Program Description

Man eating appleThe Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides meal reimbursement to eligible adult day care centers. The target population of this program is elderly and functionally impaired adults, 18 years of age or older and adults 60 years of age or older who are unable to live independently or perform activities of daily living. Functionally impaired adults include victims of Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction, who are physically or mentally impaired to the extent that their capability for independence and ability to carry out functions of daily living is markedly limited.

Eligibility facilities must serve meals meeting eligibility requirements; maintain accurate and complete records; operate a nonprofit food service, train center personnel in program requirements and operations; and collect income eligibility information on all participants claimed as free or reduced.

DHSS provides reimbursement for allowable meals served; provides technical assistance on nutrition, food service operations, program management, and recordkeeping; and reviews and monitors program services to ensure good nutrition for all enrolled participants. For assistance, contact us.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in CACFP, an adult day care facility must be licensed by an approved state or federal authority and be nonresidential. In other words, the same participants cannot be maintained in care for more than 24 hours on a regular basis.

Private institutions must have either IRS approved tax-exempt status or receive Title XX or Title XIX compensation for at least 25 percent of enrolled participants. Missouri tax-exempt status will not suffice.

Sheltered workshops are not eligible to participate in the program.

The center must provide a structured, comprehensive program that provides a regular daily schedule of specific activities including health, social, and related support services.

The center must provide services to functionally impaired individuals. Centers serving only adults 60 years of age and older who are not functionally impaired cannot participate in the program.

For each participant, the center must maintain individual plans of care that include:

  1. An assessment of the individual's strengths and needs based on information obtained.
  2. A written plan of service, based on the assessment which specifies:
    • The goals and objectives of the planned care.
    • The activities to achieve the goals and objectives.
    • Recommendations for therapy.
    • Referrals to and follow-up with other service providers as needed.
    • Provisions for periodic review and renewal.

Meal Requirements

To qualify as a reimbursable meal, each participant must be served, the minimum quantity of food as outlined, by category per meal type, on the Adult Food Chart. This is referred to as the meal pattern requirement. Menus must contain all the food components in the proper quantity.

The Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs is designed by the USDA to help you buy the right amount of food and help you determine the specific contribution each food makes toward the meal pattern requirements. It also has yield data for more than 1,200 food items.

Reporting and Recordkeeping

Participating facilities are required to maintain the following records:

  • Daily attendance records.
  • Menus.
  • Daily meal count records recorded at point of service.
  • Food expenses and income to the program indicating nonprofit food service.
  • Enrollment documentation that includes the age of each enrolled participant.
  • Documentation or plans of care for participants claimed as functionally impaired.
  • Income Eligibility Forms for each participant claimed for free or reduced meal reimbursement.
  • Documentation of training provided to center personnel regarding program requirements and operations.