Laurie Rackas

Laurie Rackas is the Content Developer on CCAoA's Marketing & Communications team. She is a writer, editor and video producer who specializes in writing for and about children. For her work, she's been awarded six Emmys and a PBS Advertising & Promotion Award, among others.

Recent Posts

Health Resource Spotlight: Resources to Support Families Experiencing Homelessness

By Laurie Rackas on September 18, 2018

The Problem 

Every year, more than one million children under 6 years old in the U.S. experience homelessness. How can providers support these vulnerable children and their families? 

Topics: Systems Building, Best Practices, Health & Safety

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Health Resource Spotlight: Responsive Feeding Modules

By Laurie Rackas on July 17, 2018

The Problem 

Many different adults can impact the way a baby or child eats, including parents/caregivers and providers. However, those important adults may not understand or practice responsive feeding – the process of recognizing an infant's cues for hunger or fullness and responding appropriately.  

Topics: Systems Building, Parenting, Health & Safety

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Health Resource Spotlight: Interactive Learning Modules for Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs)

By Laurie Rackas on June 14, 2018

The Problem 

CCHCs are health professionals who also are knowledgeable about child health, child development and health and safety in child care. But their training may not have equipped them with some skills (e.g., communicating effectively with programs) that are essential to their work.  

Topics: Systems Building, Professional Development, Health & Safety

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The Latest from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

By Laurie Rackas on April 16, 2018

Help CACFP Celebrate a Milestone 

The program turns 50 on May 8, 2018. Nemours Children’s Health System and the National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Forum will be creating a billboard-sized birthday card on Capitol Hill. The card will be a mosaic of thousands of images from community programs serving CACFP meals and snacks. (Sorry, the deadline to submit photos has passed.) Some providers are hosting CACFP birthday parties in their programs. If you're interested, here are some places to go for party ideas: 

Topics: Systems Building

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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Resources

By Laurie Rackas on April 13, 2018

The Problem 

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) is an evidence-based intervention for supporting young children’s social-emotional development. It teams a mental health professional with early care and education professionals to improve children’s social, emotional and behavioral health. However, many child care providers may not have access to or may not know how to get the most out of a mental health consultant.  

Topics: Systems Building, Best Practices

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Health Resource Spotlight: Tell Me a Story

By Laurie Rackas on March 19, 2018

The Problem: 

One of the many responsibilities child care providers juggle is helping children develop their social-emotional skills. But providers need tools to guide their efforts. 

One Solution:

Both parents and early care and education professionals can use the Tell Me a Story series to support children’s healthy social-emotional development. It includes guides to six children’s books with social-emotional themes. 

Topics: Best Practices, Health & Safety

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