What is the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?

• The CACFP is federally funded by the Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Department of Public Health and Human Services is the State agency which administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Montana.
• The program plays a vital role in assuring the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults, and making care more affordable for many low-income families.
• The CACFP provides cash reimbursement for serving meals to enrolled participants that meet Federal nutritional guidelines, outlined in the CACFP meal pattern.  Participating institutions may be approved to claim up to two reimbursable meals (breakfast, lunch, and supper) and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, to each eligible participant, each day.
• The State agency:
  • provides consultative, technical and managerial personnel to administer the program in the state
  • provides sufficient training and technical assistance to institutions
  • monitors program performance
  • facilitates the expansion of the program
  • ensures effective operation of the program by participating institutions
• The program currently serves participants in Montana statewide in all counties and all Indian Reservations. Each day in the United States, 3.2 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP.

The CACFP encourages participating institutions to:

• Offer a wide variety of nutritious foods.
• Use fresh foods and locally grown foods when possible.
• Develop menus and recipes that include cultural considerations.
• Serve meals that follow the US Dietary Guidelines.
• Serve meals family style.
• Support breastfeeding or use of breast milk for infant feeding, or serve iron-fortified infant formula. Milk is served with meals for children age one and above.

Who is Eligible for CACFP meals?

• Children age 12 and under
• Migrant children age 15 and younger
• Adults who are 60 or older, or who are physically or mentally impaired to the extent that limits their independence and ability to carry out activities of daily living
• Youths through age 18 in afterschool programs in needy areas

What institutions qualify for the program?

Applicants must be: a Licensed Child Care Center, Head Start Program, Adult Day Care Center, After School Program, or Homeless Shelter serving children.  CACFP encourages other institutions to inquire.

• Non-profit programs must provide proof of non-profit status.
• For-profit programs must have at least 25% of their attendance during each month be of participants with income eligibility in either a Free or Reduced category.  These categories are based on USDA’s Income Eligibility Guidelines.

What Type of Institutions Participate in CACFP?

• Child Care Centers: licensed or approved public or private nonprofit child care centers, head start programs, and for-profit centers serve meals to large numbers of children.  Day Care Centers must sign an agreement with the state agency to participate in CACFP.  Centers must be licensed with the Montana DPHHS Quality Assurance Division to provide day care services.  Reimbursement for meals served in centers is based upon income eligibility. 
• Day Care Homes: family day care homes of 6 children or less and group day care homes of 12 children or less that receive nonresidential day care in approved private homes.  A family or group day care home must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization to participate in CACFP. Day care homes must be registered with the Montana DPHHS Quality Assurance Division to provide day care services. Reimbursement for meals served in day care homes is based upon eligibility for Tier I rates (which targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or lower Tier II rates.
• Outside School Hours Care Centers (OSHCC): centers provide meals and snacks to school-age children and youth.
• Special After School Snack Programs (SASS): centers in low-income areas provide free snacks to school-age children and youth during the school year.
• Homeless Shelters: emergency shelters provide residential and food services to homeless children.
• Adult Day Care Centers: public, private, non-profit, and some for-profit adult day care facilities provide structured, comprehensive services to functionally impaired nonresident adults.

How are Meals Reimbursed?

The meal reimbursement rates are federal rates that are published annually.  Participating institutions receive reimbursement for meals on a monthly basis.  Reimbursements are based on the number of meals served to enrolled children, multiplied by the appropriate reimbursement rate for each breakfast, lunch, supper, or snacks they are approved to serve. The State Agency receives, approves, and processes claims. Monthly reimbursement payments can be directly deposited into a bank account.

Center participants must qualify on the basis of household income eligibility. 

Day Care Homes must be qualified by sponsoring organizations who will categorize providers as Tier I or Tier II homes based on school or census data or provider’s household income.  Income information is kept confidential at all times.

For additional information, contact the Montana CACFP:

Child and Adult Care Food Program
PO Box 202925
Helena, MT 59620-2925
(406) 444-4347
In-state Toll free:  1-888-307-9333

Mary A. Musil, MS, RD, Program Manager
mmusil@mt.gov

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash assistance to low-income families with children while they strive to become self-sufficient. The program's goal is to reduce the number of families living in poverty, through employment and community resources

To qualify for TANF, families must have very few assets and little or no income. The current maximum monthly benefit for a family of three is $528. 

You can apply for TANF by downloading an application and instructions below.  You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view these PDF files. You can download the free software at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

These application forms should be printed and filled out by hand and then brought or sent to a local DHS Self-sufficiency office.

Other services

Many families in the TANF program receive help with needs such as employment, housing, child care, domestic violence and other factors that affect family stability.

Pre-TANF

The intent of the Pre-TANF Program is to provide initial screening and case management to families applying for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This may include cash assistance as necessary to complete the plan and meet basic living expenses when other resources are not available.

Before Pre-TANF Program services begin, an assessment of the immediate unmet needs and strengths of the whole family is completed, eligibility is determined for Food Stamps and TANF-related medical benefits, and TANF eligibility factors are reviewed for presumed eligibility. A family may remain in the Pre-TANF program for as little as one day or up to 45-days, depending on the family's situation. 

Pre-TANF includes an orientation on activities and services available in the local area. Case workers and other agency partners will assist clients in identifying family strengths as well as needs.  While in Pre-TANF clients will:

• Learn about other resources that may be available, like child support or SSI (Social Security)
• Use job search and job readiness activities to find and prepare for work.
• Learn more about how to get the job they want.

In Pre-TANF, DHS can help pay for childcare and transportation while clients look for work. DHS can also help pay for items needed to start a job. Examples include uniforms, special tools and car repairs.

Post-TANF Program

The goal of the Post-TANF program is to provide parents who become ineligible for TANF due to income, a monthly grant of $100 for up to one year.  Post-TANF clients must stay employed and work a minimum number of hours per week.  This grant will help families with transitional expenses of employment.  There is an income cap of 250% of the federal poverty level. 

Some other services that may assist families are:

• Family Support & Connections
• Alcohol or drug assessment and treatment
• Child care
• Domestic violence
• Disability benefits
• JOBS employment and training program
• Housing
• Mental health assessment and treatment
• Medical care

The TANF program is administered by the Children, Adults and Families (CAF) Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS). All services are provided through local DHS offices.

In addition, the Department of Human Services (DHS) works with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help clients obtain child support from absent parents.  For help getting child support payments, contact Department of Justice.

Also see:   

• Oregon Helps, a Web site that can help you find out if you might be eligible for several programs that serve families and children.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Policy

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
P.O. Box 937, Route 612
Verona, VA 24482
Phone: (540) 248-3663

Capital Area Food Bank
645 Taylor Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-2063

Central Virginia Foodbank, Inc.
1415 Rhoadmiller Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 521-2500

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
PO Box 1940
Norfolk, VA 23501
Phone: (757) 627-6599

FoodBank of the Virginia Peninsula
9912 Hosier Street
Newport News, VA 23601
Phone: (757) 596-7188

Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
3631 Lee Hill Dr
Fredericksburg, VA 22402
Phone: (540) 371-7666

Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank
PO Box 10743
Roanoke, VA 24022-0743
Phone: (540) 342-3011
Fax: (540) 342-0056

Hello, Here is an update for the Sacramento Valley resources. We have created a directory of Faith-based and community-based resources in Sacramento, CA. The Sacramento Community Resources Directory 2011 Edition You may view the directory online, print it entirely or print just the chapters you want. Also, no repent permission is needed, so you may reproduce the information in any way as long as you do not sell it. Sacramento Community Family Resources Updated Information and Referrals

CLICK HERE

For Webstite:

CLICK HERE

For website,location and hours for Open Doors.

Open Doors of Washington Township -Food Pantry/Clothing

Provides emergency food and clothing assistance for low income Washington Township of Hamilton County residents. Picture ID required, proof of address and last pay stub. Assistance once every thirty days.

CLICK HERE

The link to read about a church in the San Gabriel Valley, CA. And to learn of location and hours.

In these hard times when people don't have enough money to meet the basic needs it is great that Rev. John Johnson comes to create Economic Relief Center for the residents of this valley. See the link which cities are covered and may those reading get the food and clothing they need.

The church pays for this food they get from Los Angeles food bank and it includes meat, vegetables and non perishable food. 

Hi best mommy, There are some 'title' places that do loans on your vehicle. That is, if you have those in your area or near by. They are prevelant in large cities. You could also go to some Pawn shops, they may give you a loan. I'm not sure. But, you could ask them if they know of someone who does title loans. Good luck.

silverman, Thank you for your advice, your time spent to write me is truly appreciated. I knew that my father in heaven would send me one of his angels to help guide me. I will try and contact these places right away. (wohlfgrl3 at yaho dot com) May God be with you, Tammy

I am truly sorry to hear abour your plight. I know what it is to worry about where your next dollar is going to come from. Here are some ideas for help: -Apply for food stamps -Apply for HEAP to help pay your heating bill -Contact your local Salvation Army. They often have funds for people in need -Make sure to apply for unemployment insurance (if you qualify) -If your children are uninsured, contact your state's CHIP program (they all have one) that will provide low cost or free health insurance for your children Also, please provide me your email address. I hope some of these ideas help. Finally, check out my posting at: http://some-financial-help.app -silverman-1.aidpage.com/some- financial-help/

Hi,

I need help please.  I lost my employment and have two children to feed.  I am drug and desease free, can work and am now looking for a new job. 

I need help with only bills and food for now.  Should not need it very long.  I am willing to put my vehicle up for a loan, but need help with how to do it. It is a 2004 dodge ram 1500, perfect shape and paid for.  Title in hand.

The landlord wants his money (not a nice man) and the power is close to being cut off, along with the water. My children need food. 

Even some direction or advice is welcome.

Please help me find what to do next.  Even if I start a job this week, I can't get the money I need to pay these bills. Will work for a loan, or put up truck.

Many Blessings to you,

Tammy