RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) supports families’ food security and nutrition by reimbursing child care providers for serving healthy food to young children. The CACFP is a federal program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is operated by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) partnered with Public Policy Associates (PPA), 1837 Partners, and the Michigan After School Partnership on a project to increase CACFP participation of child care providers in Michigan. The project was funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. PPA conducted the research activities for this project, including:
- A literature review
- Analysis of secondary data
- Six roundtables with 49 child care providers
- Nine interviews with program or policy experts
The recommendations in the report (below) could be implemented at the state level through administrative policy change from the MDE and Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) or through legislative action.
