April has always been one of my favorite months. We emerge from the drabness of winter into blooming colors and sun filled days. Spring never fails to refresh and renew my spirit.

April is also the Month of the Military Child and, as a military mom who raised three military children in an Army family, it is also a bittersweet reminder of how quickly time passes.

Are you interested in health news as it relates to child care? Health Round-Up is a monthly subscription-based newsletter for child care staff, family child care providers, and state-level ECE stakeholders.

Today is Health Equity Day, an opportunity to explore how child care plays an instrumental role in ensuring that all are afforded the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. We know that children’s health is shaped by their environments—where they live, what they eat, how much they play, and if they have access to medical and dental care. We also know that not every child has the same opportunity to grow up healthy.

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, around 6 p.m., a fire was reported under a section of I-85 in Atlanta. The fire ultimately caused a section of the interstate to collapse around 7 p.m., stranding motorists for hours and creating a more than five mile backup of traffic. The mayor has described this event as a ‘transportation crisis’, and this section of the I-85 will remain closed for the foreseeable future. On Thursday evening Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency and vowed to allocate resources aimed to reduce traffic disruption. Luckily no one was injured in the collapse, a testament to the great work of the fire and police departments who responded to the incident and quickly evacuated the area.

Being a child of a father serving in the U.S. Air Force looks glamorous (aside from being called an “Air Force Brat”)! I got to travel the world and see things most other children didn’t get to see. For instance, I lived in Italy for 3 years! My triplet sisters, Celeste, Courtney, and I were only 5 years old. and my older brother, Dennis, was 10.

Child Care Aware® of America and Child Care Works have joined with CLASP, NWLC, NAEYC, NAFCC, NBCDI, YWCA, and ZERO TO THREE for national call-in day for child care.