Smart Funding - How CACFP Can Feed Kids and Fuel Your Budget

"Smart Funding: How CACFP Can Feed Kids and Fuel Your Budget," hosted by IntelliKid Systems Academy with Cindy Vian. 

What is CACFP?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a game-changer for childcare businesses. It provides funding to help centers offer nutritious meals to the children in their care, which directly improves academic performance and child development.

Why CACFP is a Must for Your Center

Proper nutrition is crucial for child development and academic success. CACFP not only helps provide high-quality meals but also enhances your center's financial stability. By participating in CACFP, you can turn nutritional goals into reality while boosting your budget.

Understanding CACFP

Key Benefits:

• Nutritional Support: CACFP provides funding to help childcare centers offer healthy meals and snacks to children, which is crucial for their growth and development.

• Improved Academic Performance: Proper nutrition is linked to better focus, improved test scores, and enhanced behavior in the classroom.

• Financial Benefits: Participation in CACFP can significantly boost your budget, making it easier to manage meal costs.

Program Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Who CACFP Serves: Infants, toddlers, children, school-aged children, and adults in care settings.

• Center Qualifications: Both not-for-profit and for-profit centers can qualify, though for-profit centers must meet a minimum of 25% of capacity or enrollment at the free or reduced-price level.

• Meal Pattern Requirements: Adherence to USDA meal pattern requirements is essential to ensure all meals meet nutritional standards.

Getting Started

Enrollment Steps:

• Conduct an Enrollment Study: Determine the income eligibility of your enrolled children using the same Income Eligibility Form as the School Lunch Program.

• Locate Your State Agency: Centers can contract directly with their state agency or a sponsoring organization like the National CACFP Sponsors Association.

• Initial Training and Pre-Approval Site Visit: Prepare for an initial training session and a pre-approval visit from your state agency or sponsor.

• Resources and Support: Utilize available resources and support systems to ensure smooth implementation and compliance.

Webinar Highlights

Practical Insights:

• Operational Transformation: Cindy Vian shared strategies for translating complex regulations into practical solutions, helping your center achieve operational efficiency.

• Financial Projections: Examples of how different levels of CACFP participation can impact your center’s finances, demonstrating potential monthly and annual revenue boosts.

Our Speaker

Cindy Vian is a dedicated professional in early education and childcare, bringing a wealth of knowledge in regulatory compliance. She has a remarkable track record of driving operational transformation and achieving significant corporate revenue growth through improved sales and marketing efficiency. Currently serving as Vice President of North American Operations for 1Place Childcare software, Cindy helps early education brands optimize efficiency and quality assurance initiatives.

Watch webinar HERE.