Recent News

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced the new income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals served at child and adult day care centers in Missouri.

The income guidelines are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals at:

• Child care facilities and family child care homes that serve meals to children from birth through 12 years of age;
• Adult day care programs.

The health department reimburses the facilities for meals provided to participants who meet the income guidelines. More than 3,000 facilities in Missouri participate in the program every year.

Approximately $53 million will be paid to participating facilities in Missouri in 2014.

Participants must meet the following guidelines for free or reduced price meal eligibility:

• The family's income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Specific income guidelines for July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, can be found at http://www.health.mo.gov/living/dnhs_pdfs/R_CACFP_IEGbook_child.pdf
• The household receives benefits through Temporary Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
• The participant is enrolled in an adult care facility and receives assistance through SNAP, Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI.

Application forms for free or reduced-price meals can be obtained at aparticipating facility. Individuals can contact their child or adult day care facility or a family child care home sponsor in their area to find out whether it participates in the program.

Child and adult care facilities interested in participating in the program can contact the health department's Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance toll-free at 800-733-6251.