The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services section encourages eligible nonresidential licensed child-care centers, family day-care homes, emergency shelters, at-risk centers and some adult day care centers in Washington to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP reimburses some costs associated with serving meals to children and qualified adults. In Washington State, the CACFP has been administered by OSPI’s Child Nutrition Services since 1989.
The following care centers and institutions may participate in the CACFP:
- Nonresidential licensed public or private nonprofit child-care centers or family day-care homes.
- For-profit child-care institutions in which at least 25 percent of children served are low income based on the center’s licensed capacity or enrolled capacity, whichever is less.
- Child-care centers that serve at-risk children.
- Nonprofit emergency shelters that provide temporary residential facilities to children.
- Qualifying public or nonprofit adult centers, or for-profit adult centers that receive compensation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of their enrolled adults.
The federal food program reimburses meals at established rates based on the family income of the children and adults served. Meals served to eligible homeless and at-risk children are reimbursed at the free rate. The federal funds help institutions offset some of the costs of providing well-balanced, nutritious meals and snacks to enrolled participants.
Meals will be made available to enrolled participants at no separate charge.
The following monthly income eligibility guidelines determine reimbursement rates:
Household size / Free Lunch
1 / $1,276
2 / $1,762
3 / $2,177
4 / $2,628
5 / $3,078
6 / $3,529
7 / $3,980
8 / $4,430
For every additional family member, add $451.
Institutions may apply for the program by contacting Adele Roberts, Child Nutrition Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, Washington 98504-7200.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: 202-690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.
