Child Care Aware^® of America has been awarded three MarCom Awards as part of a 2016 creative competition for marketing and communications professionals.

• Platinum Award: Child Care Aware^® of America 2016-2017 Calendar
• Gold Award: Child Care Works website
• Gold Award: Child Care Aware^® of America Annual Report

Child Care Aware^® of America was selected as a winner from more than 300 categories of print, web, video, and strategic communications.

Yesterday, the Department of Education issued a non-regulatory guidance on the early learning opportunities in the "Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015." The guidance does not include any required actions that state and local education agencies must follow, rather, suggested activities to help strengthen early learning programs.

Sadly, every year lives are lost because smoke alarms are neglected. From 2009-2013, three out of five home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms in nearly 1 out of every 5 homes are not working.

This week, we are celebrating Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is Don't Wait - Check the Date!

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.

Arlington, VA – Overall, boys of color (primarily African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives) face structural obstacles that stack the odds against their success in school and in life. They are more likely to grow up in low-income households, and less likely to attend high-quality schools, starting in very early childhood.

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?