Resource categories: CACFP & Hunger

Young girl in a gray hoodie eating a peach outdoors with green grass in the background.

Report: A Study to Determine the Feasibility of Establishing an Alternative Child and Adult Care Food Program Eligibility Process for Family, Friend and Neighbor Caregivers in Colorado

Family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers are a critical part of Colorado’s early-childhood ecosystem — yet many are locked out of federal nutrition support. This new feasibility study explores how the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can be made more accessible for these license-exempt caregivers. The study examines legal frameworks, caregiver experiences, and

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Two young children sit at a table, one eating and the other talking, both wearing light-colored hoodies.

Implementation Guide: Linking FFN Caregivers to the CACFP Program

This implementation guide is intended to be used by public leaders at the state level responsible for child care and food program administration and by community organizations and advocates working on behalf of vulnerable children and families. The guide offers a pathway toward realizing the goal of family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregiver participation in

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Two young girls talk to a woman in a hijab; one girl holds up a clipboard with a menu chart.

Cook County, Illinois, Case Study of Success: FFN Participation in CACFP

The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is designed to reimburse child care programs for healthy meals and snacks served. But eligibility for participation and successful documentation of compliance with program requirements has been a challenge for the estimated 5 million family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers who look after 11.5 million children.

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Five young children sit at a table, using tongs to pick up pretzels and apple slices from plates.

Revised CACFP Rates Don’t Make a Dent: What to know about the new rates and the implications of new federal policies

Despite a small 2.23% increase in CACFP reimbursement rates for 2025–26, HBCC providers are still struggling to cover rising food and operational costs. The updated rates add just a few cents per meal. Meanwhile, new federal policies threaten to reduce eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, putting further strain on providers and limiting access to nutritious food for kids. This blog breaks down what’s changed, why it matters, and what’s at stake for child care providers and families alike.

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Expanding Access to the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program for Immigrant Family, Friend and Neighbor Care Providers in Colorado

This report explores the unique role and challenges faced by immigrant Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers in Colorado, who provide essential child care for over half of the state’s children under age five. Despite their importance, these caregivers face significant obstacles in accessing federal support through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which reimburses child care providers for nutritious meals served to children. Many immigrant FFN caregivers, who are often license-exempt and care for children informally, face barriers to CACFP access, including fears of deportation, bureaucratic complexity, and language barriers.

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