The benefits of CACFP participation for children in care of those who participate is a known factor. Especially now. Right now food insecurity rates are sky rocketing as a result of the economic consequences of the pandemic. For the providers participating in CACFP, they are giving children healthy meals they need more than ever. Take a look at the latest vlog "Responding to Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic" and additional resources from the Office of Head Start.
Another consequence of the enduring pandemic is an increase in provider costs as they continue to operate or try to reopen under the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines adopted by states based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations.
The National Center on Quality Assurance released a two page new brief "The New Normal: What is the Impact on Provider Costs." It shows why and how one could use the Provider Cost of Quality Calculator to understand the increased costs providers are facing right now.
It also shows the importance of CACFP as a revenue source. Learn more about and access the calculator here.
Recently, family child care tax and business expert, Tom Copeland presented at the CCFP Roundtable CACFP 2020 Virtual Conference "How Sponsors and Providers Can Rebuild During the Pandemic." He provided a number of resources and ideas to help CACFP Sponsors show and explain the importance of CACFP to child care providers. Links to his resources for retention and recruitment and slides from the presentation can be found here.
This calculator can help us tell the child care provider's financial stories and hardships as well as show that the CACFP is an important revenue source!
What are your thoughts? Do you think you can use this? Comment below or email coordinator@ccfproundtable.org.
Share your story with us! Click here. Read stories from around the CACFP Community here.