The Obama Administration released the long-anticipated Head Start Performance Standards late last week. The new rule allows for greater flexibility at the local level and puts great emphasis on family engagement.

Right now, we are at a key turning point for child care. States across the country are working to expand access. Presidential candidates are speaking out on the issue. And a movement is growing to make sure families can find quality child care that fits their budget.

Access to food is a critical part of disaster response and recovery. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is part of the national response network and provides Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to those with low to moderate incomes (who typically do not qualify for food assistance support) based on disaster-related expenses like loss of income from time off or relocation, property damage, relocation costs, and other expenses.

The state plans for Healthy Child Care, Health Communities participants have been reviewed!

In an effort to support states in advocacy around their Child Care and Development Fund plans, Child Care Aware® of America summarized the state plans’ health content for Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, New York State, and North Carolina.

Spotlight

New Briefs Covering Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Health and Safety Topics

Last month we shared with you information about our newest module, National Data System (NDS) Web Services, which includes new API data integration functionality. This new tool is part of our goal to support child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and governments in carrying out work around the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), including providing tools to help NDS users seamlessly integrate data with the new childcare.gov website included in CCDBG. To learn more about the NDS Web Services module, contact our helpdesk at ndshelpdesk@usa.childcareaware.org for an orientation.