Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC) is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), ensuring various care facilities are reimbursed for providing meals and snacks to those in need.

The CACFP is a federally funded program that reimburses licensed daycare homes and centers for the cost of serving meals and snacks to any children enrolled in afterschool programs or living in emergency shelters, or adults over age 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in day care facilities.

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The CRDC serves as the local sponsor of the program, working with over 65 facilities across 16 Northeast Arkansas counties to ensure those participating receive full reimbursement, are serving the proper meals and snacks, and are assisted with any questions day care leaders may have. The CRDC has been the local sponsor since 1983.

“We kind of want to work with them hand-in-hand and be that partner with them to ensure that they’re getting those benefits back to the local communities through their participation in the program,” said Jennifer Johnson, Child and Adult Care Food Program coordinator at the CRDC.

The program runs all year long. Johnson noted that over the past 10 months, the CRDC has reimbursed a little over $1.9 million back into the area, and that over 824,000 USDA-certified meals and snacks and have been served.

Adult care facilities are reimbursed based on the income rates for the participants in each individual family. Daycare facilities’ reimbursement rates are determined based on the school district they are in or on local census data, Johnson said.

In order for a daycare, adult care, or other similar facility to apply, Johnson said it would need to reach out to the CRDC, during which staff will provide on-site training and explain to participants the benefits of enrollment in the program.

She added that for new facilities, the CRDC can help with licensing with the program, allowing the CACFP meals to be served as soon as the center opens its doors.

Johnson said programs like CACFP can help keep care costs for families low.

“If we can help offset the cost of feeding the children, if we can help make sure that those childcare providers are serving USDA nutritious meals and snacks to the children or to the adults while they’re in care, that’s a win-win,” she said.

For additional information about the program, call 870-802-7106 or email jennifer@crdcnea.com.

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