CACFP supports eligible Child Care Centers that provide care and meal service to participating children in approved child care settings.

Participation requirements may depend on factors such as licensing or approval status, program structure, participant eligibility, meal service, enrollment, jurisdiction, and other applicable CACFP requirements.

HCS helps prospective centers understand the sponsorship process and the information needed to determine whether participation may be appropriate.

HCS provides ongoing sponsorship and administrative support designed to help participating Child Care Centers manage CACFP responsibilities throughout the program year.

Support may include:

• Sponsorship and program administration

• Claims review and reimbursement processing

• Monitoring and technical assistance

• CACFP training and education

• Recordkeeping and documentation guidance

• Meal-service and program support

• Communication regarding program requirements

• Corrective follow-up when needed

• Forms, templates, and program resources

The exact support provided depends on applicable CACFP requirements, HCS procedures, and the center’s participation status.

Centers interested in HCS sponsorship may be asked to provide information regarding their organization, licensing or approval status, facility operations, meal service, participants, staffing, current CACFP participation, and other documentation needed for enrollment or sponsorship review.

HCS may also review whether the center currently participates in CACFP, whether another sponsor is involved, and whether additional program or jurisdiction-specific requirements apply.

Enrollment is completed only after applicable eligibility, documentation, and HCS participation requirements have been satisfied.

Participating Child Care Centers are responsible for maintaining accurate records that support CACFP meal claims.

Depending on program requirements, records may include:

• Daily meal counts

• Attendance records

• Menus

• Enrollment information

• Participant eligibility records when applicable

• Meal-service documentation

• Required supporting records

HCS reviews required claim information and supporting documentation, processes eligible claims, and administers reimbursement-related activities in accordance with applicable CACFP requirements.

Only eligible and properly supported meals may be included in reimbursement claims.

HCS conducts required monitoring of participating Child Care Centers and provides technical assistance to support effective CACFP operations.

Monitoring may include review of:

• Meal service

• Meal counts

• Attendance

• Menus

• Required records

• Training completion

• Civil rights responsibilities

• Program procedures

• Documentation practices

• Other applicable CACFP requirements

When concerns or needed corrections are identified, HCS may provide technical assistance, follow-up guidance, or corrective-action support as required.

HCS provides required and supplemental CACFP training to help Child Care Center staff understand program responsibilities and maintain organized program operations.

Training topics may include:

• CACFP meal-pattern requirements

• Meal counting and claiming

• Recordkeeping

• Civil rights requirements

• Monitoring expectations

• Claims procedures

• Enrollment and participant documentation

• Food-service practices

• Program updates

• Other applicable CACFP requirements

Additional training may be provided when program changes, monitoring results, or operational needs indicate that further support would be helpful.

Accurate and organized documentation is essential to successful CACFP participation.

HCS helps participating centers understand which records must be maintained and how those records support program administration and reimbursement claims.

Depending on the center and jurisdiction, required records may include:

• Attendance

• Meal counts

• Menus

• Enrollment forms

• Eligibility documentation

• Training records

• Monitoring records

• Meal-service records

• Financial or procurement documentation when applicable

• Other required CACFP records

HCS may provide forms, templates, instructions, and technical guidance to help centers maintain consistent documentation practices.

HCS provides CACFP sponsorship for eligible Child Care Centers in Maryland within its approved sponsorship scope.

Maryland centers interested in HCS sponsorship may contact HCS to discuss their program, location, CACFP status, and participation needs.

Maryland-specific requirements, enrollment procedures, service-area considerations, and program expectations will be reviewed during the sponsorship process.

HCS provides CACFP sponsorship and program support for eligible Child Care Centers in the District of Columbia within its approved program scope.

DC centers may contact HCS regarding enrollment, current CACFP participation, claims administration, monitoring, training, documentation, and other sponsorship-related needs.

District-specific requirements and HCS procedures will be reviewed as part of the participation process.