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.

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.