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Building Healthy Habits: Using the Dietary Guidelines in Child Care Centers
| Name | Marlyne R. Walker | | Situation | In Newberry County, 27.5% of children live in or below the poverty level according to 2000 census data. Thirty-three percent of children in Newberry County are at risk of failing to succeed in school due to at least one risk factor asscociated with poor school performance. Sixty-three percent of children under 6 are from families where both parents work outside of home. Child care that is affordable, accessible and of high quality is limited in Newberry County. The South Carolina Department of Education requires managers or directors in school nutrition programs to provide annual continuing education for food service workers.
Currently, there is limited training or guidelines for child care providers participanting in the Child and Adult Food Program. | | Response | The agent is partnering with the Department of Social Services, Child and Adult Food Program and Department of Education School Nutrition Program to deliver 12 credit hours in nutrition through a self-study course. The purpose of this course is to mimic the school nutrition program role in
establishing lifelong eating habits in child care center feeding programs. | | Impact | In 2004, the county agent provided 12 credit hours in Newberry County to 5 child care providers , impacting 3 child care centers and impacting 171 preschool children. The participants in this program reported making changes in their eating habits such as eating more fruits and vegetables and increasing physical activity- walking during their lunch hour. After making personal changes in their lives or at home, the group was able to make positive changes in the child care center's menu such as baking,
broiling or grilling chicken fingers instead of serving fried chicken
strips or offering fresh fruits or vegetables instead of cookies or
chips. |
Last update8/15/2007
This website is maintained by Bryan Smith.
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