Posts Tagged ‘Early Care and Education’
Achieving a State of Healthy Weight Report
The latest 2025 Annual Report: Achieving a State of Healthy Weight (ASHW) underscores the critical role that child care licensing regulations play in promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and obesity prevention in early care and education settings. Developed by the University of Colorado College of Nursing in partnership with the CDC, the report evaluates how all 50 states and Washington, D.C., align their licensing requirements with 47 evidence-based High-Impact Obesity Prevention Standards (HIOPS).
Read MoreSponsor Spotlight: Kelly Cahill with Day Care Connection
For nearly 30 years, Kelly Cahill has dedicated her career to supporting family child care providers through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). As Executive Director of Day Care Connection in Lenexa, Kansas, she leads an organization that serves approximately 300 family child care homes across 17 counties, ensuring that more than 2,200 children receive nutritious meals every day.
Read MoreOff-Site Monitoring in FY27
Back to Blog Back to Blog Off-Site Monitoring in FY27 November 5, 2026 USDA has the authority to waive statutory or regulatory program requirements for Child Nutrition Programs. State Agencies can submit a 12(l) waiver application to USDA in order to allow for flexibilities, including off-site monitoring, in their state. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2024, USDA began…
Read MoreHealthy Sips: Understanding Juice in the CACFP
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends water and milk as the best drink choices for young children. While 100% juice can be part of a healthy diet, it should be limited and served wisely. Our partners at ICN review the CACFP juice requirements and highlights what counts as juice, when and how to serve it, and why limiting juice helps support children’s health.
Read MoreCalm and Connect Tips
This busy season can bring about big emotions—for both young kids and grownups! But no need to be scared. These Vroom Tips to Calm and Connect support regulation skills before, during, and after the feelings hit.
Read MoreSponsors: Why Should a Provider Choose You?Â
Back to Blog Back to Blog Sponsors: Why Should a Provider Choose You? October 21, 2026 As a sponsor, you provide training, technical assistance and ongoing support that help providers succeed. The guidance your team provides, along with the help managing paperwork and claims, allows them to focus on the children and adults in their…
Read MoreNebraska Advocates Push for the Elimination of Tiering
Nebraska advocates have shown what is possible when providers, state leaders, and advocates come together around a shared goal. In a major win for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Nebraska Legislature unanimously passed LR296, a resolution urging Congress to eliminate CACFP tiering and provide additional reimbursement for all family child care providers.
Read MoreNew Institutions’ Participation in the CACFP
USDA issued guidance encouraging State agencies to strengthen their review of organizations seeking to participate in the CACFP. The memorandum emphasizes thorough screening, documentation, and oversight during the application process to prevent fraud, waste, and program abuse while ensuring that only qualified organizations are approved to operate the Program.
Read MoreCACFP Recordkeeping
Accurate recordkeeping is key to meeting the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements and ensuring your program’s success. Clear and accurate records help you get reimbursed and stay in compliance. Our partners at ICN provide a list of CACFP recordkeeping requirements to help you stay on track.
Read MoreSponsor Spotlight: Anglene Joe with Navajo Head Start
As Health and Nutrition Specialist for the Navajo Nation Tribal Government Head Start, Anglene Joe helps ensure that children across one of the largest tribal nations in the United States have access to healthy meals, cultural connections and the foundation they need to thrive.
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