For Immediate Release:
August 6, 2008

Contact:
Nanci Gonder, Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State Health Department Announces Income Guidelines for 2009 Food Programs

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced the 2008-09 federal income guidelines that are used to determine whether families are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at participating facilities. The Child and Adult Care Food Program reimburses these child and adult day care facilities and emergency shelters for meals served to clients who meet these guidelines.

More than 3,000 facilities in Missouri participate in the program each year. The program provides reimbursement to:

• child care facilities for meals served to children age birth through 12 years,
• after-school programs and family emergency shelters that provide meals to school-age children, and
• adult day care programs.

Approximately $40 million will be paid to participating facilities in Missouri in 2008.

Income eligibility guidelines, which are in effect from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, can be found at: www.dhss.mo.gov/dnhs_pdfs/CACFPIncomeGuide08-09.pdf.

Participants are eligible for free or reduced-priced meal rates if:

• their family’s income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines,
• they are members of households receiving benefits through Temporary Assistance or the Food Stamp program, or
• they are enrolled in adult care facilities and receive Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. 

Application forms for reimbursement for free or reduced-price meals can be obtained from and returned to aparticipating facility. Individuals may contact their child or adult day care facility or a family day care home sponsor in their area to find out if it is participating in the program. Child and adult day care facilities that are interested in participating can contact the DHSS Bureau of Community and Nutrition Assistance toll-free at 800-733-6251.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the participating institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.