Quality Rating 5: CACFP
Instructions
To meet the requirements for Administrative Policies and Practices: CACFP: ADM 3.5, you will submit documentation based on your participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
- If your program participates in CACFP, no documentation is required. You will submit this sub-category for review and your Program Coordinator will verify your participation.
- If your program is ineligible to participate or has chosen not to participate in CACFP, you will submit the Ineligible / Non-Participation Form.
Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP)
The Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) funds eligible child care centers, family child care homes, and after-school programs to provide nutritious meals and snacks. The meals and snacks a program provides must meet specific nutrition requirements to be eligible to participate in the program. In Maryland, the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Program.
What does the documentation look like?
The Maryland EXCELS team receives information from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) related to your program’s participation in CACFP. If your program participates in CACFP, you will submit this subcategory for review. Your Program Coordinator (PC) will then check and verify this information and rate the subcategory accordingly.
If your program is ineligible to participate in CACFP or you wish to opt out of the program, you may complete the Ineligibility / Non-Participation form.
Where can you learn more?
- Child and Adult Care Food Program The USDA website provides more information about the Child and Adult Care Food Program and includes participation requirements, resources, meal patterns, ideas and strategies.
- Maryland’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs administers many federally funded child nutrition program, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
