To join the CACFP as a Texas day home, you enroll through a sponsoring organization like Nutriservice — you can’t apply to the state directly. The sponsor signs a permanent agreement with you (Form H1542), submits your application to the Texas Department of Agriculture, trains you on the meal patterns, and files your monthly reimbursement claims. If your day home is licensed or registered, you can usually be enrolled and claiming within weeks.
The steps, start to finish
- Be authorized to provide care. Your home must be licensed or registered with Texas child care licensing (or have a documented exemption). CACFP doesn’t replace your license — it sits on top of it.
- Choose a sponsor. Texas day homes participate through sponsoring organizations. Nutriservice has sponsored Texas day homes for more than 33 years — call 972-772-3200 and we’ll walk you through what to gather.
- Sign the Permanent Agreement (Form H1542). This is the sponsor-provider agreement, signed before anything goes to the state.
- We submit your application to TDA. Your sponsor enters the application in the state system and keeps the paperwork on file.
- Complete your training. We train you on USDA meal patterns, menus, meal counts, and recordkeeping — see our self-study training.
- Start serving and claiming. Serve meals that meet the pattern, keep your counts, and we submit your claim each month and pass through your reimbursement.
Tier I or Tier II — what you’ll be paid
Your sponsor determines your tier when you enroll. Tier I (higher rates) applies if your home is in an area that qualifies under CACFP rules, or your own household income qualifies. Tier II applies otherwise. See the current numbers on our CACFP reimbursement rates page — a Tier I home serving breakfast, lunch, and a snack to six children can earn meaningful monthly reimbursement for food you’re already serving.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to join?
No — there’s no fee to enroll with Nutriservice. Sponsors are funded by the program to administer it.
How long does enrollment take?
Typically a few weeks from signed agreement to approval, depending on state processing. You can’t claim meals served before your effective date, so start the paperwork early.
What records do I have to keep?
Daily attendance, meal counts, and menus. We train you on all of it and provide the forms — most providers spend a few minutes a day on records.
Ready to start?
Nutriservice, Inc. sponsors day homes across Texas from our Rockwall office. Contact us or call 972-772-3200 and ask for the day home enrollment packet.