Policy Memo 118

DOH-CACFP: Number 118 (02/08) Supersedes Number 55 (02/01) and Number 41 (05/99)

TO: CACFP Participating Organizations (Centers)

FROM: Jeanne Culver, State Director, Child and Adult Care Food Program

SUBJECT: At Risk Afterschool Snack and Supper

I. Purpose and Scope

CACFP provides reimbursement for snacks and suppers served to school children through age 18 participating in after school programs in eligible (at risk) areas.

II. Background Information

  1. The intent is to provide funds to schools and public or private organizations for nutritious suppers and snacks served as part of organized programs of care, which are known to help reduce or prevent children's involvement in high risk behavior.
  2. It is not necessary for the program to maintain income eligibility applications for individual children who receive only At Risk Snack and/or At Risk Supper. Reimbursement of the At Risk Snacks and Suppers is provided at the free reimbursement rate currently in effect for CACFP centers.

III. Program Eligibility

  1. Centers are eligible if they operate an afterschool program which:
    1. is located in a geographic area served by a public school in which 50% or more of the children enrolled are eligible for free or reduced price school meals, and
    2. provides children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in an organized, structured, and supervised environment.
  2. Programs are not eligible if they serve primarily competitive sports teams. However, afterschool care programs that include a sports activity as part of their enrichment program may be eligible.

IV. Program Requirements

  1. Snacks and Suppers must be served after the end of the school day and prior to midnight that day. Only snacks and suppers served during the regular school year, including those served on weekends, holidays and school vacations, are eligible for reimbursement. Snacks and suppers served will not be reimbursed during summer months unless a school operates on a year round basis.
  2. Afterschool programs may serve both a snack and supper. CACFP recommends at least two hours between the snack and a supper meal, if the snack is served first and two and a half hours between meal services when the supper meal is served before the snack.
  3. Afterschool care programs that participate in the At Risk component must:
    1. Document attendance each day;
    2. Complete meal counts;
    3. Document compliance with meal pattern requirements.
  4. The minimum meal pattern requirements for children ages 6-12 and 13-18 are the same, although it is recommended that larger portions be offered to older children based on their greater food energy requirements.

V. Application and Approval

  1. Registered and license-exempt afterschool programs providing care for children up to 13 years of age, should submit an Application for Participation of Child Day Care Centers (DOH-3682) with the school age registration, if applicable.
  2. Afterschool programs providing care only to children from 13-19 years of age, should submit an Application for Participation of Teen Centers (DOH-4154).
  3. Registered afterschool care programs serving children both under and over 13 years of age must complete both the Application for Participation of Child Day Care Centers (DOH-3682) and the Application for Participation of Teen Centers (DOH-4154) while license exempt afterschool programs may report all of the school age children on the Application for Participation of Child Day Care Centers (DOH-3682)
  4. One week of menus which meet the meal pattern requirements, must be submitted for snack and/or supper.
  5. Further assistance is available by contacting CACFP at 1-800-942-3858.