CACFP Eligibility
Licensing
All child care centers must be licensed by a federal, state or local licensing agency. There are exemptions for some types of centers, such as Head Start and sites sponsoring the “Area-Eligible” snack program. Contact Nutrition Services at nde.nsweb@nebraska.gov if you are uncertain of your licensing eligibility.
Eligible Sponsors
: Organizations that have been given nonprofit status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Nonprofit organizations must submit a photocopy of their letter from the Internal Revenue Service along with the initial application to participate in the CACFP. If the day care has a different name than the nonprofit organization, include a letter on the nonprofit organization’s letterhead stating that the nonprofit organization operates the day care and that the day care has the same legal identity as the nonprofit organization.
: Tax-supported agencies such as universities, schools, and other government agencies.
Public agencies must submit a letter on public agency letterhead stating that the organization is a public agency and that it operates the child care center(s) being sponsored with the initial application to participate in the CACFP.
All for-profit businesses must submit the one Proprietary For-Profit Statement (NDE 01-030) for each site in the sponsor’s application.
Each participating center/site must have
- a minimum of 25% of enrollment or capacity (whichever is less) of participants whose care is paid for with Title XX funds
OR
- a minimum of 25% of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals.
If applying based on 25% Title XX or XIX
For-profit businesses must include one signed copy of the current Provider Agreement between the center/site and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System for each site in the sponsor’s application. The agreement must be signed by both a center representative and an NHSS representative.
For-profit businesses must also include an enrollment roster for the qualifying month and copies of the NHSS payment document showing which participants’ care was paid for by Title XX or XIX funds.
OR
If applying based on 25% Free/Reduced eligibility
For-profit businesses must include an enrollment roster for the qualifying month and copies of the center’s Income Eligibility Forms for children qualifying for Free/Reduced price meals. (Not applicable for Adult Centers)
Sponsor Versus Site
Sponsor
: All center-based organizations participating in the CACFP, even if operating only one center/site.
Site or Center
: Each location where care is provided
Examples
-
Non-Profit Organization:
- A church that has nonprofit status operates a childcare center. The church is the sponsor, and the childcare center is the center/site.
-
Public Agency:
- A tax-supported college or university operates a child care center. The college or university is the sponsor, and the name of the childcare center is listed as the center/site.
-
For-Profit Business:
- Sponsor: A corporation owns and operates several childcare centers, which may or may not share the same name as the corporation. For example, ABC Care Center, Inc., the corporation is the sponsor, and Care Center A, Care Center B, and Care Center C are all their own sites.
- Site/Center: An individual owns and operates one childcare center under the name Apple Academy. Apple Academy is the name of both the sponsor and the center/site.
If your center or organization is eligible to participate, continue to the Application Process.