SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education has announced the availability of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for fiscal year 2017 (July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017). CACFP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered annually by ISBE.

“This program has proven to be vital to many children and families around Illinois to ensure all students are getting the proper nutrition needed to excel,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “The agency is proud to help administer the CACFP once again.”  

The program is designed to primarily assist child care centers, Head Start programs, before- and after-school programs, emergency shelters, and day care home providers with funding to provide nutritious meals to children in their care. All participating child care centers and day care homes must provide meals to enrolled children at no additional charge.

Individuals in households that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court are also eligible to receive free meals. Parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider to find out if they participate in this program.

The USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines are listed for families that do not receive TANF or SNAP benefits. If a household’s income falls within or below the listed guidelines, a member of the household should contact their child care center or day care home provider to learn about benefits of the program. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF, or SNAP information.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA; its agencies, offices, and employees; and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide all of the information requested on the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by (1) mail to the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax at (202) 690-7442; or (3) email at program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For additional information at the Child and Adult Care Food Program, visit ISBE’s Nutrition and Wellness Program Division online at http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/child_adult.htm.​