Sponsor Spotlight: Cheri Wood with Community Action Partners of North East Missouri
Sponsor of Family Child Care Homes and Head Start
August 4, 2026
Cheri Wood is the Nutrition Manager at Community Action Partners of North East Missouri (CAPNEMO). As a community action organization, CAPNEMO operates many different programs. Head Start and Early Head Start make up the largest portion of their operations, with seven centers located across five counties. CAPNEMO also operates programs for energy assistance, weatherization and housing in addition to numerous youth programs such as Steps to Success, the Voice Project, Youth Leadership Camp and the Skill Up program.
CAPNEMO has operated as a CACFP Sponsor for over 20 years. In their Head Start/Early Head Start centers, CAPNEMO serves meals to 200 children through the CACFP. They also sponsor 28 family child care homes in Northeast Missouri, ensuring nutritious meals for over 360 children. CAPNEMO is the only CACFP sponsoring organization in the northeast corner of Missouri, which is a very rural area. Without their commitment to the food program, the family homes in their area would not be able to access this critical program.
Cheri has always been committed to providing nutrition services, working both in nursing home and child care settings. When Cheri initially joined CAPNEMO in 2012, she began working in a Head Start classroom and was promoted to Center Director that same year. As Center Director, she worked closely with their nutrition team to ensure that CACFP-compliant meals were being served. In 2022, Cheri took on the role of Nutrition Manager, overseeing all aspects of the CACFP in their centers and the family homes they sponsor.
Cheri was well positioned to step into her new role. Although there was a learning curve in understanding the differences between the requirements for family homes and child care centers, she had an amazing mentor to help her navigate this transition. CAPNEMO has also been very supportive in ensuring Cheri has the knowledge and certification she needs to be successful.
Beyond program knowledge, Cheri believes the key to success in a CACFP sponsor role is to understand the purpose behind the work. By keeping the intended impact and desired outcomes in mind, individuals can approach their responsibilities more effectively and achieve greater success.
“CACFP is easier to navigate when you understand the reason behind it. Early on, I followed the process without really knowing why the work mattered. Taking the time to learn the program’s purpose changed my perspective and made implementation much smoother. Understanding the ‘why’ is essential to success.”
Through CACFP nutrition education and training, CAPNEMO-sponsored sites have come to recognize that the benefits of CACFP extend beyond improved child health outcomes, positively influencing the well-being of entire families.
“I have a lot of providers that have told me that they didn’t think they could stay open if they didn’t get help from the CACFP. I have a great group of providers that have really adopted the concepts of how nutrition affects behaviors and family lifestyle. They’ve said they’ve seen such a change and it wouldn’t have happened had we not had the knowledge we do from CACFP.
CAPNEMO’s Head Start/Early Head Start programs serve many children from low-income, food-insecure households. By participating in the CACFP, they are able to serve these children nutritious meals and introduce them to a variety of healthy foods. Parents also get peace of mind knowing that their children will be well-fed while they are at work or school.
“Our centers have been able to introduce children to a wider variety of nutritious foods that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to try. That support extends beyond the child and benefits the whole family. We often hear from parents, ‘At least I know my child is getting healthy, balanced meals here.’ Hearing that speaks volumes about the impact of the program.”
Cheri has recognized how the CACFP not only benefits the children, but their families as well. The nutrition education and resources Cheri shares with Head Start classrooms and family child care providers are also provided to parents, helping families support healthy eating at home.
Cheri is motivated to continue working in the CACFP to ensure that the impact of the CACFP is felt beyond the classroom and has lasting impacts on families and their community as a whole.
“One of the biggest things is helping families see that healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated. NCA's recipes are a great example. Many can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, and when parents see that, healthy meals feel much more achievable. The resources NCA provides have been invaluable for connecting not only with children, but with entire families.”
Cheri Wood has been with Community Action Partners of North East Missouri since 2012.