Child Care Food Program Manager

Receives Dept. of Health Awards

13 May 2008 - TW

Maritza Grajales, Manager of Lutheran Services Florida Child Care Food Program, was presented with two Certificates of Appreciation by the Florida Department of Health at their Annual Child Care Food Program Conference held at the Clearwater Hilton on April 29.  The two certificates were awarded for "Most Meals Served in 2007" and "Excellent Nutrition Practices."

LSF's Child Care Food Program ensures that children under the age of 13 who are in day care or in after school programs receive healthy, well-balanced food each day, thereby improving their diets and helping them build good eating habits.  To accomplish that, the program provides financial assistance to nonresidential, licensed family child care home providers in the form of reimbursement for each meal served daily to young children in their care.

"At the present time, CCFP has enrolled 505 licensed programs and served meals in April to 4,359 enrolled children," said Rubis Castro, LSF Director for the Tampa Bay Region.  She went on to explain that the program averages 224,769 meals a month, which is the largest such child care food program in the state of Florida.

"Martiza and her staff provide training and technical assistance and monitor the homes to ensure the homes are serving the meals in accordance to USDA guidelines," said Ms. Castro. The program is funded by the USDA and administered by the Florida Department of Health.

Ms. Castro also pointed out that the certificates awarded to Martiza represented the accomplishment of the entire CCFP staff.

"Under her direction, they've been able to accomplish this great thing, but it was a staff effort," said Ms. Castro. CCFP staff members are Nirsa Perez, Debbie Maysonet, Kira Rodriguez, Cristabel Rodriguez, and Becky Morris.

Attending the Annual Conference in Clearwater were the entire staff of LSF's Child Care Food Program, along with Rubis Castro as Regional Director.

 

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