Release:
Georgia’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) available for
Eligible and Approved Facilities
Program reimburses approved facilities for providing nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in care.
Child Care, Adult Care, Head Start, Emergency Shelters across the State may be eligible.
Atlanta, Ga., (October 22, 2020) –The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) today announced the agency is seeking applications from eligible child and adult care facilities who are interested in participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); a federally funded U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that reimburses eligible institutions for serving healthy, affordable meals to children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursement for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in day care facilities.
DECAL’s Director of Nutrition Services, Tamika Boone, stressed how critical it is to recruit more institutions and facilities across the State to participate in the program, especially in light of the public health emergency. “Many children and adults depend on care centers to serve meals that will meet their daily nutritional needs. The CACFP ensures participating programs provide safe and flexible meal services according to the nutrition standards set by USDA, so that children and adults in care receive balanced, nutritional meals and snacks.” She added, “the program also plays a vital role in improving the quality of childcare and makes it more affordable for many families with low incomes.”
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. Approved or exempt institutions that offer a structured after-school programs with educational or enrichment activities may be eligible to participate in the At-Risk Afterschool 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 in a low-income area where 50% 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 at http://decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/EligibilityData.aspx.
To learn more about participating in the CACFP, contact Cindy Kicklighter at cindy.kicklighter@decal.ga.gov or 678-841-3170. To find a CACFP facility or sponsor, visit the DECAL website at http://www.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, 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. Additionally, 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: How to File a Complaint, 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; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
About Bright from the Start
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. For more information, go to www.decal.ga.gov.
