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Mealtimes have you singing the blues?

Joining Cool Kids Food Program will be music to your ears!

Food Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 


What is the CACFP?

 

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a governmental nutrition program designed to ensure that children in day care homes and centers receive good, healthy food each day.

The CACFP reimburses licensed day care centers, licensed and registered day care providers for a portion of the meals and snacks they serve each day. The CACFP is a federally funded program operated through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

In Texas, the program is administered through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). TDA uses non-profit organizations called "Sponsors" to work directly with day care providers and centers.

 

Is it worth my time?


By feeding children according to USDA standards, participating providers are eligible to receive a monthly reimbursement to assist in covering the expenses of the day care food cost.

Good nutrition pays!


Day Care Homes


In 1997, Congress created two different meal reimbursement rate levels called Tier I and Tier II for day care homes. This was done to ensure that appropriate funds were available for those providers and children in most need of the program. A licensed or registered day care home must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization to participate in the CACFP. Day care homes must be licensed or registered by the State of Texas. Reimbursement for meals served in day care homes is based upon eligibility for Tier I rates (which targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or lower Tier II rates.

 

Day Care Centers


Day care centers may participate in the CACFP on their own but many have found that having a sponsor such as us alleviates the burdensome paperwork. Day care centers must be licensed to participate. Reimbursement for meals are based on a blended rate with at least 25% of the children on free or reduced meals depending on household income if you are a For-Profit Center. Non-Profit Centers automatically qualify for reimbursement but are still paid based on a blended rate of children on free or reduced meals. 


Are food programs sponsors all the same?


All CACFP food sponsors are not the same! Although all food sponsors must follow specific government rules and regulations, they can vary in many ways.

Attendance and meal record keeping will vary among sponsors.

The speed of meal reimbursements can make a big difference when you depend on that money to see you through the month. Some sponsors can take as long as 6 weeks to mail your reimbursement.

Some sponsors provide annual training opportunities while others do not.

Most importantly, management and staff make a big difference when you are choosing a sponsor.

Choosing your sponsor is one of the most important decisions you will make in the CACFP.

Why choose Cool Kids?


What makes us different is our staff. Not only are we certified trainers, but we have a combined history of more than 45 years as child care providers. We understand your business and what it takes to be a successful.

We are not the largest sponsor in Texas, nor do we want to be! We limit the number of centers we serve so that we can better serve you.

 

Online Claiming


Cool Kids uses the on-line program Minute Menu CX for daycare centers. Minute Menu is designed to radically reduce the amount of time you spend managing Food Program claim information, while giving you user-friendly tools to help you stay in compliance with federal and state regulations.

 

Minute Menu CX substantially simplifies the process of keeping and sending accurate records to your sponsor. Built using the same expertise and innovation that has led Sponsors of over 100,000 family child care providers to use Minute Menu HX, Minute Menu CX for Centers is a complete automation package for Food Program participants.

 

Our goal in everything we do is to support providers and make it easier for you to do your job. Our promises are simple...

-- Fast reimbursement that will be delivered in 2-3 weeks.

--  clock hour training annually


-- Courteous and respectful management and monitor visits. We promise that you will always be treated considerately and with high regard.

 

-- Networking and business opportunities to keep your day care running at full capacity.

How do I join?

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Choosing your sponsor is one of the most important decisions you will make in the CACFP. The choice is easy -- call or email Cool Kids today!
In Houston: (281) 537-6297
Outside of Houston: 1-866-475-1550 (toll free)

email: coolkidstraining@aol.com

 

Or Click Here

 

 

 

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