What We Are
Currently West Virginia is ranked third in the nation’s obesity epidemic, and we can help fight that battle by teaching our children from birth how to make healthy lifestyle choices. While love and nurturing are important factors to quality care, healthy meals are crucial too. This is one example of quality care that children receive in your home, and it eases parents’ minds because they know that their child is receiving well-balanced meals and snacks in their absence. This program is funded by USDA and administered by the West Virginia Department of Education. It is sponsored in all counties in West Virginia by different agencies, and it is designed to encourage healthy meal choices in homes where child care is occurring.
Why Participate?
As a person who cares for children in your own home, you are in the unique position to influence the lives of children and infants in your care, both now and in the future.
If you provide meals and snacks for these children, you realize that one of the biggest expenses is food. Why not receive some monetary reimbursement to recover some of that expense?
What Is Your Reimbursement?
For example, if you were signed up to participate in the food program, were eligible to receive the highest reimbursement rate through our program, and claimed the maximum meals allowed (2 meals and 1 snack) for approximately 23 days of care, you would qualify to earn up to $116.84 for just that one child!. And you may be eligible to claim your own children as well!!!
The number of meals and snacks served to each child will depend on:
1. The time the child arrives in care.
2. The length of time the child remains in your home.
It is important to schedule meals to allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours between meals and snacks.
What do you need to do to participate in the Child Care Food Program?
Adults who watch children in their own home between the ages of birth to 13 years of age must agree to follow certain USDA Guidelines.
Guidelines
Plan, prepare, and serve meals and snacks that meet USDA standards.
Keep written/computerized menus of meals and snacks served and children who participate—daily
Have a minimum of three successful visits yearly with your food program monitor.
Keep registration on file and active with your local DHHR day care representative.
Three hours of required CACFP training per year.