Tennessee Department of Human Services

The Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Tennessee Department of Human Services prohibits discrimination in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program - Forms

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for eligible meals that are served to participants who meet age and income requirements. Administrative payments are also provided for those agencies that sponsor the participation of day care homes. All payments are based on annual rates established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The program is administered by child care centers and homes, outside-school-hours care centers, family and group child care homes, and some emergency shelters and after school programs for at-risk children. All facilities that participate in the program must serve meals that meet USDA guidelines. The sponsoring organization prepares monthly meal reimbursement claims and oversees the operations of the homes under its sponsorship. The sponsoring organization receives reimbursement for administrative expenses based on the number of homes it sponsors.

Adult day care centers that participate in the program include licensed or approved public and private non-profit facilities that provide non-residential care for functionally impaired adults. Emergency shelters that participate in the program provide temporary residence to children and their parents or guardians. The children served by the shelters are eligible for the meal reimbursements. After school programs for at-risk children that participate in the program only receive reimbursement for the serving of snacks.

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program provides administrative and operational payments to eligible agencies for serving meals to low income children. Eligible agencies included private nonprofit organizations, local governments, and state colleges and universities. All payments are based on annual rates established by the USDA.

Contact (615) 313-4749.