Policy Memo 194

DOH-CACFP: Number 194 (8/17),Supersedes Number 118 (2/08)

TO: CACFP Sponsors of Centers

FROM: Dwight LaDu, Director, Child and Adult Care Food Program

SUBJECT: At-Risk Afterschool Snack and Supper

Purpose and Scope

CACFP provides reimbursement for snacks and suppers served to school children through age 18 participating in afterschool programs located in eligible (At-Risk) areas.

Background Information

  • The intent is to provide funds to organizations for nutritious snacks and suppers served as part of organized programs of care, which are known to help reduce or prevent children's involvement in high-risk behavior.
  • It is not necessary for the program to maintain income eligibility applications for individual children who receive only At-Risk Snack and/or At-Risk Supper. Reimbursement of the At-Risk Snacks and At-Risk Suppers is provided at the free reimbursement rate currently in effect for CACFP centers.

Program Eligibility

  • Centers are eligible if they operate an afterschool program which:
    1. is located in the attendance area of a public school (elementary, middle or high school) where at least 50% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.
    2. provides children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in an organized, structured and supervised environment.
  • Programs are not eligible if they serve primarily competitive sports teams. However, afterschool programs that include a sports activity as part of their enrichment program may be eligible.
  • A center's area eligibility determination for At-Risk is valid for 5 years.

Program Requirements

  • Snacks and suppers must be served after the end of the school day and prior to midnight that day. Only snacks and suppers served during the regular school year, including those served on weekends, holidays and school vacations, are eligible for reimbursement. Snacks and suppers served will not be reimbursed during summer months unless a school operates on a year-round basis.
  • Afterschool programs may serve both a snack and supper. CACFP recommends at least two hours between the snack and a supper meal, if the snack is served first and 2 ½ hours between meal services when the supper meal is served before the snack.
  • Afterschool care programs that participate in the At-Risk component must:
    1. Document attendance each day;
    2. Complete meal counts;
    3. Document compliance with meal pattern requirements.
  • The minimum meal pattern requirements for children ages 6-12 and 13-18 are the same, although it is recommended that larger portions be offered to older children based on their greater food energy requirements.

Application and Approval

  • Registered and license-exempt afterschool programs providing care for children up to 18 years of age should submit an Application for Participation of Individual Centers (DOH-3682) with the school-age registration, if applicable. Sponsors that have access to CACFP's online system (CIPS), may complete the center application or request approval for at risk meals for existing centers by logging into their online application.
  • A list of At-Risk eligible public schools may be obtained on our website at: health.ny.gov/cacfp or by calling CACFP at 1-800-942-3858.
  • Programs serving children under 13 years of age are not required to be licensed to participate in CACFP unless licensing is required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Programs serving 13 to 18-year-old participants are not required to be licensed by NYS.
  • One week of menus which meet the meal pattern requirements, must be submitted for snack and/or supper.
  • Further assistance is available by contacting CACFP at 1-800-942-3858.