4C Food Program Bifold Brochure

4-C is a local early childhood nonprofit organization that provides a range of early childhood services to families, early childhood professionals and communities in southern Wisconsin. In addition to CACFP, 4-C offers training and consulting to early childhood professionals, is a YoungStar regional office, offers family child care certification, and maintains a resource room for early childhood professionals. 4-C offers families child care referrals, Play and Learn play groups, developmental screening, and parent education services. 4-C also provides early childhood data to the community and is an early childhood collaborator.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

5 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 271-9181 | (800) 750-KIDS Fax: (608) 271-5380 foodprog@4-C.org | www.4-C.org

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Helping Communities Help Children

Child and Adult Care Food Program The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP is part of the National School Lunch Act. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding to help children in school and child care receive nutritious food and well-balanced meals. In Wisconsin, the CACFP is operated by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Eligibility County certified or state licensed family child care providers caring for at least one child (full-time or parttime) are eligible to participate in the Food Program.

Program Requirements Once enrolled in the 4-C Food Program, you are required to: • Feed all children in your care according to the CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements.

All children in child care, from 0 through 12 years old, are eligible to participate in the CACFP. You can be reimbursed for up to two meals and one snack per day, per child.

• Submit monthly records (claims) of food served and attendance. You can either claim online or submit paper forms.

For more information on the 4-C CACFP or to enroll, call 800.292.2429 or 608.271.5242 or email foodprog@4-C.org.

• Have a 4-C Nutrition Specialist visit you three times per year while you are providing care and while you are serving a meal or snack.

CACFP Benefits Benefits to Early Childhood Professionals Aside from reimbursement, online claiming, direct deposit, and pre-planned menus, child care providers receive ongoing nutrition education and regular visits from experienced staff. The 4-C Food Program offers child nutrition resources and ongoing support which allow child care providers to offer healthy meals and snacks to the children in their care.

Benefits to Children Children who participate in the CACFP receive nutritious, well-balanced meals. It is essential that children develop healthy nutrition habits in their early years. Providers who participate in the Food Program create an environment lay the foundation for healthy lifelong habits.

Benefits to Parents Parents who choose a provider who participates in the Food Program can be assured that their child will receive high quality meals. These well-balanced, nutritious meals help children to be healthier and reach their full potential.

Benefits to Communities The 4-C CACFP provides over $2 million annually in federal reimbursement which, in addition to assisting providers, helps the local economy. This reimbursement also offers an incentive for providers to be regulated, which benefits the whole community.

• Complete one training per year.

Nondiscrimination The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.