Delaware CACFP and Delacare Rules

Understanding Delaware CACFP

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults enrolled for care at participating childcare centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. In Delaware, CACFP is administered by the Department of Education to ensure that children and adults in care settings receive nutritionally balanced meals.

Purpose of CACFP in Delaware

The primary goal of the Delaware CACFP is to improve the health and nutritional status of children and adults in care settings. The program achieves this by providing financial assistance to childcare facilities to help them serve meals that meet established nutritional standards. These meals help children develop healthy eating habits early in life and support the nutritional needs of adults.

Delaware CACFP Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Delaware CACFP, facilities must meet certain eligibility requirements:

• Child Care Centers: Licensed public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, and for-profit centers that meet specific income criteria.
• Family Day Care Homes: Licensed or approved family day care homes that provide care for a small number of children.
• After-School Programs: Programs that provide educational or enrichment activities to school-aged children after school hours.
• Emergency Shelters: Emergency shelters that serve homeless children.
• Adult Day Care Centers: Licensed adult day care centers that provide structured, comprehensive services to functionally impaired adults.

Enrollment Process

Potential participants must complete an application process that includes submitting their license or approval documentation, completing required training, and implementing approved meal patterns before receiving reimbursements.

Governing Regulations: Delacare Rules

Delaware's childcare facilities must comply with Delacare Rules, which are regulations set forth by the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. These rules establish the minimum standards for child care in the state and cover various aspects of operation and care.

Meal Pattern Requirements under CACFP

Delaware CACFP participants must follow specific meal pattern requirements established by the USDA. These requirements ensure that meals and snacks served to program participants contribute to their nutritional needs and support proper growth and development.

Key Components of the Meal Pattern

The meal pattern requirements vary based on the age of participants and the specific meal or snack being served:

Meal Pattern Components for Children

Meal Type	Required Components
Breakfast	Milk, vegetables/fruits, and grains
Lunch/Dinner	Milk, vegetables/fruits, grains, and meat/meat alternates
Snack	Two of the four components (milk, vegetables/fruits, grains, or meat/meat alternates)

Portion sizes increase as children age, with specific guidelines for infants, children ages 1-2, children ages 3-5, children ages 6-12, and adults.

Infant Meal Patterns

Infants have special meal pattern requirements based on their developmental stage:

• Birth through 3 months: Breastmilk or iron-fortified infant formula
• 4-7 months: Breastmilk or iron-fortified infant formula, plus optional infant cereal
• 8-11 months: Breastmilk or iron-fortified infant formula, plus infant cereal, vegetables/fruits, and meat/meat alternates

Documentation Requirements

Delaware CACFP participants must maintain accurate and complete documentation to receive reimbursement for meals and snacks. Documentation requirements include:

• Enrollment forms for each participant containing information on age, income eligibility (for determining meal reimbursement rates), and dietary restrictions
• Daily menus showing all components served
• Attendance records documenting which children were present at each meal
• Records of the total number of meals served by type (breakfast, lunch, snack, supper)
• If applicable, free and reduced-price meal eligibility determinations using income applications or categorical eligibility documentation

Record Retention

Delaware CACFP providers must retain all required records for a minimum of three years after the end of the fiscal year in which expenses were incurred. These records must be available for inspection by the Delaware Department of Education or federal officials.

Health and Safety Standards in Delacare Rules

Delacare Rules establish comprehensive health and safety standards for childcare facilities in Delaware. Key requirements include:

Facility Safety

• Safe indoor and outdoor environments free from hazards
• Smoke-free facility requirements
• Safety equipment including first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors
• Proper storage of cleaning supplies and medications
• Appropriate child-proofing measures

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Regular cleaning schedules for all surfaces and toys
• Proper diaper changing procedures in designated areas
• Hand washing requirements for staff and children
• Food preparation and storage guidelines

Health Policies

• Immunization requirements for enrolled children
• Illness policies regarding exclusion of sick children
• Medication administration procedures
• Emergency preparedness plans

Staffing Requirements under Delacare Rules

Delacare Rules establish specific requirements for staff qualifications and child-to-staff ratios to ensure appropriate supervision and care:

Staff Qualifications

• Program administrators must meet specific education and experience requirements based on the size of the center
• Caregivers must complete orientation training within 90 days of employment
• All staff must complete annual training hours
• Background checks for all staff including fingerprinting

Child-to-Staff Ratios

Minimum Child-to-Staff Ratios

Age	Ratio	Maximum Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)	1:4	8
Toddlers (12-24 months)	1:5	10
Two-year-olds	1:7	14
Three-year-olds	1:10	20
Four-year-olds	1:12	24
School-age children	1:15	30

CACFP Reimbursement Process

Delaware CACFP participants receive reimbursement for meals and snacks that meet program requirements. The reimbursement process includes:

Reimbursement Rates

Reimbursement rates are established annually by the USDA and vary based on:

• The type of meal (breakfast, lunch, snack, or supper)
• Whether the participant qualifies for free, reduced-price, or paid meals
• The type of participating institution (center, day care home, etc.)

Cycle of Reimbursement

1. Providers serve meals that meet CACFP requirements
2. Providers document meals served and participant eligibility
3. Providers submit monthly claims to the Delaware Department of Education
4. Claims are reviewed and processed
5. Payments are issued to approved providers

Appeals Process

Providers who disagree with claim disallowances or have other program-related concerns have the right to appeal through an established administrative review process.

Compliance and Monitoring

To ensure compliance with both CACFP and Delacare Rules, the state conducts regular monitoring of participating facilities:

• Unannounced visits to verify that meals claimed were served as documented
• Annual reviews of meal pattern compliance
• Fiscal reviews to ensure proper use of program funds
• Delacare licensing inspections to verify compliance with state childcare regulations

Violations and Corrective Actions

When violations are identified, facilities must take corrective actions within specified timeframes. Failure to correct issues can result in:

• Reduced reimbursements
• Termination from CACFP
• Delacare license sanctions or revocation

Resources for Delaware Providers

For additional information, guidance, and resources related to Delaware CACFP and Delacare Rules:

• Delaware Department of Education, Nutrition and Food Services
• Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
• Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)
• Delaware First Early Childhood and School-Age Professional Development System

These agencies provide technical assistance, training opportunities, publications, and other support to help providers understand and implement requirements effectively.