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.
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.
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
- At-Risk After-School Snack/Supper Program
- Child Care Centers, Head Start, and School-Sponsored Pre-K Programs
- Outside-School-Hours Child Care Program
- Shelters Providing Assistance to Homeless Children
When May I Apply?
You may apply to participate in the CACFP program at any time during the year.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
