The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its new reimbursement rates for the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP). The rates are effective from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. USDA is required to update reimbursement rates for the program annually, on July 1, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Developing healthy eating habits and providing opportunities for active play and exploration early in a child’s life is crucial to creating a foundation for their physical health for years to come. Eating patterns, or choices regarding the amount and quality of food and nutrition, begin developing in children as young as seven months, so starting children on the right track early is important.

Child Care Aware^® of America, the nation’s leading voice for child care, announced the release of the 2016 State Fact Sheets, which profile child care indicators across all 50 states. This annual report compiles data from local and state child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs), other state agencies, and other federal and national data sets to report on the use, supply, and cost of child care, the child care workforce, and the services provided by CCR&Rs.

Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee released the draft FY 2017 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education spending bill. This appropriations bill is the source of funding for the vast majority of federal child care and early child development programs. The Committee is expected to consider, and likely pass, this bill late next week.

Following the expiration of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 last fall, Congress has the opportunity to expand child nutrition programs to address the growing needs of families as well as extend access nationwide.

I have always worked in the nonprofit sector, but I found my calling 14 years ago when I began as the Executive Director of Child Care Aware® of Minnesota. Formerly the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network, Child Care Aware® of Minnesota serves as the backbone to 14 agencies that support child care providers, families, and children in Minnesota. We are a statewide system of agencies that have helped more than 600,000 families find quality child care and have supported the professional growth of more than 100,000 child care professionals.