General Questions About HCS & CACFP Sponsorship

Honorable CACFP Sponsorship Inc. provides sponsorship, administrative support, claims assistance, monitoring, training, technical assistance, and related CACFP program resources for eligible participating organizations.

This page provides answers to common general questions about HCS, CACFP participation, sponsorship, claims, monitoring, training, and provider support.

For questions specific to a particular site type, visit the applicable program FAQ page below.

About HCS

  • Honorable CACFP Sponsorship Inc. is a CACFP sponsoring organization that provides program administration, claims and reimbursement support, monitoring, training, technical assistance, recordkeeping guidance, budget and procurement support, and related program resources for eligible participating organizations.

  • HCS provides CACFP sponsorship and program support in Maryland and the District of Columbia within its approved service scope.

    Sponsorship availability may vary by site type, jurisdiction, and current HCS authorization.

  • HCS provides information and sponsorship support for eligible:

    • Child Care Centers

    • Family Child Care Homes

    • Emergency Shelters

    • At-Risk Afterschool Sites

    • Adult Care Centers & Facilities

    Availability may vary by jurisdiction.

  • No. Honorable CACFP Sponsorship Inc. and Allied Alacrity are separate organizations.

    HCS provides CACFP sponsorship and related program administration.

    Allied Alacrity provides separate professional services that may include CACFP consulting, training, business services, ServSafe instruction, exam proctoring, accounting, research, and other services.

Sponsorship

  • No.

    Organizations that currently participate in CACFP, previously participated, or are new to the program may contact HCS to discuss sponsorship and next steps.

  • No.

    Sponsorship depends on applicable CACFP eligibility, jurisdictional requirements, documentation, agency requirements, HCS program capacity, and other applicable conditions.

  • Yes.

    You may contact HCS to discuss your situation. Any change in sponsorship must follow applicable CACFP and jurisdictional requirements.

  • HCS is continuing to expand its Maryland sponsorship services.

    If sponsorship for your site type is not currently available, you may be able to join the HCS Maryland Sponsorship Interest List to request future contact.

    Joining the Interest List does not guarantee future eligibility, approval, enrollment, or sponsorship.

Claims & Reimbursements

  • Yes.

    HCS processes eligible CACFP claims for participating sponsored organizations in accordance with applicable program requirements.

  • No.

    Reimbursement depends on eligible and properly documented meals and snacks, applicable reimbursement rates, program type, participant or site classifications when relevant, and other CACFP requirements.

  • HCS may request clarification, corrections, or additional supporting documentation before a claim can be processed appropriately.

    Detailed claim procedures and provider-specific resources are available to active HCS-sponsored organizations through secure provider access.

Monitoring & Technical Assistance

  • Yes.

    Participating HCS-sponsored organizations are subject to required monitoring and program oversight.

  • Monitoring may include review of:

    • Meal service

    • Meal counts

    • Attendance or participation

    • Menus

    • Required records

    • Training

    • Claims documentation

    • Program procedures

    • Other applicable CACFP responsibilities

  • HCS may provide technical assistance, request additional information, require corrective action, provide supplemental training, or conduct follow-up review when appropriate.

    Detailed HCS monitoring procedures and provider resources are available through secure sponsored-site access.

Training & Resources

  • Yes.

    HCS provides required and supplemental CACFP training for participating sponsored organizations as applicable.

  • Yes.

    Additional or refresher training may be appropriate when new staff members assume CACFP responsibilities or when additional guidance would be beneficial.

  • Yes.

    Active HCS-sponsored organizations receive access to provider-specific training, forms, templates, procedures, instructional videos, and other resources through secure HCS systems.

    Selected general educational materials may also be available publicly.

  • HCS may make selected educational videos available publicly through its online media channels.

    Additional provider-only training videos are reserved for active HCS-sponsored organizations.

    Visit the HCS YouTube Channel

Budget, Procurement & Program Operations

  • HCS may provide program-related budget and administrative guidance based on the participating organization’s site type, jurisdiction, and applicable program requirements.

  • HCS may provide procurement and program operations guidance related to purchasing, vendors, food-service arrangements, documentation, and other applicable CACFP operational responsibilities.

  • HCS may provide guidance regarding food-service arrangements and vendor-related program requirements.

    Additional information regarding HCS's developing FSMC and caterer-related resources may be available through the HCS website.

Public Resources & Sponsored-Site Resources

  • The public HCS website may provide:

    • General CACFP information

    • Sponsorship information

    • Site-type guidance

    • General educational materials

    • Public videos

    • General FAQs

    • Agency and USDA resources

    • Other public program information

  • Active sponsored organizations may receive secure access to:

    • Required HCS training

    • Provider forms and templates

    • Claims resources

    • Monitoring materials

    • Program procedures

    • Budget and procurement tools

    • Operational guidance

    • Site-type-specific materials

    • Jurisdiction-specific resources

    • Proprietary HCS tools

    • Other provider-only resources

Not Sponsored by HCS?

  • Potentially.

    Organizations seeking CACFP consulting, educational support, business services, ServSafe instruction, exam proctoring, or related professional assistance outside an HCS sponsorship relationship may explore available services through Allied Alacrity, a separate organization.

    Explore Allied Alacrity Services

Site-Type Frequently Asked Questions

For more detailed questions, select your program type:

Child Care Centers

Explore CDC FAQs

Family Child Care Homes

Explore FDCH FAQs

Emergency Shelters

Explore Emergency Shelter FAQs

At-Risk Afterschool Sites

Explore At-Risk FAQs

Adult Care Centers & Facilities

Explore Adult Care FAQs

General Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have a Question?

If you cannot find the information you need, contact HCS and tell us your jurisdiction, program type, and question.

Contact HCS