On August 8, 2016, Child Care Aware^® of America formerly launched a Child Care Information Poll. The poll generated 255 responses from parents around the nation. We would like to thank all who participated in and shared this poll. We also congratulate the winner of the $50 gift card drawing, awarded to a parent located in Tampa, Florida.

Child Care Aware^® of America collected responses from households of various sizes, income and education levels. Overall, 88% of respondents have children under five years of age.

Over 1.3 million fires were reported in the United States last year. Fires have a significant impact on children, parents and child care providers. On average, every day 293 children are injured and at least one child dies from fire. Each year approximately 325 fires occur in child care centers. As we focus on fire prevention in October, we begin with one simple question - are you prepared?

It’s a funny sounding name, but this virus is no joke.

The Zika virus is growing health concern that has the attention of lead health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).The Zika virus can be spread in three different ways. The most common way is when a mosquito bites someone who has Zika and then bites someone else, thus spreading the virus. Another way of spreading Zika is through unprotected sexual activity. A third route of transmission can happen when a pregnant woman gets Zika, she can pass it to her fetus. A fourth way is through a blood transfusion, however this has not occurred in the United States. The CDC has developed an infographic explaining how Zika is spread.

The International Federation of Environmental Health has declared September 26, 2016 World Environmental Health Day, with this year’s theme focused on tobacco control. Child Care Aware® of America and our partners, including the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), are focusing specifically on the negative health effects of second- and third-hand smoke to both individuals and societies.

Tulsa, Oklahoma - September is National Preparedness Month, and Child Care Resource Center is celebrating by kicking off a new two-year emergency preparedness project. Tulsa-based Child Care Resource Center, a program of the Community Service Council (a United Way partner agency), was recently awarded the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies as Resilience Hubs grant. The training program is designed to strengthen emergency preparedness efforts geared toward children, parents, and child care providers while also enhancing coordination with first responders and disaster response organizations.

Child Care Aware® of America has been selected as a 2016 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Designated Charity! The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized workplace giving opportunity for federal employees and members of the military. It runs September 1 – December 30 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Participation is optional, and all donations are tax deductible.