Facilitators and barriers to family child care home participation in the U.S. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Facilitators and barriers to family child care home participation in the U.S. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Blog Article

This paper describes facilitators, barriers, and potential strategies to promote participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) by family child care homes (FCCHs).This descriptive study occurred from January-May 2022 in Arizona and New York, two states with varying levels Online of CACFP participation.Stakeholders from three state-level CACFP-administering agencies, representatives of six sponsor organizations, and 23 FCCH providers (70% CACFP, 30% non-CACFP) participated in interviews.

Facilitators of CACFP participation included the simple enrollment, technical assistance from ELDERBERRY COCKTAIL sponsors, software provided by sponsors, and incentives from state agencies.Barriers included perceptions that CACFP paperwork would be burdensome, lack of access to sponsors, and challenges with meal pattern requirements.Recommended strategies to promote CACFP uptake included educating providers about CACFP, expanding outreach, and additional funding.

Efforts to address state-level disparities in FCCH participation in CACFP are needed.This study provides some insight into policy and systems changes that could be beneficial.