Reimbursement
Providers may receive reimbursement for up to 2 meals and 1 snack per child per day.
Reimbursement is based on the type of meal served and the number of meals served.
Reimbursement rates are adjusted annually.

Payment is based on a two-tier reimbursement system. Income, school, or census eligibility determines tier 1 reimbursement. Tier 2 reimbursement applies to those who are not eligible based on the above.
(We have additional information on income eligibility)

Provider is instructed on the allowable food and menu guidelines required by the USDA -guidelines that are easy and sensible.

It's balance and quality that count in assuring lifetime benefits for children.

Income Eligibility
Childcare providers receive meal reimbursement based on a two- tier reimbursement system based on economic need.
Tier l reimbursement is applied when:
1. Providers live in areas of eligibility based on elementary school and/or census data (scroll down for listing of eligible schools), or

2. Providers whose household income is at or below 185% poverty may receive reimbursement for meals and snacks serve to daycare children and their own children. (See income guidelines below.)

Tier 2 reimbursement is applied to:
1. All other providers. However, they may request to collect income applications information from their families who have children enrolled in the home to determine if there are any children whose meals could be reimbursed at the Tier l level. It is possible for a Tier 2 Provider to receive Tier l reimbursement for some children and Tier 2 reimbursement for others.

These guidelines are used to determine a child's eligible category for federal meal reimbursement if he or she is not categorically or automatically eligible.

Please Note: This scale does not apply to households receiving food stamps or FDPIR benefits; or children who are recipients of CALWORKs or are enrolled and meet the low-income criteria of Head Start or Even Start. Those children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits.

Family Child Care Homes
Any family childcare home operating with proper licensing or approval from state and local authorities is eligible to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Family childcare homes must have a sponsor, such as Golden Wings Food Program, Inc., to receive CACFP funds. A sponsor processes the paperwork and makes payments to the child care homes. This service is provided at no cost to the childcare provider. Once you choose a sponsor, you may change sponsors only once a year.

Program guidelines effective in July 1977 established multiple reimbursement rates for child care homes. The reimbursement rate can be determined by a number of factors, including the income levels in the area the home is located, the provider's family income, or the income levels of the families whose children are enrolled in the program.

Also, if the provider's family meets income guidelines, the program may pay for the provider's children meals as well.