(Dover, DE.) - Federal funds are available to help child and adult day care providers in Delaware serve nutritious, healthy meals to children and adults in their care. For some sites, foods donated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are also available. The program, which first started in 1968, has provided reimbursement of over $10.5 million for meals and snacks served to Delaware residents in fiscal year 2006.

Under the USDA-sponsored Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), child care centers, adult day care centers and family child care providers throughout Delaware can receive cash reimbursement for meals. The Delaware Department of Education is the state agency that administers the program in Delaware.

Licensed public or private nonprofit child care centers are eligible. For-profit child care centers are also eligible if they receive compensation under Title XX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of licensed capacity or number of children enrolled, whichever is less, or if 25 percent of licensed capacity or number of children enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Licensed or registered family child care home providers may also participate in the CACFP under the auspices of an approved family child care sponsoring organization. Four approved sponsors are available to work with family child care providers across Delaware.

Adult day care centers can also qualify. Eligible centers include public or private nonprofit centers that provide nonresidential adult day care to functionally impaired disabled adults. Also, private, for-profit adult day care centers may participate if 25 percent or more of the enrolled adults are Title XIX or Title XX beneficiaries.

Children enrolled at child care centers, family child care homes, some after-school programs, or adult day care centers participating in the CACFP receive meals/snacks at no charge. Reimbursement to the centers or providers varies depending on the number of children or adults meeting USDA's household size and income eligibility guidelines.The program covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Centers or providers may be reimbursed for up to two meals and one snack per participant each day.

The same meals will be available at no separate charge to all enrolled participants at each participating day care facility, regardless of race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin. There is no discrimination in admissions policy, meal service or the use of facilities.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or retaliation. If you require this information in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD). If you require information about this program, activity or facility in a language other than English, contact the USDA agency responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office.To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call, toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.