When you hear “October” you may think of Halloween and trick or treating, but we promise, the October Footnotes is all about treats! Our staff have been busy on the road and online, sharing their knowledge, expertise, and resources with members, advocates, and others all month long.

Help Child Care Aware® of America Highlight the Importance of Quality Child Care Issues By Sending 20 Family Advocates to Washington, D.C. This Spring.

Child Health Day

Child Health Day is October 30, and while we care about child health, nutrition, and obesity prevention every day of the year, we’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the specific issues of lead poisoning and fire safety.

We’ve seen recent numbers showing that rates of obesity are continuing to increase among some low-income children ages 2-5 – but there is hope on the horizon.

According to a survey sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a majority of Americans support the national school nutrition standards. The poll found that 9 out of 10 people in the United States support the national school nutrition standards, which were revised in 2010 as part of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act. Additionally, 86 percent of people asked say that school nutrition standards should stay the same or be strengthened.

Earth Sciences Week is October 11-17, and your little ones are never too young to learn about the world we live in. Think of it as part of their STEM education, and a way to encourage good stewardship of the Earth year-round!