The Child and Family Research Unit is one of five cross-sector partners and 21 regional coalition members implementing the “Start Healthy. Start Now.” initiative. The initiative is coordinated by Inland Northwest Health Services and is funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Transformation Grants. Start Healthy. Start Now. is an effort to promote public health activities to reduce chronic disease, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending in small communities. Other collaborating partners include Community Minded Enterprises, Empire Health Foundation, Spokane Regional Health District, and Step UP and Go.
At its core, Start Healthy. Start Now. is an obesity prevention initiative which brings health promotion and child development training, technical assistance, educational resources, and system and policy changes to a high-need population in Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry, Whitman and Adams counties. The initiative is focused on more than 50,000 children, families, licensed child care staff and early childhood educators and the families of child care staff and early childhood educators in the six-county region.
Childcare- specific trainings include:
- Trauma Informed Care– This training will introduce attendees to the issue of complex trauma and its impact on development. It will provide attendees with the tools for trauma sensitive interventions and will offer opportunities to practice and apply lessons learned. This is a two part series.
- Let’s Move!– This training is designed to take a proactive approach to childhood obesity by encouraging moderate to vigorous physical activity among children in a child care setting. Attendees will learn ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine with the goal of making exercise a lifelong activity for the children you serve.
- Whole Foods Cooking– This training is designed for directors and cooks working in a child care center. This hands-on, chef- taught training provides instruction on how to create healthy, nutritious foods kids will want to eat. In addition attendees will learn shopping techniques and cost saving tips to create new menus. Participating centers will also receive two traveling chef visits.
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