Delaware Survey of Children’s Health (DSCH)
Sponsored by Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NHPS), is one of the most comprehensive public health surveillance instruments regarding the health of Delaware’s children.
For Policy Makers
Healthy Eating Initiatives
Nemours Health & Prevention Services (NHPS) is noted for advancing child care nutrition along with training and technical support to help providers implement these standards. We support several initiatives which make children eating healthy a priority.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future was created in order to prevent childhood obesity starting in the early child care setting. Learn about current nutrition policy ideas and discussions around childhood obesity efforts on the federal, state, and
local levels.
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
Nemours’ National Office spent over two years ensuring that the Delaware model for wellness in child care was replicated in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to impact the 3.2 million children that participate in the federal nutrition program for child care, the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Let's Move! Child Care
Nemours also partnered with the First Lady Michelle Obama to launch Let’s Move! Child Care, a new national initiative to encourage child care providers to voluntarily adopt higher nutrition and physical activity standards.
Partnership for a Healthier America
Nemours is a founding partner of Partnership for a Healthier America seeking private sector commitments to address obesity. PHA recently announced a commitment from one of the nation’s largest child care providers, Bright Horizons, to Let’s Move! Child Care.
Collaborate for a Healthy Weight Initiative
Nemours is also part of Collaborate for Healthy Weight, a national initiative where primary care providers, public health professionals, and leaders of community-based organizations work together, using quality improvement methods to reverse the obesity epidemic in communities across the country.
Promoting Healthy Eating for Children
Read a series of policy briefs and strategies to help improve nutrition and encourage kids to eat healthy.
Grain Requirements for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program (2012): This memorandum explains grain requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) and specifically addresses implementation and definition of whole grain products. Foods included were carefully determined to meet 24 nutrient targets.
USDA Announces New Criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge (2012):
The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service announces new criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC), a voluntary certification initiative established to recognize schools that have created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity.
USDA Farm to School Grants Available (2012):
‘Farm to school’ programs connect schools with local producers in order to serve locally produced foods in school cafeterias. These grants help school districts support existing programs or design new endeavors and will be offered annually.
Why Delaware Should Maintain Nutrition Regulations for Child Care (2012):
Delaware’s regulations for child care, which specify nutritional requirements for food prepared and served by child care providers and food supplied by parents and guardians, are meant to ensure all children receive healthy foods and beverages they need for their growth and development.
Delaware’s Child Care Regulations Promote Healthy Child Development (2011):
Child care providers play an important role in nurturing the physical and emotional health of children. Collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit organizations can help establish regulations that teach healthy lifestyles.
The Need to Increase Participation in Delaware’s School Breakfast Program (2011):
Breakfast improves student learning and may contribute to a healthy weight. Children’s participation in school breakfast programs can be increased through a variety of mechanisms. These strategies and the importance of a nutritious school breakfast, especially for low-income students, are explained in this policy.
Handouts & Resources
Read more articles and reports on recent measures to implement education on healthier habits for children.
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