Sponsor Stories: CACFP Challenges Through the Lens of Closed Sponsors

Young girl sitting at a table, smiling and holding a carrot stick, with a plate of vegetables in front of her.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a critical federal entitlement program that helps ensure children in eligible care settings have access to nutritious meals and snacks. For home-based child care providers, participation in CACFP is only possible through sponsoring organizations that manage reimbursement, compliance, and administrative requirements on their behalf.

This report examines why some CACFP sponsors have chosen to close and what those closures mean for home-based providers. Drawing on interviews from former sponsors across multiple states, it highlights the operational, financial, and staffing challenges that have contributed to sponsor exits—and the resulting impacts on providers’ ability to access the program.

Read the full report

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Why it matters to celebrate and honor Hispanic and Latino heritage

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The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is particularly important for the early care and education (ECE) field. For over 25 years, Jacqueline Chávez has provided child care to her community as a family child care provider.
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A woman in a patterned scrub top reads an open picture book to two children.

Celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Hispana: Porque debemos celebrar y honrar la herencia hispana y latina

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La celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana es particularmente importante para el sistema del cuidado infantil. Por más de 25 años, Jacqueline Chávez ha brindado cuidado infantil bilingüe a su comunidad como una proveedora de cuidado infantil familiar.
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Two figures hold a house with a child inside; banners read “Universal Child Care” and “Built From Home.”.

Cuidado Infantil Universal, Construido desde el Hogar: Una visión de cómo podría ser el cuidado infantil universal cuando comienza con los proveedores en los que más confían las familias

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Durante los últimos meses, el equipo de Home Grown ha trabajado con líderes del sector y con nuestras comunidades asesoras para definir un conjunto de principios sobre cómo debería ser un sistema de cuidado infantil universal que integre plenamente el cuidado infantil en entornos domésticos. El resultado es nuestro primer borrador de una visión compartida: Cuidado infantil universal, construido desde el hogar.
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