Resources

Nutrition Programs


Child and Adult Care Food Program—New Institutions Wanting to Apply

Welcome! We encourage you to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Your institution may qualify to receive reimbursement to provide nutritious meals and snacks to the children in your care.

bullet Who May Participate?

CACFP offers reimbursement to many different types of programs.

  • Public Entity
  • Private Non-Profit—A federal tax-exempt status letter, e.g., Federal Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Treasury, 501(c)(3) document, is required
  • Private for-Profit Organizations.
  • Private for-profit institutions are eligible when they receive subsidized childcare payments for at least 25 percent of their Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) license capacity OR 25 percent of their total enrollment, whichever is less. Institutions may also use free/reduced-price applications to meet the 25 percent eligibility.
bullet What Programs Are Offered?

Review the fact sheets to ensure your institution meets program requirements before attending the mandatory CACFP Orientation for New Institution Training session.

Fact Sheets


bullet When May I Apply?

You may apply to participate in the CACFP program at any time during the year.

bullet How Do I Apply?

There are five phases to the application process:

Phase 1—Attend a mandatory CACFP Orientation for New Institutions training where you will gain knowledge on CACFP daily operations, policies and procedures, and receive forms and documents for the application process.

bullet How Do I Register for the Training?

Staff that should attend the training includes the owner of for-profit institutions or principal/key individuals of non-profit institutions responsible for the overall administration of the food program and an individual responsible for daily administrative activities should attend the training. Two people from an institution may register to attend.

CACFP Orientation for New Institutions

bullet How Long is My Training Certificate Valid?

Upon completion of the training, you will receive a certificate that is valid for 12 months. Apply for participation in the program prior to your certificate’s expiration date; otherwise, you must attend the CACFP Orientation for New Institutions training again.

bullet How Do I Complete My Application?

Phase 2—Complete the application packet received at the training or complete online documents, print two copies, keep one copy for your files, and mail the original to the Illinois State Board of Education.

bullet After Completing the Application, What is the Next Step?

Phase 3—Establish and implement the necessary Child and Adult Care Food Program procedures discussed at the CACFP Orientation for New Institutions training.

bullet What is a Pre-Operational Visit?

Phase 4—Once your paper application packet is reviewed and considered complete by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), you will receive a Pre-Operational Visit Request Form. Complete and fax this document back to ISBE when you have ALL your CACFP procedures in place. An ISBE monitor will then call to schedule an appointment for your on-site Pre-Operational Visit. You have two attempts to pass the Pre-Operational Visit.

bullet What is the Last Phase of the Application?

Phase 5—After completing the Pre-Operational Visit successfully, and given an approval date, you will be notified to complete the electronic CACFP application on the Internet.

bullet When Can I Start Receiving Reimbursement?

When all electronic documents show as approved, you may submit a claim for reimbursement and your institution will then be able to receive reimbursement for providing nutritious meals and/or snacks to the children in your care.

Thank you for your interest in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

New Institution Application Documents