
Learn how to identify Whole Grain Rich food items with this helpful tool from the National CACFP Sponsors Association.
Starting Oct 1, 2020 a minimum of one whole grain rich food must be served each day for CACFP reimbursement. We've found the easiest way to accomplish this is by serving a whole grain at breakfast, so you don't need to worry about it the rest of the day.
To better understand which bread/grain foods are whole grain rich, this handout provides in-depth explanations, with several options to determine WGR qualifying items.
Watch-out for bread/grain items labeled as "Multi-grain" or "Made with Whole Grain", because those words do NOT always indicate a whole grain rich product.
identifying_whole_grain-rich_guide.pdf
Starting Oct 1, 2020 a minimum of one whole grain rich food must be served each day for CACFP reimbursement. We've found the easiest way to accomplish this is by serving a whole grain at breakfast, so you don't need to worry about it the rest of the day.
To better understand which bread/grain foods are whole grain rich, this handout provides in-depth explanations, with several options to determine WGR qualifying items.
Watch-out for bread/grain items labeled as "Multi-grain" or "Made with Whole Grain", because those words do NOT always indicate a whole grain rich product.
identifying_whole_grain-rich_guide.pdf

Food Buying Guide - Interactive Web-Based Tool
One Stop Shop for all Food Buying Guide (FBG) Resources!
Previously hosted on the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), the FBG Calculator has been added to the
Food Buying Guide Interactive Web-Based Tool. Log in, view the training video, and create your shopping list!
You can also download the Mobile App for the Food Buying Guide
One Stop Shop for all Food Buying Guide (FBG) Resources!
Previously hosted on the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), the FBG Calculator has been added to the
Food Buying Guide Interactive Web-Based Tool. Log in, view the training video, and create your shopping list!
You can also download the Mobile App for the Food Buying Guide
Has our Healthy Sleep Habits course peaked your interest?
If you'd like to learn more about sleep issues and how to bet a better night's sleep check out the Counting Sheep website.
Counting Sheep is an independent group that shares research and information regarding how to get quality sleep, recognize sleep disorders and when to seek professional help.
https://www.countingsheep.net/
If you'd like to learn more about sleep issues and how to bet a better night's sleep check out the Counting Sheep website.
Counting Sheep is an independent group that shares research and information regarding how to get quality sleep, recognize sleep disorders and when to seek professional help.
https://www.countingsheep.net/
Colorado Child Care Seat Laws - 2020
If you'd like to learn more about infant and child care seat laws in Colorado, this article simplifies the requirements for child passenger restraints. Feel free to share with your clients/families.
https://www.experiencedmommy.com/colorado-car-seat-laws/
If you'd like to learn more about infant and child care seat laws in Colorado, this article simplifies the requirements for child passenger restraints. Feel free to share with your clients/families.
https://www.experiencedmommy.com/colorado-car-seat-laws/
Women, Infants & Children Brochure and Online Referral Form for Colorado
What is WIC? WIC is free of charge to all Colorado families who qualify. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically income eligible. Please make these available to all of the parents with children in
your care. Click here for the entire brochure in English and Spanish.
Click here for the Online Referral form.
What is WIC? WIC is free of charge to all Colorado families who qualify. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically income eligible. Please make these available to all of the parents with children in
your care. Click here for the entire brochure in English and Spanish.
Click here for the Online Referral form.
Children's Comprehensive Health Guide - From Newborn to Preteen
When should my baby see a doctor? How does bullying affect my preteen? What medications are potentially dangerous for children? You can promote children's well-being by learning how their bodies grow. Click here for more information.
When should my baby see a doctor? How does bullying affect my preteen? What medications are potentially dangerous for children? You can promote children's well-being by learning how their bodies grow. Click here for more information.
Tuck - Advancing Better Sleep
Tuck has created a community for advancing better sleep. This site has extensive information on sleep disorders, sleep resources, the circadian system, sleep health and much more! Click here for more information.
Tuck has created a community for advancing better sleep. This site has extensive information on sleep disorders, sleep resources, the circadian system, sleep health and much more! Click here for more information.
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
is a USDA-wide effort to carry out President Obama's commitment to strengthening local and regional food systems.
A surge in consumer demand for locally-produced food is creating jobs and opportunity throughout rural America. Beginning farmers are finding an entry point into agriculture through local markets. Experienced farmers are diversifying their sales to capture added value through local branding. Small businesses are developing new packing, processing, distribution, and retail opportunities. And consumers are learning more about where their food comes from and gaining access to fresh, local foods.
Local and regional markets often provide farmers with a higher share of the food dollar, and money spent locally continues to circulate within the community, creating a multiplier effect and improving the economic impact to the area.
UDSA has responded wo the growing interest in local and regional food through the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to provide programs that:
is a USDA-wide effort to carry out President Obama's commitment to strengthening local and regional food systems.
A surge in consumer demand for locally-produced food is creating jobs and opportunity throughout rural America. Beginning farmers are finding an entry point into agriculture through local markets. Experienced farmers are diversifying their sales to capture added value through local branding. Small businesses are developing new packing, processing, distribution, and retail opportunities. And consumers are learning more about where their food comes from and gaining access to fresh, local foods.
Local and regional markets often provide farmers with a higher share of the food dollar, and money spent locally continues to circulate within the community, creating a multiplier effect and improving the economic impact to the area.
UDSA has responded wo the growing interest in local and regional food through the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to provide programs that:
- Stimulate food - and agriculturally-based community economic development;
- Foster new opportunities for farmers and ranchers;
- Promote locally- and regionally-produced and processed foods;
- Cultivate healthy eating habits and educated, empowered consumers;
- Expand access to affordable fresh and local food; and
- Demonstrate the connection between food, agriculture, community, and the environment.
To make the most of USDA programs available to support local and regional food systems, Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food works to foster innovative, effective, and open government. The initiative is carried out by a task force of USDA employees representing every agency within the Department. It breaks down bureaucratic silos, develops common-sense solutions, and fosters new partnerships inside USDA and across the country.
Find farmers markets, food hubs, meat processors, and more with the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass Map. While you are there, explore the map to see what's happening in your own community or learn how others are using federal support to build local food systems!
Find farmers markets, food hubs, meat processors, and more with the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass Map. While you are there, explore the map to see what's happening in your own community or learn how others are using federal support to build local food systems!
Safe Sleep Training
The safe sleep training requirement has been extended to 12/31/2015.
Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Child Care provided The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Child Care America is pleased to announce the release of a new online module on Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Child Care! Based off of the APP Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Child Care Speakers Kit, this course is designed to educate everyone who cares for babies, including child care providers, health care professionals, parents, grandparents, and relatives. Click here to register for an online account with the American Academy of Pediatrics to complete the training.
The office of Early Childhood is developing a free training as a no-cost alternative to the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) training, but this has not yet been released. Click here to go to the Colorado Office of Early Childhood training website.
The safe sleep training requirement has been extended to 12/31/2015.
Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Child Care provided The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Child Care America is pleased to announce the release of a new online module on Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Child Care! Based off of the APP Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Child Care Speakers Kit, this course is designed to educate everyone who cares for babies, including child care providers, health care professionals, parents, grandparents, and relatives. Click here to register for an online account with the American Academy of Pediatrics to complete the training.
The office of Early Childhood is developing a free training as a no-cost alternative to the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) training, but this has not yet been released. Click here to go to the Colorado Office of Early Childhood training website.
breastfeedcolorado.com
Interested in learning more about becoming a breastfeeding-friendly child care centers or sending your child to one? Does your child care follow best practices to support breastfeeding? Child care centers play an important role in supporting mothers to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that child care providers implement policies and practices that support breastfeeding.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has posted resources under the Child Care tab on its breastfeeding website (www.breastfeedcolorado.com) to inform child care providers on guidelines for supporting breastfeeding.
Interested in learning more about becoming a breastfeeding-friendly child care centers or sending your child to one? Does your child care follow best practices to support breastfeeding? Child care centers play an important role in supporting mothers to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that child care providers implement policies and practices that support breastfeeding.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has posted resources under the Child Care tab on its breastfeeding website (www.breastfeedcolorado.com) to inform child care providers on guidelines for supporting breastfeeding.
Institute of Child Nutrition
The Institute of Child Nutrition, part of the School of Applied Science at The University of Mississippi, is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs.
A trusted source for accurate, reliable information, the ICN offers face-to-face and on-site training seminars at little or no cost and free online courses designed to support the professional development of child nutrition program and child care personnel at all levels of responsibility. The Institute also delivers free training resources managers can use to train their staff. The Institute conducts pre-conference sessions and other presentations at association meetings and offers satellite seminars and webinars that focus on current issues. Other support materials, such as newsletters, fact sheets, recipes, and instructional videos can be found free of charge on the NFSMI website.
A trusted source for accurate, reliable information, the ICN offers face-to-face and on-site training seminars at little or no cost and free online courses designed to support the professional development of child nutrition program and child care personnel at all levels of responsibility. The Institute also delivers free training resources managers can use to train their staff. The Institute conducts pre-conference sessions and other presentations at association meetings and offers satellite seminars and webinars that focus on current issues. Other support materials, such as newsletters, fact sheets, recipes, and instructional videos can be found free of charge on the NFSMI website.
Tummy Time
During
tummy time, your baby lays on her belly to play while you supervise. Since your
baby sleeps on her back to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),
she needs to spend some of her awake time on her stomach to develop physically
and mentally. Experts find that babies who don't
spend time face-down often have some delays in their development of motor
skills. “The experience of being on their
tummy helps babies learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl, and pull to a
stand," explains Danette Glassy, a pediatrician in Mercer Island,
Washington, and chairperson of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on
early education and childcare. Click HERE to learn more!