Child and Adult Care Food Program Training

Contact Information

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

360-725-6200
TTY: 360-664-3631

Staff Contacts

To participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), all sponsors must meet minimum training requirements.

Mandatory Trainings

  • Intro to CACFP- This technical assistance workshop is required for all NEW sponsors.
  • Annual Training- This training occurs yearly. For more information, sign up for our CNS Updates to stay in the loop!
  • Civil Rights- This training is an annual requirement for all CACFP sponsors and their employees.
Intro to CACFP Training- Required for All New Sponsors

Intro to CACFP Training for New Institutions

New organizations must attend training on program requirements prior to approval of the application. Failure to attend a training workshop will result in the application not being approved in a timely manner.

Your program specialist can help you register for the training, and will share details about dates and times.

Fiscal Year 2024–25 (FY25) Child and Adult Care Food Program Annual Training Requirements - All Sponsor Types

Who Must Attend Annual Training?

  • All institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
  • All institutions planning to participate in the CACFP in FY25.
  • At a minimum, the person responsible for oversight of the CACFP must attend. This training is intended for directors and administrators.

How do I Complete the Annual Training Requirements?

All CACFP sponsors must certify completion of all training requirements when submitting their FY 2024–25 (FY25) sponsor application in WINS. Use the FY25 CACFP Annual Training Checklist to help ensure your training requirements are met.

Training requirements include:

1. Watch and/or Attend In-Person Required Trainings

Required annual training is available virtually in Canvas, and if applicable to your program type, held in-person. You will need to create a free account to access these trainings. To complete training requirements, you must enroll in the course and complete all applicable training requirements. The FY25 CACFP Annual Training Checklist will provide registration details.

Access Training Modules in Canvas

If you do not have a Canvas account, please create an account and join the course using this link.

 
2. Complete Requirements and Obtain Your Certificates
  1. Certify completion at the end of the Canvas Module after you have viewed the recorded trainings per your sponsor type.
  2. Once you certify completion of the training, a training certificate will be available to print.
    • You may download and print your certificate. Retain this documentation for your records.
    • The person completing the FY25 CACFP sponsor application will certify sponsor staff will complete all required annual training in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) Sponsor Application.
    • We will not ask for a copy of your certificate during renewal but may ask for it during administrative reviews.
Civil Rights - Required Annually

Civil Rights Training is an annual requirement for all CACFP sponsors and their employees.

Civil Rights Training

  • OSPI CNS Civil Rights Training- This training meets Annual Training requirements for sponsor directors and administrators and reviews the required components for Sponsors to train their staff.
    • To access and complete this training, please refer to the "Annual Training" dropdown for more details.
  • ICN's Civil Rights Training Course- a free eLearning portal course for any staff member! This session reviews Civil Rights requirements and how customer service plays a role in nondiscrimination.

Reference Sheets

Requirements for Training Your Staff

Optional Training to Enhance Your Program

Staff Training - Use these trainings with your staff

CACFP Knowledge Boosters from OSPI

Create your Canvas account and access the CACFP training.

These sessions are meant to enhance CACFP knowledge. Sessions Available:

  • Study Month
  • CACFP Meal Patterns
    • Special Dietary Needs
    • Whole-Grain Rich
  • Infant Meals
  • Multiple Site Sponsors
  • Claiming for Reimbursement in CACFP
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Serving Preschool Meals in School District Settings

The Institute of Child Nutrition

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs. They offer multiple training avenues and resources to help support your programs.

  • ICN E-Learning Portal - free self-paced online courses for all staff members
    • Meal Pattern Requirements
    • Infant Meal Pattern Requirements
    • Menu Planning in Child Care
    • Basic Culinary Math
    • Food Safety in Child Care
    • Meal Patterns Weights and Measures
    • Nutrition 101
  • Request a Face-to-Face Group Training - ICN offers free group training on a broad range of topics for child nutrition professionals working in school nutrition and child care settings. Training may be requested free-of-charge for presentation at local sites throughout the country.
  • Request a Virtual Group Training - ICN offers free virtual group training and may be requested free-of-charge.

USDA Resources

  • CACFP Halftime: Thirty on Thursdays- free training webinars on hot topics related to the CACFP meal pattern requirements.
  • CACFP Trainers' Circle- interactive webinars focusing on tactics and techniques trainers can use to empower program operators with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality meals and snacks in the CACFP.
  • Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs- Learn about the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) Interactive Web Tool and FBG Mobile App. The FBG allows users to compare food yield information and the ability to create a favorite foods list.
  • Team Nutrition Resources- Team Nutrition supports the CACFP by providing training for child care providers, nutrition education for children and families, and resources to support a healthier environment. Child care centers that participate in the federal child nutrition programs can request materials free of charge.
Breastfeeding in Your Centers

Many individuals stop breastfeeding their infants when they return to work or school. How can child care assist with and support the breastfeeding mother so she can continue to breastfeed? Child care providers that provide care to infants and center directors are the target audience for this training.

Planting the Seeds for a Healthy Future Garden Workshop

The curriculum for the Planting the Seeds for a Healthy Future Garden Workshop is provided in partnership with Seattle Tilth, USDA Team Nutrition, and is funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gardening With Kids

 

This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement but the U.S. Government.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

To file a complaint of discrimination, please contact:

USDA Director
Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY).

Additional Training Tools

Use these tools to help round out your trainings!