The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimburses day care homes for a maximum of two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per day per child 12 years of age or younger. Minnesota currently has nine nonprofit family child care sponsoring organizations that administer CACFP. Sponsors are responsible for recruiting, training, monitoring and reimbursing family child care providers. Information about Family Child Care Home (CACFP) sponsors, including links to their websites, are located on this page. Visit the USDA website for access to memoranda related to this program.

The Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) Administration page includes forms to obtain a new sponsor ID, site IDs and user IDs. New sponsors must complete and submit all application materials before receiving a CLiCS User ID.

Required nondiscrimination statement: In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Notice of Request for Federal Waiver
Licensed family child care providers may participate in the federal CACFP and receive reimbursements for nutritious meals served to enrolled children. The definition of “day care home” in the federal regulations for CACFP (7 Code of Federal Regulations Part 226) requires that child care services must be provided in a private home in order to be eligible to participate in the program. However, Minnesota’s Human Services Licensing law (Minn. Stat. § 245A.14, subd. 4) allows some family child care providers to provide family child care services in a nonresidential setting, for example, a commercial space. Family child care providers with this type of license currently are not eligible to participate in the CACFP because the child care services are not provided in a private home.

MDE is submitting a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to waive the portion of the definition of “day care home” in federal regulations that requires the family child care services to be provided “in a private home.” If the waiver is granted, family child care providers in Minnesota who provide licensed family child care services in a nonresidential setting according to conditions set forth in Minn. Stat. § 245A.14, subd. 4 will be eligible to participate in the CACFP.

If you have any questions about the waiver request, or to request a copy, contact us.

Program Regulations
Current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) related to this program are available on the U.S. Government Printing Office website:

• Child and Adult Care Food Program (7 CFR 226)

• Public School List with Percentage of Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Students Used for Eligibility Determinations - 2013 
  To determine eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Program, Afterschool Snack Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program.
• Family Day Care Home Sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food Program - Handout for Licensors 
  An informational page listing the Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors in Minnesota for Family Day Care Homes.