Program Eligibility

Forms & Resource Center

  • Nonprofit organizations – organizations that have been given nonprofit status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

checkmarkNonprofit 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 organization that has nonprofit status, include a letter on organization letterhead stating that the nonprofit organization operates the day care and that the day care has the same legal identity as the nonprofit organization.

  • Public agencies – tax-supported agencies such as universities, schools, and other government agenciescheckmark. 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. This must be submitted along with the initial application to participate in the CACFP.
  • For-profit businesses – 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.

checkmarkIf participating based on the 25% Title XX or XIX requirement, for-profit businesses must submit a legible photocopy of the current Provider Agreement between the center/site and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System. The agreement must be signed by both a center representative and a HHSS representative. One must be submitted for each site in the sponsor’s application.

checkmarkFor-profit businesses must complete and submit the Proprietary For Profit Statement (NDE 01-030) along with the initial application to participate in the CACFP. One must be submitted for each site in the sponsor’s application.

If applying based on 25% Title XX or XIX, this statement must include an enrollment roster for the qualifying month and legible photocopies of the HHSS payment document showing which participant’s care was paid for by Title XX or XIX funds.

If applying based on 25% Free/Reduced eligibility, this statement must include an enrollment roster for the qualifying month and legible photocopies of the center’s Income Eligibility Forms for children qualifying for Free/Reduced price meals.(Not applicable for Adult Centers)

Licensing

checkmarkAll 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 if you are uncertain of your licensing eligibility.

Definitions

Sponsor/sponsoring organization – all center-based organizations participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program are considered sponsors, even if you operate only one center/site.

Center/site – each location where care is provided is considered a center/site.

Some examples of organizational structures (these are only a few examples and are not intended to describe all possible organizational structures):

Nonprofit: A church that has nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)(3) operates a child care center. The church is the sponsor and the child care 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 child care center is listed as the center/site.

For profit center: An individual owns and operates one child care center under the name Hokey’s Hideaway. Hokey’s Hideaway is the name of both the sponsor and the center/site.

For profit sponsor: A corporation owns and operates several child care centers, which may or may not share the same name of the corporation. Example: XYZ Child Care, Inc. is the sponsor and the center/sites are named XYZ Child Care 1, Absolutely Best Care, and Best Ever Child Care.

Is your center or organization eligible to participate?

If so, continue to Application Process

Updated September 1, 2022 1:00am