Child and Adult Care Food Program
Information for Homeless/Emergency Shelters
Thank you for contacting our office to inquire about the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). In the state of Indiana, the Department of Education, Division of School and Community Nutrition Programs, administers the program that is housed under the United States Department of Agriculture. In addition to the CACFP, our division also administers the National School Nutrition Programs, the Summer Food Service Program for Children, the Indiana Food Distribution Program, and the Nutritional Education and Training Program.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is available
for homeless and emergency shelters serving children
0 – 18
years of age. Organizations may receive assistance for up to
3 meals or 2 meals and 1 snack per child per day.
In this section of the web page, you will find materials to assist you in determining whether the Child and Adult Care Food Program is a viable option for your child care organization. The Estimating Reimbursement Worksheet will help you determine the approximate amount of reimbursement you could receive from participation in the CACFP. Please take the time to calculate your estimated reimbursement. The reimbursement you receive may not compensate for the time spent on the CACFP paperwork.
The Rates of Reimbursement and Income Guidelines should be used when calculating your estimated reimbursement. The Meal Pattern is enclosed to demonstrate what constitutes a creditable meal for the purpose of reimbursement from the CACFP.
Also, you will find a memorandum that contains a workshop registration form. Before becoming a CACFP sponsor we require that potential program participants attend a training session. In the training session, you will gain an understanding of the contract between your agency and the state of Indiana.You will also learn about the paperwork required in the administration of the program. At a minimum, shelters must maintain: (1) meal counts, identified by participant name and meal type at the time when the eligible participant receives a meal which meets the meal pattern requirements (point of service meal counts); (2) menus of meals for children ages 1through 12 and for infants; (3) infant feeding records for children ages 0 – 11 months; (4) attendance records; and (5) documentation of non-profit food service. Participating infants and children are considered eligible for free meal reimbursement without an individual Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals.
Additionally, please note the following documents must be submitted at the time of application, before approval for participation is granted:
1. A current copy of the center License from the Family and Social Services Administration or a completed Alternate Approval Form
2. A copy of tax-exempt status [501 (c)(3) Determination Letter] issued by the Internal Revenue Service or a Proprietary Certification Form (for-profit entities)
3. Delivery of Benefits Form
4. Pre-approval documentation (a copy of the last inspection report from licensing)
5. Pre-Award Compliance Review
6. Board of Director Listing
7. Form W-9
A Contract and Program Application must be executed between the sponsor and the Department of Education. The application process is complex; it is not just a checklist of items submitted to our office for review. The application includes a detailed management plan as to how the sponsor will operate the program, information on the organization’s governing board and administrative structure, and an administrative budget. In order for your organization to participate in the CACFP, the management plan and budget must demonstrate financial viability, administrative capability, and program accountability. USDA Standards to be met are the following:
- The sponsor can clearly demonstrate in its management plan that the organization and its principals have sufficient experience to ensure financial viability.
- The sponsor commands adequate resources to ensure the effective management of the CACFP. It must also command adequate outside resources to support its non-CACFP activities.
- The sponsor must be financially sound.
Thank you again for your interest in the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Indiana. If you have further questions or comments, please contact Carol Markle, Sponsor Support Coordinator; toll free at (800) 537-1142, or locally at (317) 232-0850.
Revised 02/05