WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to combat child hunger and provide nutritional support to families across the United States, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at improving early childhood nutrition. The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act seeks to expand the capacity of child care providers to offer more nutritious meals to children under their care, marking a significant step forward in the fight against child malnutrition and food insecurity.
Under the current system governed by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), child care providers are reimbursed for serving up to two meals and one snack to children each day. Senator Casey’s proposal would extend this to include reimbursement for three meals and one snack, providing crucial additional support to both children and child care providers.
“An additional meal can make all the difference to a child in need and a family under financial stress,” Senator Casey stated, highlighting the potential impact of this legislative change. The bill also proposes adjustments to the reimbursement rate calculation for child care homes, aiming to better reflect the reality of inflation and the increasing costs associated with providing nutritious meals.
CACFP plays a vital role in ensuring that nearly 4.7 million children, including over 115,000 in Pennsylvania alone, have access to the healthy meals they need for a strong start in life. Despite its importance, barriers such as insufficient reimbursement rates and cumbersome eligibility requirements have limited the program’s reach. By streamlining these processes and allowing for the provision of an additional meal, the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act promises to extend the benefits of CACFP to more children and care providers.
Senator Casey’s commitment to improving child nutrition is well-documented, with a history of legislative efforts aimed at expanding access to healthy meals for children. This includes securing substantial funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and introducing bills designed to enhance the effectiveness of CACFP and WIC during critical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key provisions of the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act include:
- Additional Meal Service: Granting child care centers the option to serve a fourth meal for children in care for eight or more hours.
- Updated Reimbursement Rate Adjustments: Aligning CACFP reimbursement rates for child care homes with the consumer price index for food away from home, ensuring rates keep pace with rising costs.
- Review of Serious Deficiency Process: Mandating a review by the USDA of the process used to identify care providers who fail to comply with program rules.
- Adjusted Eligibility Criteria: Simplifying certification for private child care centers by allowing annual rather than monthly certification.
- Advisory Committee on Paperwork Reduction: Establishing a committee focused on reducing paperwork and maximizing the use of technology in the administration of CACFP.
The implications of Senator Casey’s legislation are profound. By making it easier for child care providers to serve nutritious meals and reducing administrative burdens, the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act has the potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of millions of children across the nation. For families, this bill represents a beacon of hope, promising a future where no child goes hungry and every family has access to the support they need to thrive.
Senator Casey is joined by Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jack Reed (D-RI) as cosponsors of this bill. The legislation has garnered support from over 30 organizations, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Home Grown, National CACFP Sponsors Association, and ZERO TO THREE.
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