CCDBG Anniversary: A letter from the Executive Director

By Lynette Fraga, Ph.D. on November 19, 2015

Dear Child Care Aware® of America Community:

On this day, one year ago, President Obama signed the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2014 (CCDBG). The CCDBG law took critical steps toward ensuring that children are in safe, affordable and quality child care settings-Child care providers who receive federal funds must complete background checks, undergo annual inspections, receive training on basic topics, such as first-aid, safe sleep and CPR, before they are permitted to work with children.  The law also permits the flexible use of funds, which can be used for Child Care Resource & Referral services, training for child care providers, infant and toddler specialists, and quality rating systems.

Topics: Policy & Advocacy, News

Continue Reading

October 2015 Footnotes

By Lynette Fraga, Ph.D. on November 09, 2015

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.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Systems Building, News

Continue Reading

Parent and Family Advocates Share Their Child Care Stories for Giving Tuesday

By Chrisi West on November 02, 2015

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.

Topics: Policy & Advocacy, Family Stories, News

Continue Reading

Children and Obesity Prevention – What Really Works

By Lynette Fraga, Ph.D. on October 21, 2015

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.

Topics: Health & Safety, News

Continue Reading

Earth Sciences and the Importance of STEM Education

By Lynette Fraga, Ph.D. on October 16, 2015

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!

Topics: Best Practices, Health & Safety, News

Continue Reading

Announcing States Selected for Healthy Child Care, Healthy Communities Project

By Chrisi West on October 15, 2015

Arlington, VA – Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) is pleased to announce the states and organizations selected to participate in the Healthy Child Care, Healthy Communities project – an initiative supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

 

 

Participants include:

  • Alabama: Alabama Partnership for Children
  • Colorado: Qualistar Colorado’s Healthy Child Care Colorado Program
  • Indiana: Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral
  • Missouri: Child Care Aware of Missouri
  • New York: NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council
  • North Carolina: North Carolina CCR&R Council

The Healthy Child Care, Healthy Communities project aims to help states identify ways to implement systems level changes that have a positive impact on child health.

Led by Krista Scott, Senior Director Child Care Health Policy, CCAoA, participants will develop a state profile that provides data on rates of child care access and rates of obesity. The profile will also provide information on the states existing regulations and initiatives that impact child health, nutrition and obesity prevention work. Child Care Aware® of America will support States as they work plan on healthy practices in child care. After the work plan identifies the shared initiatives, the team will implement strategies to promote health, nutrition, and obesity prevention activities in the child care setting, based on their state’s specific needs.

In the first year of the two year project, participants will develop strategies to advocate for health, obesity, and nutrition issues in child care settings, and state-specific tools and materials promoting child health, nutrition and obesity prevention.

Child Care Aware® of America looks forward to partnering with the selected organizations in this engaging and critical work within the child care community.

About Child Care Aware ® of America
Child Care Aware of America is our nation’s leading voice for child care. CCAoA works with state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and other community partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. CCAoA leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, offer comprehensive training to child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate for child care policies that improve the lives of children and families. To learn more, visit usa.childcareaware.org. Follow them on Twitter @USAChildCare and on Facebook at facebook.com/usachildcare.

 

We can connect you with the experts of this blog post. Request a call.

Topics: Systems Building, Health & Safety, News

Continue Reading