The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements 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. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in the United States.
About CACFP
Child care homes and centers must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization in order to participate in CACFP. Chances And Services for Youth (CASY), is a sponsor in Indiana. Although federally funded, it is administered at the state level by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).
Participation Benefits
There is no cost to participate in the Child Care and Adult Care Food Program with CASY. Together, CASY and CACFP help child care providers in Indiana by offering monthly monetary reimbursement for the cost of the food they serve and training them in making the best nutritional choices possible when feeding children.
Monetary Reimbursement
You receive monthly monetary reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks to the children in care.
Nutrition Training
You receive nutrition training, including informational handouts about nutrition and healthy child development.
Online Claiming Software
Your monthly claim information will be documented with online claiming software. Click here to view the Kidcare accounting software.
Staff Support
You receive ongoing continuing education, support and technical assistance from CASY CACFP staff. Staff can be contacted at any time for assistance on any CACFP related topics.
Field Monitor Review
You are reviewed by a CASY Food Program monitor a minimum of three times a year. This is to ensure that each child is being served nutritious meals and/or snacks, monitor compliance with CACFP regulations, and provide you nutrition training. These reviews are an opportunity to ask questions and receive one-on-one assistance.
CACFP Resources
CACFP Claiming and Reimbursement Information
CASY CACFP uses Minute Menu KidKare as our claiming system. With Minute Menu KidKare, a child care provider documents claim information and enrollment online. Minute Menu KidKare reduces time spent on claim documentation as well as reducing claim errors and dis-allowances. Minute Menu KidKare also maintains several of the required CACFP records online which decreases the amount of paper files to maintain for your CACFP facility. Monthly CACFP reimbursement dates are immediately sent out to CASY CACFP providers through Minute Menu KidKare broadcast messages.
View CACFP Reimbursement Rates
View CACFP Income Guidelines
CACFP FY Training Information and Resources
Listed below are Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) online courses accepted by CASY Food Program for food program hours. The trainings are available at https://theicn.org/cacfp/. See individual training links below. Note: Other ICN online trainings will not be accepted for food program related training hours.
Child and Adult Meal Pattern Requirements
Infant Meal Pattern Requirements
Optional Best Practices
CARE Connection – Planning Cylce Menus in Child Care
CARE Connection – Planning Snacks as an Educational Activity
CARE Connection – Serving Nutritious Foods in Child Care
Family Child Care FUNdmentals
Food Safety in Child Care
Additional Health and Nutrition Resources
Contact CASY Food Program Director for approved Institute of Child Nutrition online trainings. Unapproved trainings will not be accepted for Food Program related training hours.
ICN’s research-based education and training resources are designed to support CACFP professionals in successfully implementing the program’s requirements.
Contact CASY Food Program Director for approved Institute of Child Nutrition online trainings. Unapproved trainings will not be accepted for Food Program related training hours.
Better Kid Care’s On Demand Distance Education system provides professional development online anytime you are ready to learn!
ServSafe Food Handler Online Training information and options.
Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
- fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email: [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
