At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component

USDA regulations define an afterschool program as one that provides an approved nonresidential enrichment program in an eligible area to participants during afterschool hours. Emergency shelter sites may be eligible without regard to its location.

Organizations that operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the summer are encouraged to participate in the At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program during the school year. Participation in both programs can benefit the organization and community by providing year-round services to participants. Refer to the Summer Food Service Program versus At-Risk Afterschool Program Comparison Chart for the differences and similarities between the two programs.

Eligible organizations must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or meet state/local health and safety standards when exempt for childcare license by DCF. A copy of the following documents must be submitted for these sites:

• Current fire inspection report
• Current occupancy permit
• Group Child Care License Exemption Form - PI-6016
• Most recent health department’s inspection report

These documents are not required for sites that operate within schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and follow the schools’ standard operating procedures.

Organizations must be one of the following:

• Private Non-Profit: must have Federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.
• Public: must be part of an entity recognized as “public” by the State or Federal Government. This includes public schools, public universities and technical colleges, and Indian reservations.

Eligible organizations must operate afterschool or enrichment programs that:

• Are located in the attendance area of a public school building with Free/ Reduced Data of 50% or more, as published in the most current Wisconsin Public School Free/ Reduced Eligibility Data Report (October 2024).
  • Once established, this eligibility remains in effect for five years.
• Provide drop-in or enrolled programs during afterschool hours, on weekends, holidays, and school vacations (e.g. spring break) during the regular school year, in an organized, structured, and supervised environment.
  • Sites that provide afterschool programs year-round may be eligible to participate during the summer only when located in the attendance area of a school operating on a year-round schedule.
• Provide educational or enrichment activities during the program, such as homework, tutoring, supervised athletic activities, drama, and chess.
• Are open to all children/youth. There is no requirement that all children/youth receiving meals participate in the scheduled activities; the activities just need to be available to all.

• School-age youth through age 18, including those who are 18 years old at the start of the school year
• Individuals who meet the definition of "persons with disabilities" regardless of age
• Members of school sports teams and clubs who do not participate directly in the program’s enrichment activities, but remain onsite while consuming the meal that is provided as part of the afterschool program’s scheduled activities

Meals and snacks must meet CACFP meal pattern requirements: CACFP Meal Pattern (Ages 1-18)

Meals may include:

• Supper and/or PM snack served after the end of the regular school day
• Any one meal (breakfast, lunch, or supper) and/or one snack served on weekends, holidays, and school vacations (e.g. spring break)

Programs receive reimbursement for claimed meals and snacks. All meals and snacks claimed in an At-Risk Afterschool Program are reimbursed at the free rate. For the most current Free rate of reimbursement, refer to Guidance Memorandum 2: CACFP Reimbursement Rates.

• Sites cannot receive reimbursement for meals served to adults, including program and non-program adults.
• Programs must spend all reimbursement received on allowable CACFP costs.