• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meals 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits 

• Home-delivered meals for seniors and individuals with disabilities 

2. Regulations 

Meal & Nutrition Services are governed by various regulations, including: 

• 10 CCR 2505-10 for Medicaid-related services 

• 1 CCR 301-3 for school food and nutrition services 

• 8 CCR 1402-1-2.224 for child care facility food and nutrition 

3. Licensing or Certification 

Requirements vary by program: 

• School meal providers must have an approved agreement with the Colorado Department of Education 

• Childcare facilities must comply with USDA and CACFP requirements 

• Medically tailored meal providers may need to meet specific qualifications set by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing 

4. Responsible State Agency 

Multiple agencies oversee different aspects of Meal & Nutrition Services: 

• Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) for Medicaid-related services 

• Colorado Department of Education for school meal programs 

• Colorado Department of Human Services for SNAP 

5. Application Process 

Application processes vary by program: 

• SNAP applications can be submitted online, via mobile app, or through paper forms 

• School meal applications are typically provided at the beginning of each school year 

• The Colorado Food Program application is conducted through an online portal 

6. Required Documentation 

Common required documents include: 

• Proof of income 

• Proof of identity 

• Medical necessity documentation (for medically tailored meals) 

• Meal pattern compliance documentation (for school and child care meals) 

7. Timeline for Approval 

Timelines vary by program: 

• The Colorado Food Program application process generally takes several months 

• SNAP applications should be processed within 30 days 

8. Pre-Application Process 

Some programs have pre-application steps: 

• The Colorado Food Program requires completion of an intake form before starting the full application 

9. Pre-Application Training 

Training requirements vary by program and are not specifically mentioned for all services. 

10. Additional Notes 

• Colorado is exploring the inclusion of nutrition services in Medicaid coverage to address health-related social needs 

• Medically tailored meals have shown potential for reducing healthcare costs and improving outcomes for people with severe illnesses 

• School meals are available free or at reduced prices for eligible students 

• SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers