Family Services, CACFP

Las Cruces , New Mexico

Services Provided

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

The Child and Adult Care Food Program was created to provide cash reimbursements to family child care providers for the cost of providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children for whom they care. HELP-NM is one of a dozen sponsor agencies around the state who recruit, assess, train and supervise the family child care providers and who insure that state and national USDA regulations are being followed. To qualify for this program a provider needs to care for at least one child who lives outside their home. Depending on their status, a provider can receive between $100 - $800 per month in food reimbursement.  HELP-NM, CACFP has 1200 family homes in 15 counties serving approximately 5,000 children daily. Providers receive three home visits, in home support services, 6 hours of annual training in child development, health and safety and nutrition and meal planning assistance. In excess of $3 million a year is sent to these homes in the form of monthly reimbursement check which provides a tax-free source of revenue for them. This effort is funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).