Child and Adult Care Food Program (10.558)
Program
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Food and Nutrition Service
Authorization
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended, Sections 9, 11, 14, 16 and 17, as amended, 89 Stat. 522-525, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1759a, 1762a, 1765 and 1766.
Program Number
10.558
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist States, through grants-in-aid and other means, to initiate and maintain nonprofit food service programs for children and elderly or impaired adults enrolled in nonresidential day care facilities, children attending afterschool care programs in low-income areas, and children residing in emergency shelters.
Types of Assistance
FORMULA GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds are made available for disbursement to eligible institutions to reimburse their costs in providing meals and snacks to children and adults enrolled in nonresidential day care, children attending afterschool care programs, and children residing in emergency shelters. Disbursement is made on the basis of the number of breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and snacks served, using annually adjusted reimbursement rates specified by law. The program allows reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack served each day to children through the age of 12, children of migrant workers through the age of 15, and persons with disabilities, in child care centers and day care homes. Adult day care centers receive reimbursement for up to three meals served each day to enrolled adults who are functionally impaired or 60 and older. The program also provides reimbursement to emergency shelters for up to three meals served to residents through age 18. In at-risk afterschool care programs, reimbursement is available for one snack served each day to children through age 18. Reimbursement may also be available for one additional meal in afterschool care programs in eligible states. All program meals must meet minimum requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funds are also paid to participating State agencies for administrative expenses related to program staffing and oversight.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The State or U.S. Territory agency applies for and signs an agreement to receive Federal funds for disbursement. Where the State does not currently administer the program, an applicant institution may sign an agreement and receive funds directly from USDA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Approved institutions providing nonresidential day care services may participate in the program. Eligible public and nonprofit private organizations may include day care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, settlement houses, family and group day care homes, Head Start programs, and institutions providing day care services to children with disabilities. Private for-profit centers may also participate if at least 25 percent of the children in care (enrolled or licensed capacity, whichever is less) are eligible for free or reduced price school meals or receive benefits under Title XX (of the Social Security Act). Also eligible for participation are nonprofit centers which provide nonresidential adult day care, and private for-profit centers if the center receives compensation under Title XIX (of the Social Security Act) or Title XX, and at least 25 percent of the adults enrolled in the center receive benefits under Title XIX, Title XX, or a combination of both. Emergency shelters which provide shelter and meals to children experiencing homelessness, and at-risk afterschool care programs in low-income areas are also eligible. Any eligible institution may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program upon request with State agency approval.
Credentials/Documentation
The allowability of costs incurred by States in administering the program will be determined in accordance with USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR Parts 3016 and 3019). Applicants that are not public or proprietary institutions must furnish evidence of tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process required by the State. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Institutions apply to the responsible State agency. Where the State does not administer the program, the application is submitted to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional Office. This program is subject to the provisions of USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR Parts 3016 and 3019).
Award Procedure
When the application is approved, the institution signs an agreement with the administering agency.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not Applicable.
Appeals
The administering agency must provide a hearing procedure for local institution grievances.
Renewals
Not less frequently than every three years.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Program funds are provided to the States through letters of credit to reimburse institutions for costs of food service operations, including administrative expenses. Appropriate rates of reimbursement, multiplied by the number of meals served to enrolled participants, represent the basic program payment that an institution receives for each meal served. The assigned rates of reimbursement are adjusted annually on July 1. For child care centers, adult day care centers, emergency shelters, and at-risk afterschool care programs, the annual adjustment reflects changes in the Food Away from Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. For day care homes, the adjustment reflects changes in the Food at Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Donated foods or cash in lieu of donated foods are also made available. Program payments to child care or adult day care centers depend on the number and types of meals served to enrolled participants, multiplied by the appropriate rate of reimbursement. Rates for meals served to enrolled children and eligible adults in day care centers are determined by the participants' eligibility for free, reduced price, or paid meals using USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines. All resident children through age 18 in eligible emergency shelters receive free meals without application. At-risk afterschool care programs, which must be located in low-income areas, are reimbursed at the free rate for all snacks--and meals in eligible States--served to children through age 18. Sponsoring organizations of day care homes are reimbursed at a gradational administrative rate based on the number of homes they operate. The level of reimbursement for meals served to enrolled children in day care homes is determined by economic need based on either the location of the day care home, the income of the day care provider, or the income of an individual child's household. Meals served in day care homes to the provider's own children are reimbursable only if those children are determined eligible for free and reduced price meals, and at least one other nonresident child is participating in the meal service. The reimbursement for food service is passed on by the sponsoring organization to the day care facility.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
For the period covered by the agreement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Institutions file monthly reports on program operations to claim reimbursement for meals served. They must submit final meal claims no later than 60 days after the claiming month. States must then submit final program reports to FNS no later than 90 days after the claiming month. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in OMB Circular No. A-133. For-profit institutions are subject to audit by their administering State agencies.
Records
Institutions must maintain full and accurate records of program operations for a period of 3 years after the end of the fiscal year to which they pertain. However, where there are unresolved audit findings, records must be retained until there is satisfactory resolution of all audit issues.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3539-0-1-605.
Obligations
(Salaries) FY 08 $139,715,100; FY 09 est $160,430,000; FY 10 est $162,818,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR Part 226 Regulations and the Child and Adult Care Food Program fact sheet are available at no charge. Administrative and nutrition guidance is available at no charge to program participants from the administering agency.
Related Programs
10.553 School Breakfast Program; 10.555 National School Lunch Program; 10.556 Special Milk Program for Children; 10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children; 93.600 Head Start
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Cynthia Long 3101 Park Center Drive Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Phone: 703-305-2590
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
