Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program pays cash reimbursements to in-home child care providers for the cost of nutritious meals and snacks for children under their care. HELP-NM is the largest and oldest sponsor Agency (we’re one of 13 throughout the state) that recruits, assesses, trains and supervises in-home child care providers and insures that State and national USDA regulations are being followed.

How do I qualify?

• Any home-based daycare provider who cares for at least one child who does not reside in the home qualifies

How much money can I get?

• Depending on how many children are being cared for (from one to four are allowed) and the number of meals served, a provider can receive between $100 - $800 per month in food reimbursement

How often am I paid?

• Checks are mailed once a month to providers

What else is required?

• Primary requirements include a background check, properly installed and operating smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• Additionally, six hours of training per year in child development, health and safety, and nutrition and meal planning assistance is required. Trainings are provided free of charge through CACFP staff

What can HELP-NM, CACFP offer me?

• HELP-NM pays providers approximately $4 million per year in tax-free reimbursements
• Providers receive four home visits, in-home support services, and services in English and Spanish
• Ten CACFP offices serve 15 counties
• Experienced, courteous, bilingual staff, many who have worked with the program since its inception
• HELP-NM is the oldest and largest CACFP sponsor in the State of New Mexico
• Free fingerprinting prepared by the CACFP staff (note: there is a State fee for the background check)

HELP-NM CACFP sponsors 1200 in-home daycare providers in 15 counties serving approximately 7,000 children daily. This invaluable program is funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you are interested in learning more about CACFP, please contact Phyllis Tabet at 505-766-4938 or via e-mail at phyllis@helpnm.com.

Long -Term CACFP Plans:

HELP-NM CACFP hopes to expand its services to include the following within the next few years:

• Monthly trainings for daycare providers and/or parents, including limited-budget nutritional tips, childcare safety, and hands-on cooking experience
• An online directory of nutritious recipes
• A bilingual web page
• Toll free help line which will include bilingual recipes, safety tips and workshop alerts
• A user-friendly online resource center for current CACFP providers that would provide forms and training information that can be easily downloaded
• Supply of smoke detectors, First Aid Kits, and fire extinguishers at low or no cost
• Extensive outreach and recruitment in rural and Native American lands

Wish List:

• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• First Aid Kits
• Collection of nutritious recipes
• 4x4 All Terrain Vehicle
• Cell phones
• Additional funding is also necessary to pay for the website enhancements for the provider’s resource center, online directory, helpline and development of monthly trainings.

If you or someone you know can assist us with our wish list please contact Phyllis Tabet at 505-766-4938 or via e-mail at phyllis@helpnm.com.

CIVIL RIGHTS STATEMENT:  The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs & activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
To file a complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer