Lorain County Public Health congratulates 20 childcare providers on Ohio Healthy Programs designation

Twenty Lorain County childcare providers recently received the Ohio Healthy Programs (OHP) designation.

Lorain County Public Health and the Child Care Resource Center helped these childcare providers earn Ohio Healthy Programs designation because it requires centers to take steps to help prevent childhood obesity, according to a news release.

“It’s best to start healthy habits at an early age,” Lorain County Public Health Commissioner David Covell said. “Childcare providers play an important role in preventing childhood obesity when they promote healthy foods and physical activity.

“Many children spend the bulk of their time with these providers.”

Steps toward Ohio Healthy Programs designation include: attending Ohio approved training for administrators, cooks and teachers; implementing a new wellness policy such as reducing screen time; improving menus to include fruit and vegetables daily; and engaging families by sending home healthy recipes, flyers or information about healthy eating or physical activity.

“We’ve changed our menu to have a wider variety of healthier choices and the children are now more interested in the foods we serve,” said Sarah Bishop, director of Neighborhood Alliance, on participating in Ohio Healthy Programs.

As of June 30, the Lorain County Public Health congratulates Lorain County childcare providers on their Ohio Healthy Programs designation.

They are: Kendal Early Learning Center in Oberlin; Horizon South Elyria Wilkes Villa; Horizon Cascade; Horizon ​​Southside Lorain; Horizon East Lorain; Horizon Elyria Dewhurst; All About the Kids in Elyria; Neighborhood Alliance in Lorain and Elyria; Head Start Hopkins Locke; Head Start Cascade; Head Start LaGrange; Park Place Learning Center in Elyria; Dani’s Garden in Elyria; Child Garden in Grafton and Oberlin; Raquel’s Little Learners in Lorain; Sylvia Oliver in Elyria; Diane’s Day Care; and Learning Center in Lorain.

For more information on how to make health and safety top priorities, contact Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367 or visit LorainCountyHealth.com.