Child Care Aware^® of America is hosting a Facebook Live panel discussion on November 29 at 9 a.m. EST to talk with parents about the new landscape after the presidential election and what you can do to make child care is a priority. The panel will include compelling personal stories from three families who are facing challenges concerning child care cost, quality, and accessibility in their communities. This event will highlight our Child Care Works movement and coincides with #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving.

Yesterday, House Republican leadership announced that they will draft another continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government until March 31, 2017. This is being done in consultation with President-Elect Donald Trump's transition team. There is bipartisan opposition to this proposal in the Senate, however it appears unlikely that it would be filibustered. The current CR expires on December 9, 2016.

The importance of high-quality, affordable child care affects everyone. In the spirit of the holiday giving season, Child Care Aware® of America is pleased to share with you a special edition story in Faces of Child Care, a series of stories from individuals of various walks of life who are affected by child care.

Read Ashley’s story below to learn more about how you can help Child Care Aware® of America work to ensure that every family in America has access to high-quality, affordable child care.

Confused by the new grain requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)? You’ll be happy to know that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a memorandum that spells out exactly what CACFP means by “whole-grain rich” foods.

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Children and Adolescents and Digital Media explores new recommendations for children’s media use. The report covers what we currently know about media use and how it affects young children and adolescents and makes recommendations for pediatricians and parents. These recommendations are designed to help adults make good choices that protect the health and safety of children, while understanding that media use is an important part of daily life.

Spotlight

Karen Ekdahl, Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center, Bellingham, Washington