Bright from the Start

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

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Becoming a CACFP Participant

Becoming a participant in USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as an independent center or a sponsoring organization.

Summary: Read about becoming a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Applies to: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Training, Renewal Training, CACFP Forms

Contents:
Becoming a CACFP Participant

Organizations may be private non-profit organizations, private for profit organizations or public non-profit organizations and must meet CACFP performance standards.

In addition to these requirements;

  • Private for profit adult care centers must have at least 25% of the adults enrolled receiving Title XIX funds (Medicaid)
  • Private for-profit child care centers must have at least 25% of the children receiving Title XX funds (child care subsidy) or have at least 25% of the children enrolled meet the income eligibility criteria for free or reduced price meals.
  • Option available is the At Risk After School Care Program. To qualify, the organization must be non-profit or meet the criteria listed above for private for profit centers and operate an after school program in a school zone where 50% of the students of at least one school qualifies for free or reduced price meals.

For additional information on participation, go to:

Nutrition > CACFP Applicant Information> Who can participate?

How to Apply to become a CACFP Participant

To become a CACFP participant under direct agreement with Bright from the Start, an eligible center must:

a. Attend 2-day Program Training and obtain an application; b. Submit a completed application and supporting documents to Bright from the Start; c. Operate the CACFP and maintain required documentation for at least one month; d. Have a satisfactory pre-operative visit performed;

Child or adult centers that wish to participate under the sponsorship of an approved Administrative Sponsor and family child care learning home providers, which are required to participate under a Family Child Care Learning Home (Day Care Home), can obtain a list of approved sponsors from list by using the "Search for Nutrition Programs" on the Bright from the Start homepage. Choose the Program type, and then select Sponsor Type and click Search. A list of Administrative and Family Child Care Learning Home Sponsors will populate. Sponsors will provide pre-approval training and application materials to participants.

For additional information on applying, go to:

Nutrition > CACFP Applicant Information> How to Apply?

Annual Training Registration and Information

Every CACFP participant must complete training annually. This training is required in order to continue or renew participation in the program. Annual training is typically conducted in the summer and deals with administrative and programmatic topics.

Information on CACFP annual training is typically sent via email directly to the Institution's Program Contact who is responsible for completing this training on line in GA ATLAS (formerly CNP 2000). Registration for this on line training also occurs on our Georgia ATLAS website.

For additional information on Training go to:

Nutrition > CACFP Applicant Information> Sponsor Training

Bright from the Start Responsibilities

Bright from the Start is responsible for the following:

  1. promoting the CACFP in Georgia;
  2. developing and delivering required training for participants and sponsors;
  3. receiving and processing applications;
  4. paying providers/sponsors for serving meals to eligible participants;
  5. reviewing sponsors, sites, and independent organizations;
  6. reporting information to USDA regarding CACFP operations.

For additional information on Bright from the Start responsibilities, go to:

Nutrition > CACFP Applicant Information> Bright from the Start Responsibilities

Claims for Reimbursement

CACFP providers are reimbursed based on the number of meals served to enrolled participants; the rate of reimbursement is based on the eligibility category of each participant enrolled in the program. Congress establishes the reimbursement rates each year.

Program providers submit claims monthly to Bright from the Start to report the number of children/adults enrolled in the center by category (i.e., free, reduced, paid) and the number of meals served. Family child care learning home providers are reimbursed on Tier I or II categories.

For additional information on claims, go to:

Nutrition > CACFP Applicant Information> How is the Provider Reimbursed?

Becoming a CACFP Administrative or Family Child Care Learning Home Sponsor

Private non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status with the IRS or public government entities currently providing services in their local communities can participate in the CACFP as an Administrative Sponsor or Family Child Care Learning Home Sponsor.

To become a CACFP Administrative or Family Child Care Learning Home Sponsor:

  • Organizations must submit a copy of their tax exempt documentation.
  • A letter of interest to the Program Manager that discusses their organization’s mission and the counties they will serve.
  • Once this documentation is received, a checklist used to determine the organization’s viability, capability, and program accountability will be sent to the institution to complete and return.
  • Once the checklist is returned and it is determined that the organization meets the performance standards outlined by CACFP regulations, training will be scheduled.
  • Trainings for new Administrative or Family Child Care Learning Home Sponsors are conducted on a per applicant basis.