This Instruction outlines the policy for food substitutions and other modifications in the meal patterns necessary to meet the dietary requirements of program participants with handicaps and with other special dietary needs.
As promised at the National Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program Conference in Baltimore, this memorandum provides a re-statement of the FNS policy regarding the definition of group and family day care homes in the CACFP.
This memorandum follows up on our Oct. 8, 1993 memorandum on day care homes and is intended to reaffirm the policy on rental homes. The memorandum did not specifically address this issue and as a result a number of questions have been asked.
It has come to our attention that several states are allowing child care conducted in buildings which are not private residences to be considered day care homes for purposes of CACFP. This memorandum clarifies our policy on the participation of group and family day care homes.
The purpose of this FNS Instruction is to provide guidance regarding the number of applications that must be reviewed by state agencies conducting verification of eligibility for free and reduced price meals under the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
CACFP has long been recognized for its nutritional goals of providing nutritious meals to children and helping them establish good eating habits at a young age. Family style meal service provides a further opportunity to enhance these goals by encouraging a pleasant eating environment that will support and promote mealtime as a learning experience.
Section 17(a) of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) previously allowed the participation of a proprietary Title XX child care center “if such organization receive[d] compensation under such title for at least 25 percent of the children for which the organization provides such nonresidential day care services.”
Section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA), as amended, permits the Secretary to authorize any state or regional office, where applicable, to reserve up to 1 percent of the funds earned in any fiscal year under both the National School Lunch Act and the CNA for special developmental projects.
This Instruction establishes CACFP policy governing the monthly reconciliation of claims submitted by family day care home providers to sponsoring organizations.
This Instruction establishes policy for temporary emergency residential care in family day care homes under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).