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.”
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).
This Instruction clarifies two issues concerning the staff-child ratios established for child care centers and outside-school-hours care centers in the CACFP regulations (226.6(d)(2)): (1) Are staff-child ratios based on actual attendance or on enrollment; and (2) When children from various age groups are in attendance, how is the necessary minimum number of staff members determined?
Section 226.15(e) of the current regulations requires institutions to establish procedures to collect and maintain necessary program records.
This Instruction sets forth the policy concerning recycling of milk and other meal components.
This Instruction prohibits the denial of meals and milk as a disciplinary action against any child who is enrolled in a school participating in the child nutrition programs. Such denial of meals or milk is inconsistent with Section 2 and 9 of the National School Lunch Act and Sections 2,3, and 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
This Instruction provides clarification of the appropriateness of using program funds for child care standards compliance. Section 226.4(a) of program regulations provides that "FNS shall make funds available to each state agency to reimburse Institutions for their costs in connection with food service operations, including administrative expenses .... "It is Incumbent upon Institutions to use program payments only for costs Incurred In operating and administering the program.