Research Brief: Family Childcare Home Providers Need More CACFP Funding to Provide Healthy Meals and Snacks to Young Children

Published: October 2023

Publisher: Nutrition Policy Institute

Authors: Lee DL, Bacon K, Felix C, Matias SL, Marshall SK, Homel Vitale E, Ritchie LD

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Licensed family childcare homes (FCCHs) in CACFP receive different reimbursement rates based on their income and location. Tier-1 rates are higher and apply to FCCH providers with low incomes or if they are in low-income areas. In 2021, due to COVID-19, tiering was temporarily suspended, and all FCCH providers received the higher Tier-1 rates. However, starting in June 30, 2023, tiering returned. To better understand the impact of eliminating tiered CACFP reimbursements during the pandemic, the Nutrition Policy Institute, in collaboration with the California Department of Social Services, CACFP Roundtable and University of California, Berkeley, conducted structured interviews with Tier 1 and Tier 2 FCCH providers in California.

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State: California

Keyword: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Focus Area: Early Childhood

Age Groups: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)

Resource Type: Research Brief

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