Food insecurity among children and their families is a persistent national public health problem—one associated with a host of problems that affect children’s short- and long-term development. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which helps pay for nutritious meals for children in child care programs, is one of the key federal child nutrition programs designed to support children’s healthy nutrition and development.Our research focused on a major gap in the CACFP coverage and ability to reach children. Specifically, although it is allowed under CACFP law, relatively few states extend CACFP eligibility to children cared for by small home-based child care providers and friends and relatives who are legally exempt from their state’s child care licensing requirements—providers who care for 11.5 million children nationwide. Further, these providers disproportionately care for many vulnerable children including infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, children from immigrant families, families who face challenges affording child care, and families working nontraditional hours.
Authors
- Published in
- United States of America
