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CACFP for Children & Youth in Homeless, Runaway and Domestic Violence Shelters: Outreach Toolkit

The Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federal entitlement, is an important resource for feeding children and youth in homeless and runaway shelters, domestic violence shelters and some transitional housing. Recently, Congress extended food program eligibility for children in shelters from up to 13 years of age to 18 and younger. Including teens in the program will allow runaway shelters to use the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The expansion will also allow the program to provide additional much needed support to homeless, domestic violence, and family shelters.

Shelters all over the country can use this program to bring much-needed benefits to children and youth. This site provides tools for state agencies, homeless, runaway, and domestic violence advocates, and anti-hunger groups to maximize the use of the homeless shelter option in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This site includes program information, outreach and training materials, research and background information and links to other important information and organizations.

If you have any questions or would like additional assistance, please contact Geri Henchy, at 202-986-2200, ext. 3025 or ghenchy@frac.org

Outreach Overview
Reaching Out to Homeless, Runaway, and Domestic Violence Shelters
Sample Cover Letter to Shelters
Model Newsletter Articles: "A New Resource for Feeding Children & Youth in Shelters" and "A Resource for Feeding Children & Youth in Domestic Violence Shelters"

Brochure
Brochure (PDF): New Federal Funds Available for Meals Served to Children and Youth in Shelters
Verison of brochure (PDF) with FRAC's contact information
Verison of brochure (Publisher format) for your organization to tailor.

Model Programs
Shepherd's Cove Shelter
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence

PowerPoint and Overhead Presentation
The Child and Adult Care Food Program: A Federal Resource for Feeding Homeless Children (PDF version for making overheads or PowerPoint version)

Program Basics
Homeless CACFP Fact Sheet
State Agency Contacts for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet on Children in Homeless Shelters: The Child and Adult Care Food Program: An Important New Resource for Feeding Children and Youth in Homeless Shelters
Fact Sheet on Children in Domestic Violence Shelters: The Child and Adult Care Food Program: An Important New Resource for Feeding Children and Youth in Domestic Violence Shelters

Menu and Meal Planning
The Child and Adult Care Food Program: The New Homeless Shelter Option-Meal and Snack Requirements
The Child and Adult Care Food Program: The New Homeless Shelter Option-Traditional Menu
The Child and Adult Care Food Program: The New Homeless Shelter Option- Hispanic-American Menu

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Program Guidance
USDA has issued regulations extending CACFP eligibility to emergency shelters that serve homeless teenagers and children without their families.
A document released August 10, 2004 that describes the change made in the 2004 Child Nutrition Reauthorization raising the CACFP age limit to 18 for residents in emergency shelters.
A document released March 14, 2000 that lists common questions and answers about shelters' participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and their answers.
A document released August 18, 1999 that clarifies that shelters participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program can also use government commodities.
A document released on March 30, 1999 that describes the basic guidelines for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program by homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Background Information on Homeless Children
Study Reports That Homeless Children Are In Crisis

Contact Lists for Outreach
State Agency Contacts for the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Agency State Contacts for The Emergency Food Assistance Program
State Contacts for Anti-Hunger Organizations
State Contacts for Homeless Organizations
State Contacts for Food Banks

Links
National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Coalition for the Homeless
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
National Network to End Domestic Violence