Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Wednesday Day Care

Problem is, I don't anymore.

"Mass. day-care centers are missing out on federal aid for meals" by Peter Schworm Globe Staff  October 21, 2015

Three of four day-care centers in Massachusetts are not enrolled in a government food program that reimburses the cost of healthy meals and snacks, reducing young children’s access to crucial sources of nutrition, a report has found.

In an analysis of statewide data, the Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children found that thousands of children attend day-care facilities that do not receive reimbursements through the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program, which is overseen by the state’s education department. Many providers are unaware of the program or have chosen not to enroll because of the required paperwork, even though they likely are eligible, the nonprofit group said.

As a result, the children may be served less nutritious meals at ages when healthy eating is paramount, researchers said.

“When one-quarter of Massachusetts children are overweight or obese by the time they reach first grade, child care and preschool providers must marshal all available resources and programs to help children eat nutritious meals we know support early learning,” said Marie St. Fleur, the group’s president.

Studies suggest that centers who participate in the program serve nutritionally superior meals to those that don’t, with fewer servings of fats and sweets, the report stated.

Based in Boston, the Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children is a research and policy group focused on early education. It will formally release the report Wednesday.

The group has been working with state education officials on efforts to publicize the program and make it easier for centers to apply.

“They need to get the word out,” St. Fleur said. “Some people we talked to didn’t even know about the program.”

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I'm tired of being served up the same menu year after year after year. Sorry.

Maybe if they were turned over to DCF....??

Related: Defense can conduct own autopsies on Bella Bond

Also seeBonds Broken 

Yup.

NDU: DCF missed early chances in Bond case, report says

Also seeDCF employee’s work to be examined