Happy New Year from US.
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
The Children’s Movement Helps Drive Home Win For Children And Families
On Friday, September 16th, 2022, 337 organizations across California signed on to this Children’s Movement letter urging Governor Newsom to expand family leave benefits for all Californians.
The Children’s Movement joined the California Work and Family Coalition – a coalition of gender equity, child and maternal health and anti-poverty groups – in pushing for the signing of Senate Bill 951 (SB 951) authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo. Two weeks later, on Friday, September 30th, Governor Newsom signed the bill. This is a great win for children and families in California.
California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) were designed to ensure that all Californians could afford to take leave for these reasons, however, because SDI and PFL have historically provided benefits equal to only 60 percent of most workers’ wages, these benefits have been unaffordable for too many of California’s families.
Recent analysis show that low-wage workers who are most in need of paid family leave can’t afford to take time off. Yet the passage of SB 951 will increase wage replacement rates and make paid family leave benefits more equitable and accessible to more Californians.
Effective January 1, 2025, SB 951 increases wage replacement rates to 90 percent for low wage workers (individuals making roughly $57k or less annually) and to 70 percent for everyone else. These changes will allow parents and caregivers more access to critical bonding time with their loved ones in their times of need. This is also a racial and gender justice issue as women, those identifying as Black or Latino/a/x, and/or those born outside of the United States are more likely to hold lower wage jobs.
Read more, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Sesame Street: 12 Days of Christmas Cookies
It's the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies! Cookie Monster's friends have brought him 12 different kinds of cookies! Find out what Elmo, Abby, and some surprise Sesame Street friends brought Cookie Monster this Christmas!
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Spanish Is My Superpower | #ComingTogether
When Rosita doesn’t want to play Veo Veo (I Spy), her friend Sophía asks why. Rosita shares it’s because she had a scary encounter at a grocery store where people told her to not speak Spanish and treated her unfairly. Rosita’s Mami explains that in situations like this where you feel unsafe, the best thing to do is walk away and find a grown-up to help you. Rosita realizes she is proud to speak Spanish, it’s like having a super power!
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Advocates & Policymakers Highlight Children’s Environmental Health In California
By Colleen Corrigan
November 3, 2022
Earlier this summer, HR 123 (Eloise Gómez Reyes) was passed to recognize October 2022 as Children’s Environmental Health Month in California. To raise awareness of the environmental issues threatening children’s health in California, Children Now and partners hosted a state policymaker briefing on October 20, 2022, for legislative staff (see below for a full list of co-sponsoring organizations).
The briefing, on environmental hazards like lead and pesticide exposure, included testimony from San Diego pediatrician Dr. Vi Thuy Nguyen, Greenfield city councilmember Yanely Martinez, a youth activist and high school student, Victor, and other policy experts. The panel highlighted how these environmental hazards impact children’s learning, well-being, and lifelong health outcomes and offered potential policy solutions and opportunities for our State leaders.
Read more, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Monday, December 12, 2022
Celebrations that Support Child Health
Honoring special occasions with students and staff is an important part of building community within a classroom. Have you ever stopped to think about how many celebrations occur during the school
year? From birthdays to holidays, these events can add up quickly. It's important to make sure that your celebrations reflect the same healthy messages you promote elsewhere throughout the school day.
In fact, school celebrations can be an opportunity to reinforce messages about good nutrition and health when they include healthy foods and beverages and provide opportunities for kids to dance, play games and engage in sports.
Some of our favorite suggestions include using non food rewards, such as:
· Stickers
· Rulers
· Bookmarks
Use these in lieu of sweet treats, and try swapping in plenty of healthy party food. Think more fruit kabobs and nut butters and less cookies and cupcakes.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Friday, December 9, 2022
Chicken Pepper Popper
Ingredients
1 (10 oz) can chicken breast, drained
· 4 oz low-fat cream cheese
· 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
· 1/2 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
· 1 cup canned corn kernels
· 1 cup diced bell peppers
· 60 (4-inch x 1/2-inch) celery sticks
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined. Serve 1/4 cup of the chicken pepper popper mix with five celery sticks. Makes 12 servings.
- One serving provides 3/4 oz eq meat/meat alternate and 1/2 cup vegetable.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Self-Care with Rosita and Ricardo | #ComingTogether
Military families can also feel the impact of racism. Rosita and Ricardo explain how sometimes self-care can be the first step toward racial justice when handling big emotions.
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Nutrition Nuggets : Identifying Gluten Free Foods in the CACFP
What is Gluten? In the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), gluten is a protein found in some grains such as wheat, barley, rye and malt. Children with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance cannot eat foods containing gluten. Gluten causes damage to the lining of the small intestine in individuals with celiac disease. Here are three tips on identifying gluten free foods:
- Check the ingredient statement. Avoid foods that contain wheat, rye, barley and malt. Other gluten containing ingredients to look for include durum, graham flour, hydrolyzed wheat protein, modified wheat starch, semolina and malt extract or syrup, among others. Quick tip: Ingredients can change over time so check the label for gluten containing ingredients every time you buy a product. You can also contact the manufacturer to confirm.
- Look for foods labeled as gluten free. Only foods that meet the Food & Drug Administration’s definition for gluten free can be labeled as gluten free. Quick tip: Wheat free does not mean gluten free.
- Know which foods commonly contain gluten. Many common foods such as breads, breaded meats, cakes, cereals, cookies, crackers, pasta and pizza often contain gluten. Other foods that may contain gluten but are not as obvious include taco seasoning, soy sauce, salad dressing or even hot dogs and deli meats. That’s why it is so important to check the ingredients!
Are there whole grains that are also gluten free? Serving at least one of the grain requirements as whole grain rich is still doable for a gluten free diet! Whole grains that do not naturally contain gluten include whole grain rich corn, brown rice, some oats and other grains that are less commonly eaten like sorghum, teff and quinoa. Foods that are generally gluten free are:
- Plain beef, pork, lamb and turkey
- Plain fish and shellfish
- Plain fruits and Vegetables
- Plain beans
- Some yogurts
- Eggs
- Milk
- Nuts and seeds
LOCATION
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