Participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can provide critical financial support to daycare homes and child care centers that serve nutritious meals and snacks to children. However, navigating the claims process can be complex, and errors can result in lost reimbursements or even noncompliance with program regulations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common claim errors that daycare homes and child care centers encounter and how to tackle them.
Daycare Homes’ Most Common Claim Errors
- Claiming Over Capacity: One of the most common errors daycare homes make is claiming children over their license or approved capacity. It is essential to enter attendance counts only for children who were served the meal and to follow DHS license capacity regulations.
- Pending Enrollment Forms: Did you know that you can enter a pending child’s enrollment information into KidKare before submitting signed forms to your Case Manager? This allows you to start marking meal counts and attendance the day a child enrolls. Remember to send in signed forms as soon as possible for activation.
- Expired Enrollment Forms: Income eligibility forms expire annually, and it’s easy to forget to have parents/guardians complete updated enrollment forms. Our Daily Bread CACFP helps you stay on top of enrollments by mailing new forms before they expire.
Child Care Centers’ Most Common Claim Errors
- Whole Grain Errors: At least one meal per day must have a whole grain-rich food component, and educators must serve a whole grain once per day. Always remember to select the “WG box” for whole grains on your menu in KidKare. If you forget to select the box, that meal may not be reimbursable when you file your claim.
- Expired Enrollment Forms: Income eligibility forms for child care centers also expire annually, and it’s important to have parents/guardians complete updated enrollment forms as soon as they arrive in the mail.
- Pending Enrollment Forms: KidKare/CX may not show pending or expired children on your roster. To avoid falling behind, try entering a pending child’s enrollment information into KidKare on the day they enroll. This allows you to start marking meal counts and attendance before submitting a signed enrollment form to your Case Manager.
In conclusion, tackling common claim errors in the CACFP requires attention to detail and a proactive approach. By being mindful of capacity regulations, keeping track of enrollment forms, and ensuring compliance with whole grain requirements, daycare homes and child care centers can maximize their reimbursements and provide nutritious meals to the children in their care.