Federal funds are available to help child and adult day care providers in Maryland serve nutritious, healthy meals to children and adults in their care. The program, which started in 1968, provided reimbursement for over 29 million meals and snacks served to Maryland residents in fiscal year 2008.
Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-sponsored Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), child care centers, adult day care centers, emergency shelters, and family child care providers throughout Maryland can receive cash reimbursement for meals and snacks. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administers the program in Maryland.
Licensed nonprofit and some for-profit child care centers are eligible. For-profit child care centers are eligible if they receive compensation under Title XX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of licensed capacity or number of children enrolled, whichever is less, or if 25 percent of licensed capacity or number of children enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Licensed or registered family child care home providers may also participate in the CACFP through an approved family child care sponsoring organization. Seven approved sponsors are available to work with family child care providers across Maryland.
Adult day care centers can also qualify. Eligible centers include public or private nonprofit centers that provide nonresidential adult day care to functionally impaired disabled adults. Also, private, for-profit adult day care centers may participate if 25 percent or more of the enrolled adults are Title XIX or Title XX beneficiaries.
All children and adults enrolled at participating centers, organizations, or family child care homes are offered the same meals at no charge regardless of race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin. There is no discrimination in admissions policy, meal service, or the use of facilities.
Reimbursement varies depending on the number of children or adults meeting USDA's income eligibility guidelines. Centers or providers may be reimbursed for up to two meals and one snack per participant each day. Emergency shelters may be reimbursed for up to three meals per child per day.
Child and adult care center providers interesting in participating in CACFP and those individuals who would like a list of centers already participating in the program should contact the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-0214.
Family Child Care Homes may contact the following sponsoring organizations for information:
|
Sponsoring Organization |
Phone Number |
|
Baltimore City Health Department |
410-396-4240 |
|
Cecil County Department of Social Services |
410-996-0173 |
|
Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. |
410-857-2999 |
|
Frederick County Department of Social Services |
301-600-2416 |
|
Montgomery County Public Schools |
301-840-8170 |
|
Prince George’s County Public Schools |
301-780-5810 |
|
The Planning Council |
1-800-410-9774 or
1-800-477-3993 |
Visit MSDE’s web site at www.eatsmartmaryland.org for information about the child nutrition programs administered by MSDE’s School and Community Nutrition Programs Branch.
In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, the Maryland State Department of Education is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Maryland State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. For inquiries related to Department policy please contact: Equity Assurance and Compliance Branch, Office of the State Superintendent, Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2595 - 410 767-0433 Voice - 410-767-0431 FAX - 410-333-6442 TTY/TDD.