Written by Lacy Stephens, MS, RDN, National Farm to School Network and Emia Oppenheim, PhD, RD/LD, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists

October is National Farm to School Month, a month to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the connections happening across the country between kids, families and their local food systems because of farm to school and farm to early care and education (ECE) programs and partnerships. While COVID-19 has undeniably made this month like no other, it has also made it even more important to celebrate National Farm to School Month and elevate the critical work of connecting children and their families to healthy, local food and food education.

Health and safety in child care settings are critical at all times. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified child care providers’ responsibilities in ensuring that the environment is safe and healthy. A new resource from CCAoA, Environmental Health and Safety in Child Care Settings: Considerations During Viral Outbreaks, highlights important environmental health and safety concerns for both family and center-based child care settings. You can find the full resource here! A brief summary of the resource follows.

Momentum in support of child care relief continues to grow in Congress. Last week, the House of Representatives passed an updated version of the HEROES Act, which includes $57 billion in emergency funding for child care – $50 billion for child care stabilization grants and $7 billion in emergency funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program (CCDBG).  

This season, getting an Influenza(flu) vaccine is essential in protecting the health of children, their families, and child care providers. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. Although there are some  exceptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months or older should get a flu vaccine annually. Flu is most common during the fall and winter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a flu vaccine is more important than ever.  

This fall, as schools make difficult decisions about when and how to reopen during the pandemic, families also face tough choices. Parents across the country are struggling to balance holding down a job or pursuing their own education with attending to their children’s health, education, safety and social connections.

By Donna Butts and Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D.  
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of caregivers, those who care for us when we are young and old, and given us an opportunity to reimagine care from a lifespan perspective. This will be particularly important after the pandemic permanently closes an estimated 30-50% of child care providers nationwide and the high death toll causes us to reimagine elder care homes.