The Center receives financial support from tuition payments and from reimbursement for food service under the Child Care Food Program.  The Parents' Financial Agreement stipulates charges for your child, which must be paid in advance and on a regular basis.  When you return the Family Income Form, your child becomes eligible for food services under our agreement with the Child Care Food Program.

$$$$$ Available to Qualified Providers for Child Nutrition Programs

Many children in Michigan do not have a healthy meal after they leave school.  Hungry children can have behavior problems.  It is harder for them to learn.   Fortunately,  there is money available to help many children receive healthy suppers if they participate in qualified after-school programs.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) will reimburse programs for the cost of providing suppers to children. CACFP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Programs can qualify for CACFP if they are:

• Located in an area where at least 50% of children attending the nearest school in the service area qualify for free/reduced price school meals, and
• Offer educational and/or enrichment activities after the school day ends, on weekends, and/or over holidays during the regular school year, and
• Satisfy state child care licensing requirements, and
• Serve meals that meet USDA nutrition standards.

Many types of organizations can qualify. These  include, but are not limited to, school-based programs, childcare centers,   local community centers, churches, boys and girls clubs, and YMCA/YWCA after-school programs.  Programs can participate on their own,  or through a sponsoring organization. Meals can be prepared on-site or purchased from vendors.

For more information on how to participate, and to find out if your program will qualify for these federal funds, contact the Michigan Department of Education at (517) 373-7391.    Participation in this supper program can reduce the number of children who suffer from hunger every day, while providing much-needed funding to after-school programs.

***This program is not available to home-based providers***

This summary was prepared by the Center for Civil Justice in Saginaw Michigan.  For more information, contact the Center at info@ccj-mi.org,  1-989-755-3120.