Become a Sponsor | Examples & Ideas | Frequently Asked Questions

School Nutrition Programs:
After School Care Program

The After School Care Program, part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), provides reimbursements to schools and residential centers for nutritious snacks served to children who participate in afterschool education or enrichment programs. By providing reimbursements for the service of snacks to children, this program helps support high-quality afterschool care for school-age children and youth.

To be eligible to participate in the afterschool snack program, sponsors must provide educational or enrichment activities in an organized, structured, and supervised environment after the end of the school day. The school or residential center must also operate the lunch component of the NSLP.

In locations deemed .area eligible,. snacks are served free to all participating children. Area eligible programs are located where at least 50 percent of enrolled children are certified as eligible for free or reduced price meals. Schools or sites not meeting these criteria may also participate as .traditional. afterschool programs whereby snacks are available to children free or at low cost based on individual children.s eligibility status, i.e., free, reduced price or paid.

Snacks served to children must be healthful and contribute to their nutrition needs. At a minimum, they must provide at least two different types of food from the following four: (1) fluid milk; (2) meat or meat alternate; (3) vegetables or fruits or full-strength vegetable or fruit juice; and (4) whole-grain or enriched bread or cereal.

For more information about the After School Care Program in West Virginia call or write:
West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Child Nutrition
Building 6, Room 248
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
Phone: 304-558-4856
or email Gus Nelson gnelson@access.k12.wv.us