Check out the May News from the NC Farm to Preschool Network (NCF2PSN). The purpose of the Network is to connect, educate, develop, and share resources between community and state partners, farmers, early childhood educators, and families to spark the local foods movement in early childhood education environments. May news includes:

• Farm to preschool in action at local early care and education programs
• Info about growing sunflowers…..Let them Grow, Super Tall and Sunny!
• Menus and recipes
• Featured resources and more!

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.

Milestones Reached

Several important milestones in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants worldwide worldwide have already been reached:

• Vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States.
• Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
• Routine childhood immunization among children born 1994-2018 will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 early deaths over the course of their lifetimes, at a net savings of $406 billion in direct costs and $1.9 trillion in total societal costs.
• The National Immunization Survey has consistently shown that childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record levels.

It’s easy to think of these as diseases of the past. However, the truth is they still exist. Children in the United States can—and do—still get some of these diseases.

One example of the seriousness of vaccine preventable diseases is an increase in measles cases and outbreaks that were reported in 2014. The United States experienced a record number of measles cases, with 667 cases from 27 states reported to CDC’s NCIRD. This was the greatest number of cases in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000.

Learn more about vaccination from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)!

Every child deserves to grow up safe and loved!

Join Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month during April!

The future success of our state relies on the healthy growth and development of all children. When we work together to ensure their healthy development, the next generation pays it back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship.

With the support of engaged communities making connections that matter, all children can thrive and have the opportunity to grow into contributing, caring, and healthy adults. Resources from PCANC include:

• Child Abuse Prevention Month 2019 Toolkit
• Info about Recognizing and Responding to Abuse and Neglect
• Tips for Planting a Pinwheel Garden
• Pinwheel Activities for Families, and more…..

Information from the Healthy Child Care Pennsylvania ECELS Program

National Poison Prevention Week is a chance to highlight the dangers of poisonings. Substances most commonly involved in poisonings of children are cosmetics, personal care products, cleaning products, and medications. Fifty percent (50%) of all exposures involve children younger than age 6!

To avoid poisonings when caring for children:

• Store medicines and all cleaning products in areas that are completely inaccessible to children.
• Supervise children at all times!
• Never carry something that can be poisonous, e.g., medicine, in a purse where a child may find it.
• Safety latches on drawers/cabinets and child resistant caps on bottles help keep poisons out of the hands of children.

When accidents happen with chemicals, medicine, or household items, call Poison Help 1-800-222-1222.

Post the number by the telephone where it is visible for early care and education staff.  Program the poison control center number into cell phones so you have the number when you need it. Get help right away from a local poison expert. If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911.

When you call 1-800-222-1222, you will reach specially trained poison experts at a poison center that serves your area. They provide free, confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Interpretation services are available in 161 languages.

For safety tips to keep children safe from poisons see Child Tips.

Share this information with families too!

An Eco-Healthy Child Care® endorsed provider creates and maintains an early childhood learning environment that is healthy and safe by reducing children’s exposure to toxic chemicals. These changes immediately benefit the health and well-being of the children in care. Learn more about how to apply online to become an Eco-Healthy Child Care® endorsed provider.

Start creating a healthier early care and education (ECE) environment today!

The summit was broadcast on-air via the North Carolina Channel and through a livestream provided by UNC-TV. Recordings of the NC Early Childhood Summit are available now at: NC DHHS Early Childhood website.

Experts in childhood health, education and child welfare spoke, including:

• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper,
• former Gov. Jim Hunt,
• NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, and
• Dr. Jack Shonkoff from the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University.

They and others encouraged the crowd to take action to improve outcomes for young children.

The Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) shared information about child care rule changes taking effect March 2019. Rules address minimum requirements for two through five star rated licenses.

For details regarding these changes, view the March 2019 Child Care Rulebook and enroll in the DCDEE Moodle training tool. Each individual user will need to have an NCID to participate in Moodle training. If you do not already have an NCID, use this link to get one: https://ncid.nc.gov/ncidsspr/

Rule training modules can be found in the same course as the October 2017 Child Care Rule Rollout. If you are unfamiliar with the Child Care Rule Rollout within Moodle and how to navigate, please visit:

https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Learning-Resources/How-to-Navigate-Moodle.

Click here to go directly to DCDEE’s Moodle page. You can also access Moodle through DCDEE’s website homepage.

If you have any issues with logging into Moodle, please contact Brenda Williamson (Brenda.Williamson@dhhs.nc.gov) or Justin Berrier (Justin.Berrier@dhhs.nc.gov). You can also reach Brenda or Justin by phone at 919-814-6300 or 1-800-859-0829 (toll-free in NC).

Leaders from across the state in early childhood health, education and child welfare launched the NC Early Childhood Action Plan at a summit on Feb. 27 in Raleigh. The plan includes 10 statewide goals around early childhood health, development, and learning.

• Goal 1: Healthy Babies
• Goal 2: Preventive Health Services
• Goal 3: Food Security
• Goal 4: Safe and Secure Housing
• Goal 5: Safe and Nurturing Relationships
• Goal 6: Permanent Families for Children in Foster Care
• Goal 7: Social-Emotional Health and Resilience
• Goal 8: High-Quality Early Learning
• Goal 9: On Track for School Success
• Goal 10: Reading at Grade Level

The Winter 2019 E-News includes:

• Updates from the NC Resource Center, Tooth Development, Oral Health Screening, Oral Health Best Practices in the Classroom, Winter… the Perfect Time for Outdoor Play! and a calendar for the next three months.