Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services After-School Snacks and Suppers in At-Risk Areas
Program description - Eligibility requirements - Meal requirements
Reimbursement - Reporting and recordkeeping - How to apply
Click here for the brochure “Missouri’s After School Snack and Supper program in At-Risk Areas.”
Program description
Eligible public and private organizations may participate in the at-risk, after school program through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP provides funding for snacks and suppers in organized after school programs. The food program not only benefits children by providing needed nutrition, but has also been shown to help reduce or prevent children's involvement in juvenile crime or other high-risk behaviors.
Eligible facilities must serve meals and snacks meeting program requirements; maintain accurate and complete records; and train center personnel in program requirements and operations.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for reimbursement under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), after school programs must meet the following criteria:
- The after school program must be operated by a public or private, not-for-profit organization or - if a private, for-profit organization - must have at least 25 percent of enrolled children's care paid through Title XX funds (25 percent of enrolled children or licensed capacity, whichever is less).
- The purpose of the program must be to provide care in after school settings. This does not mean that the program must offer formal, all-day child care (although many of these programs would be eligible to participate).
- The after school program must include education or enrichment activities in an organized, structured, and supervised environment. Any extracurricular activities such as the school choir, debate team, drama society, etc., can qualify to participate under this provision only if their basic purpose is to provide after school care. Under no circumstances can athletic teams that limit membership based on ability be approved for participation. However, some sports groups may qualify. The key would be that the sports programs are open to all and do not limit membership for reasons other than space, security, or licensing requirements.
Times of Operation
This program applies to snacks and suppers served to children after their school day has ended, not to those served before or during the school day. After-school programs may claim reimbursement for snacks and suppers served on weekends, holidays, and other vacation periods during the regular school year. Programs may not claim reimbursement through this provision when school is not in session (i.e., when school is closed for the summer). There must be two hours allowed between the end of the snack meal service and the start of the supper meal service, if both snack and supper are served.
Site Eligibility Requirements
- Any after school program operated by a public or private organization must be located in a low-income ("at-risk") area to be eligible for reimbursement for snacks and/or suppers. To qualify as low-income, the site must be located in an area served by a school where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are certified as eligible to receive free or reduced price school lunches.
- The after school program must be licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Child Care, or be exempt from licensing requirements. Exempt organizations must, however, submit documentation to show that minimum health and safety standards are being met. At a minimum, documentation must include a fire safety inspection report and a sanitation report.
- Family Child Care Homes do not qualify for the at-risk, after school snack and supper program.
Additional Requirements
After-school programs wishing to participate under this provision must provide sufficient information to enable the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine whether or not the type of program is eligible, and if so, whether or not it qualifies for free reimbursement for after school snacks and suppers based on area eligibility.
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 At-Risk After School 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
The intent is to keep any recordkeeping burden to the minimum necessary to ensure that CACFP reimbursement is properly paid. At a minimum, after school programs participating in the at-risk, after school snack and supper program must maintain the following records:
- Documentation that the program site is located in an area served by a school in which at least 50 percent of the enrolled students are certified eligible for free or reduced price meals;
- A daily count of the total number of snacks and/or suppers served to participating children;
- Documentation of individual children's attendance on a daily basis; and
- Menus and receipts for the purchase of food and supplies for each snack and/or supper served.
For more information refer to the CACFP Recordkeeping Requirements for the At-Risk After School Snack and Supper Program.
How to Apply
Eligible facilities must submit an application with supporting documentation. Pre-approval and orientation visits are required . If the application is approved, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will enter into a contract with the facility to participate in the CACFP.
Five easy steps to become part of the CACFP:
- Click here for the application instructions.
- There are several forms to print and complete. Copies of several documents must be submitted with your application.
- Your application instructions include important program specific information.
- When a complete application is received, the applicant will be contacted to schedule a mandatory on-site pre-approval and orientation visit.
- Approved applicants will be sent a contract to sign and return before program participation can begin.