The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that funding is available for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in fiscal year 2021. The program assists child care centers, Head Start programs, before-and after-school programs, emergency shelters, and day care home providers with funding to serve healthy meals to children. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic means even more families now depend on federally funded nutrition programs. Funding from this program has provided meals to thousands of children at emergency child care centers across the state during the pandemic. All participating child care centers must provide meals to enrolled children at no additional cost. Funding for the CACFP comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Individuals in households who participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. The USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines determine eligibility to receive free meal benefits for families that do not receive TANF or SNAP benefits. Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court also receive free meal benefits. Parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider to find out if they participate in CACFP. For more information, visit www.isbe.net