Food Programs

 Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for eligible meals that are served to participants who meet age and income requirements. Administrative payments are also provided for those agencies that sponsor the participation of day care homes.

All payments are based on annual rates established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program is administered by child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, family and group child care homes, and some emergency shelters and after school programs for at-risk children. All facilities that participate in the program must serve meals that meet USDA guidelines. Child care centers that participate in the program include licensed or approved non-residential facilities that are operated by public or private non-profit agencies.

For-profit child care centers may also participate if 25% of their enrollment or licensed capacity are beneficiaries of the Tennessee Child Care Certificate Program. Child care homes that participate in the program include licensed gropu or family home facilities. Child care homes must be administered by a sponsoring organization under contract with the Department of Human Services.

The sponsoring organization prepares monthly meal reimbursement claims and oversees the operations of the homes under its sponsorship. The sponsoring organization receives reimbursement for administrative expenses based on the number of homes it sponsors.

For information on application procedures, please call (615) 313-4749.

 Child and Adult Care Food Program Forms

 Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program provides administrative and operational payments to eligible agencies for serving meals to low income children. Eligible agencies included private nonprofit organizations, local governments, and state colleges and universities. All payments are based on annual rates established by the USDA. For information on application procedures, please call (615) 313-4749.

Child Care Services Information Locate Your Local Child Care Provider Child Care Resource & Referral Centers Child Care Complaint Hotline: 1-800-462-8261 Child Care Licensing: (615) 313-4778