Healthy Child Care America
www.healthychildcare.org

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Healthy Child Care America (HCCA) program is a collaborative effort of health professionals, child care providers, and families working to improve the health and safety of children in child care. Launched in 1995, HCCA seeks to maximize the health, safety, well-being, and developmental potential of all children so that each child experiences quality child care within a nurturing environment and has a medical home.

Coordinated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the program also strives to increase pediatrician participation and effectiveness in providing high-quality child care and promoting children's health and well-being. In addition, the AAP works with 50 state HCCA grantees that are funded through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to address quality assurance, infrastructure building, and access to health services.

ACTIVITIES

The program currently promotes the following activities:

• A national Speakers Bureau of health and safety experts
• National and tribal health and safety performance standards
• Educational materials and presentations
• Networking and mentorship through the AAP Child Care Special Interest Group (SIG)

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The HCCA Web site (www.healthychildcare.org) provides the following resources:

• Health and safety fact sheets
• A listing of HCCA grantees and AAP chapter child care contacts
• PowerPoint presentations
• AAP policies on early childhood education and child care

RESOURCE MATERIALS

The following materials are offered free of charge:

• AAP Child Care Publications brochure
• HCCA child care and breastfeeding posters
• Moving Kids Safely in Child Care curriculum
• HCCA Blueprint for Action
• HCCA folders
• Healthy Child Care America newsletters

CHILD CARE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

The AAP Section on Community Pediatrics offers a Child Care SIG to promote educational and training opportunities for AAP members and allied health professionals. Membership in the Child Care SIG offers the following benefits:

• Mentorship and Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) funding to help solve local problems that limit care to children
• Participation in the Child Care Speakers Bureau, a national network of health professionals and child care experts
• Participation in a national electronic mailing list
• An invitation to child care events at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition

For more information about HCCA, contact the AAP Customer Service Center at 888/227-5409, e-mail childcare@aap.org, or visit the HCCA Web site at www.healthychildcare.org.