CACFP Policy Memo Number 127

DOH-CACFP: Number 127 (04/09), Supersedes Number 88 (12/03)

TO: CACFP Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes

FROM: Lynne Oudekerk, Acting State Director, Child and Adult Care Food Program

SUBJECT: Eligibility of Day Care Home Employee's Children in CACFP

I. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this memo is to clarify the eligibility of a child in a family day care home (FDCH) in which the parent or guardian also works as an employee in the home. This memo is a clarification of guidance from USDA on the child's eligibility and how the child should be claimed for reimbursement.

II. Background Information

  1. Some FDCH programs, such as group FDCH, hire employees as assistants, on-site providers, and substitutes.
  2. A FDCH employee's child can be claimed as a non-resident child when the child is enrolled in care at the same day care site:
    1. The child is treated the same as any other non-resident child in the FDCH; therefore, the parent or guardian must complete the Day Care Home Enrollment Form (DOH-4419).
    2. The child is claimed according to the Tier determination status of the home.
      • If the FDCH is Tier I, the employee's child is claimed as Tier I.
      • If the FDCH is Tier II, an income eligibility application (DOH-4160) would need to be completed for the employee's child and submitted to the sponsor who will determinate if the household income qualifies for Tier I rates.
  3. Where the FDCH is licensed to the owner but is actually located at the employee's home, the resident children are considered non-resident and would be claimed according to the Tier status of the home:
    1. The employee's child is never considered provider's own or a resident child for CACFP purposes.
    2. However, at least one other non-resident child must be present for any resident child to be claimed.

III. Summary of Changes

CACFP recognizes that some FDCH hire employees to assist or provide direct care in their programs. A FDCH employee's child is eligible to be claimed in CACFP as a non-resident child, but the child must be enrolled and participating in the child care program. An employee's child is claimed according to the Tier determination for the FDCH site.