professional Integrity in Child Care
- Professional Partnerships & Practices
- Project-Based Learning for Children
- Raising Peaceful Learners: The Montessori Advantage
- Resources: Building Blocks to Excellence
- Responding to Emergencies
- Roadmapping Preschool Curriculum
- Role of Play in Learning
- Rooted in History: Early Childhood
- Safeguarding Young Lives: A Comprehensive Guide to Child Care Safety
- Safe Sleep Training
- Safe Supervision in Child Care: Birth to School Age
- Self-Regulation & Change: Helping Children Cope
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Shifting Gears to Respect
- Shoo, Germs! Don't Bother Me!
- SMART Goals in Coaching & Mentoring
- Solutions NOT Punishments
- Spaces that Support Discovery
- Special Babies
- Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion
- Spicing Up the Classroom: Learning Centers
- Staff Supervision, Observation & Feedback
- Stay Alert! Steps to Emergency Prep Online Version
- Staying Positive: Guidance for Preschoolers
- Strength in Differences: Cultural Diversity
- Student Success: Expectations & Independence
- Success in Safety for Babies
- Super Special School Agers ONLINE
- Supervision with Intent for Admin
- Supporting Children's Independence
- Supporting Children with Hearing Loss
- Supporting Little Hearts: Divorce and Separation in the Child Care Setting
- Supporting School Age Development ONLINE
- Supporting Skill Development: Children with Special Needs
- Supporting Social Learning: Creating Classrooms that Care
- Tailoring Instruction to Children's Needs
- Teacher/Child Interactions in the School-Age Classroom
- Teacher Mentoring in ECE
- Teacher & Me Playtime
- Teachers, Assemble! Building Up Staff in Child Care
- Teach with Respect ONLINE
- Technology as a Classroom Tool
- The Balancing Act for Administrators: Managing Responsibilities
- The Best Promotion is Play
- The Ethical Code of Child Care
- The First Year: Feeding Infants
- The Foundations of Coaching & Mentoring
- The Montessori Assistant's Toolkit
- Theories on How I Grow
- Theory of Learning
- Theory of Mentoring and Coaching in Early Childhood
- The Prepared Environment: Montessori Class Design
- The Right Kind of Influence for Young Children
- The Super Hero in Us All
- Toddlers and Theories
- Tomorrow's Einsteins: Infant and Toddler Science
- Training Guide for Families from Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds
- Transportation Safety
- Typical & Atypical Development in ECE
- Understanding Developmental Disabilities
- Understanding Montessori's Approach to Child Development
- Understanding Print Knowledge in Preschool
- Understanding the Coach's Role
- Universal Language of Coaching & Mentoring
- Using AI Language Models for Trainers
- Using Toys to Support Learning
- Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light
- Watch Me Grow: School Age Development ONLINE
- Ways to Serve: Leadership
- Working Together: Teachers & Preschoolers
- Working With Mixed Age Groups
- Writing Training Goals & Objectives
- Writing Workshop Proposals & Assessments
- You're Not My Friend Anymore: Learning Conflict Resolution
In-person/blended trainings