Child Care Center

Eligibility Requirements

Child Care Organizations

•  Provide non-residential care for children
•  Be licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS); exempt from licensing but with proper health and safety inspections; a Head Start center; or preschool funded by the Iowa Department of Education
•  Be a public; non-profit; or eligible for-profit organization (serve at least 25% low income children)
•  Operate an eligible preschool, child care center, outside school hours child care, At-Risk After School snack program or emergency shelter program

Emergency Shelters

• Provide residential care and food services to homeless children
• Be a public or private nonprofit institution
• Meet any health and safety codes as required by state or local law

At Risk After School Snack Program

• Be located in the attendance area of an elementary, middle, or public high school with least 50 percent of the enrolled children eligible for free or reduced price meals  
• Provide regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities
• If exempt from licensing, meet State or local health and safety requirements

Reimbursement

• Child Care Centers, preschools and outside school hours child care organizations are paid a subsidy
  • All participants are eligible for reimbursement.
  • Meals and snacks are reimbursed at three different rates (free, reduced-price and paid).
  • Reimbursement is paid for up to two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per child per day.
  • Reimbursement rates are based on the income level of participants and the number of meals and snacks served.
  • Current income applications must be on file to claim meals the higher (free and reduced-price) rates of reimbursement.
  • Click Nutrition Funding for current reimbursement rates (select CACFP).
• Outside School Hours Care Centers
  • Breakfasts and snacks may be claimed for reimbursement.
  • Lunches may be claimed only when school is not in session including weekends, holidays and school vacations or at schools without a lunch program.
• At Risk Meals Program
  • Meals and snacks must be served after the end of the school day, on vacation days or holidays during the school year only.
  • If the school has an extended day, the snack may be served before the end of the school day.
  • Up to one supper and one afternoon snack may be claimed per child per day.
  • If the Program is open on non-school days any one meal and one snack may be claimed per child per day.
  • All snacks are reimbursed at the highest (free) rate. 
  • Income applications are not required.
• Homeless and Emergency Shelters
  • Breakfast, lunch and supper or two of these meals and a snack may be claimed per participant per day.
  • All meals are reimbursed at the highest (free) rate.
  • Income applications are not required.
• All Programs
  • Meals served must follow CACFP meal pattern requirements.
  • Meals served to supervising adults, volunteers and visitors are not eligible for reimbursement.

Application Procedures

• Contact Cheryl Tolley at cheryl.tolley@iowa.gov or 515-681-2304 to request and application packet.
• Complete Iowa CACFP Steps to Success training modules that apply to your type of organization.
• Complete the preliminary application packet.
• Receive a pre-approval visit conducted by a State agency CACFP consultant.
• Complete an online application.

Memos and Updates

Memos and Updates have been moved to the CACFP Resources Google Website (permission required). To request access, contact Robin Holz or Cheryl Tolley.