SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the availability of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a federally-funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is administered by ISBE.

“ISBE is very proud to help administer this federal program once again,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A Koch. “As many studies show, proper nutrition is essential for children so they can be ready to learn. A healthy start will lead them to success in school so they can be prepared for success in college and careers.”

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) are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs, or foster care children that are legal responsibilities of the State or court, are also allowed to receive free meal benefits at approved Head Start facilities. Parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider to find out if they participate in this program. A list of participating Illinois institutions is available on the ISBE Nutrition Programs Interactive Map at http://webprod1.isbe.net/NutSvc/.

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). For any other information dealing with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Number at (800) 221-5689, which is also in Spanish, or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers. Go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm for a listing of hotline numbers by state). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.