CACFP Day Care Home Reimbursement Structure
Current understanding
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) currently reimburses family day care homes under a two-tiered system, with Tier I homes (in low-income areas or serving low-income providers) receiving higher per-meal/snack rates than Tier II homes. Proposals under discussion would consolidate the tiers, add a flat per-meal supplement, and change how providers’ own children qualify for reimbursed meals. Effects on providers, participating children, and federal outlays depend on final rate structure and eligibility rules.
Evidence log
- 2026-05-08 — Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs: cross-connection with child-nutrition-fluid-milk-options: Both concern USDA Child Nutrition Program standards; the expanded fluid milk options apply to CACFP meals served in day care homes alongside reimbursement structure rules. (novelty: 2)
- 2025-04-10 — Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2025: cross-connection with rural-child-care-facility-expansion: Both target the economics of child care provision — CACFP reimbursement rates affect the operating revenue of family day care homes that rural child care facility expansion programs aim to grow. (novelty: 2)