Accomplishments

Recent accomplishments include:

• Continued supporting the Wellness Champion designation that family childcare homes and centers can receive upon meeting certain criteria related to nutrition and physical activity. To date, there have been over 7,500 referrals to more than 80 Wellness Champion sites.
• Surveyed staff from three local institutions of higher education to identify health and wellness components included in the early education curriculum. Survey results indicated a strong focus on nutrition and less of a focus on physical activity and gross motor development. The workgroup will begin identifying opportunities to work with higher education staff to strengthen the curriculum in fall 2017.
• Developed model language for preschools located on school sites that includes age appropriate healthy eating and physical activity recommendations for children 0-5 years old.