The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has joined forces with Advocates Against Domestic Assault, a nonprofit organization that operates a domestic violence shelter in Southern Colorado, to promote the Colorado Food Program. This initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to children and older adults in emergency shelters.
Advocates Against Domestic Assault has been involved with the Colorado Food Program for nearly two decades. The organization’s executive director, Charlene Tortorice, said, “The Colorado Food Program has been vital to the work we do. Not only does the program help us better afford food for the families we serve, it allows us to empower parents – especially mothers – to prepare meals, learn about nutrition, and pass those skills on to their children. Through this partnership, we also introduce kids to fruits and vegetables they may never have tasted before. It’s one more way we help them discover what safety, health, and hope can look like.”
Through the program, shelters such as Advocates Against Domestic Assault receive federal reimbursement for meals served to children under 18 years old. These meals meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards and are designed to ensure children in crisis situations receive adequate nutrition.
Naomi Steenson, director of the Colorado Food Program, stated, “Shelters are doing heroic work, and the Colorado Food Program is here to support them. We invite others operating emergency shelters in the state to consider applying.”
Emergency shelters serving children and families may qualify for participation in the program. Additional information is available at cdphe.colorado.gov/COFoodProgram.
Nationally known as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), this effort reimburses healthy meals and snacks provided by various institutions across Colorado including child care centers and homes; afterschool programs; emergency and homeless shelters; Head Start; Early Head Start; outside-school-hours programs; and adult day care centers. The United States Department of Agriculture funds CACFP while administration is handled by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Advocates Against Domestic Assault offers immediate and ongoing services for individuals and families affected by domestic or sexual violence.
For those seeking support related to domestic violence issues, assistance is available around-the-clock through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or online at https://www.thehotline.org/.
