Latest news with #Infants
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
United Way of the Wabash Valley awards over $60,000 to the children
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The United Way of the Wabash Valley has awarded $61,601 to two Success by 6 programs in the area. These programs are aimed at strengthening early childhood development and aim to benefit children across the Wabash Valley. The United Way gave $39,689 through its On the Path to PTQ grant program to five home-based childcare providers. On the Path to PTQ is a program to support those providers and improve their quality of care, and help them progress in the state's Path to QUALITY (PTQ) system. The PTQ system is how the state rates early care and and education and the improvements needed. The PTQ system allows families to identify quality childcare programs through a rating of one to four, where one means licensing compliance and four means national accreditation. Providers that participate in the United Way's grant program can receive up to $10,000 for classroom improvements, professional development, and steps toward the level four accreditation. The locations who received the grants are: ABC Preschool and Daycare Sammie's Sunshine Academy Kidzplay Little Duckling Childcare Bailee's Buddies 'Licensed home providers are essential to our region's early learning ecosystem,' said Executive Director Dorothy Chambers. 'We're investing in their growth so more children can benefit from stable, enriching, high-quality early learning environments.' Lastly, through the Successful Parenting Initiative, the United Way gave $21,912 to the Terre Haute Children's Museum. This money will be used to start an innovative research-backed program for families with children aged 3 to 18 months. The program will teach parents/caregivers the benefits of guided play. Guided play is an evidence-based approach to learning that supports brain development during the quickest part of children's cognitive growth. The program specifically serves families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, to give easier access to high-quality developmental opportunities. 'We know that early exposure to STEM concepts and adult-guided exploration lay a foundation for lifelong learning,' said Michele Bennett, Community Impact Specialist at United Way. 'This program gives families the tools to grow and learn together.' Guided play blends child play with parental direction. According to the news release, research shows that when a caregiver participates by asking open-ended questions and models curiosity, children develop stronger language skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The new program at the museum will coach parents to become active learning partners with their kids. Key features of the program are: Family engagement events at the Children's Museum, featuring interactive play stations aligned with early STEM, literacy, and social-emotional learning. · Take-home kits with 'guided play' activity cards, prompts, and short videos created by local university students to reinforce learning at home. · Access Pass sign-ups, helping low-income families afford Children's Museum visits all year long. · Special events, including a holiday Family Night and storytelling sessions with guest educators. 'With support from United Way, we're empowering parents and caregivers to be confident co-learners,' said Holly Curtsinger, Director of ISU's Early Childhood Education Center and co-chair of Success By 6. 'It's not just about helping children succeed in school—it's about nurturing the parent-child bond and building strong, stable families.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Auglaize health district seeks replacement levy
Apr. 29—WAPAKONETA — Voters in Auglaize County will be asked to approve an .85-mill, 10-year replacement levy for the Auglaize County Board of Health during this year's May 6 election. The levy, if approved, will fill a void created when the district's current 1-mill levy expires. The .85-mill levy sought by the health board — although on its face a reduction in tax collections — actually will ask residents to dig just a little deeper into their wallets. County Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher said the health district has been operating for the past 30 years on renewals of an existing 1995 levy. A replacement levy, instead of another renewal, will allow the district to capitalize on property values that have risen substantially in the past three decades. The renewal levy, Fisher said, will assess property owners at a rate of $29.75 per $100,000 of valuation. That marks a slight increase from current assessments. Fisher is sympathetic to families that are already on edge due to a host of financial uncertainties but said the health board's first increase in 30 years is needed to keep the district's diverse public health outreach and prevention programs afloat. "When we put a levy renewal before voters 10 years ago we had great support. Nearly 75% of the votes cast were in favor. I realize it's a different economic climate now and that some families are struggling, but at the same time we need to get caught up with current (real estate) evaluations," Fisher said. "I'm hoping the voters will support us again." The replacement levy, if approved, will generate nearly $1.4 million annually to support a wide range of services to the more than 45,000 residents of Auglaize County. A sample of offerings and programs made possible through the health department include: —Community outreach efforts, including providing education for health professionals, participating in community health assessment efforts and health improvement plans. —WIC, or Women, Infants and Children, which provides supplemental food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income women with children up to age 5. —Help Me Grow, a free program for expectant parents and their children up to the age of 3. —Child car seat classes and child seat giveaways. —Cribs for Kids program, which provides Pack-and-Play cribs (based on income eligibility) so infants have a safe place to sleep. —Emergency preparedness, which offers training for public health leaders on how to respond during an emergency. "People are sometimes surprised at what all we do," said Fisher. "We do a lot behind the scenes but when people need us, we're there." A five-member board of health directs the district's policies. The health commissioner said a "team effort" is crucial to the levy's passage. "We have a levy committee that's working hard to get the word out. We hope the community will support us," Fisher said. "If the levy fails, we may have to look at some program cuts ... which is something we really don't want to do." Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Camden County Health Department consolidating all services into new location
Multiple clinics operated by the Camden County Health Department are shutting down as the department seeks to move its services into one location. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< CCHD is moving to Winding Road in Kingsland, which it says will 'improve [its] ability to provide vital public health services for many years to come.' As part of the transition, the health department clinic in Woodbine (1501 Georgia Avenue) and St. Marys (905 Dilworth Street), as well as the environmental health office in Kingsland (107 North Gross Road, Suite 4), will close on April 30th. That will leave patients largely without access until May 7th, when the new location opens. While services will be limited during this time, patients can still call with urgent needs. For clinical services between April 30th and May 6th, CCHD says to call 912-882-8515. For environmental health services, call 912-729-6012. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The health clinic offers the following services: Immunizations (children and adults) Women's Health Services (including birth control) Pregnancy testing Breast and Cervical Cancer Program STD testing and treatment HIV testing and services TB testing and treatment Children's Special Services Adolescent Health and Youth Development Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Environmental Health [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas Senate passes bill to ban junk food purchases with SNAP benefits
The Brief Texas Senate Bill 379, known as the "Make Texas Healthy Again Bill," would ban SNAP recipients from purchasing junk food like chips, candy, and sodas. It has passed the Senate and now heads to the House. Supporters, including bill author Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), argue it will reduce taxpayer-funded healthcare costs, as over 20% of SNAP funds are spent on junk food. Opponents, like Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston), warn it could hurt low-income communities with limited access to fresh food, calling food deserts a major concern. If passed, the bill still requires federal approval before becoming law. HOUSTON - A bill that would prevent Texas SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase junk food is moving forward in the state legislature. Senate Bill 379, known as the "Make Texas Healthy Again Bill," passed the Texas Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. The bill, authored by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, would prohibit SNAP recipients from buying items such as chips, cookies, candy, sodas, and energy drinks. Middleton states that the measure would reduce taxpayer-funded healthcare costs associated with poor nutrition. Supporters argue it could help combat rising obesity rates and diet-related health conditions. "Taxpayer-funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded healthcare," Middleton said. He cited data showing that more than 20% of SNAP funds are currently spent on these types of items. More than 3 million Texans rely on SNAP, a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. While supporters of the bill say it promotes healthier choices, critics warn it could disproportionately impact communities with limited access to fresh, nutritious food. "In rural areas, just like urban areas… there is no accessibility. Food deserts are real," said Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, who raised concerns about the bill's unintended consequences. Middleton, however, pointed out that most SNAP vendors are required to offer healthy food options and noted that another federal assistance program, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, already restricts junk food purchases. If SB 379 passes in the Texas House, it would still require federal approval before becoming law. For now, Texas SNAP recipients continue to have the same purchasing power. But if the bill moves forward, grocery store trips could soon look very different for those receiving assistance. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Sherman Desselle lisistened to Texas Senate sessions about the bill.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill would restrict junk food from SNAP benefits in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Kentucky lawmaker wants to put more restrictions on families who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). House Bill 279, filed by Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, would ban snap purchases of junk food and other 'accessory foods.' Items include: Soft drinks Prepared desserts Chips Energy drinks Other foods with minimal nutritional value Lockett argues the program should focus on nutrition, as obesity and diabetes hit low-income families hardest. Kentucky bill could reverse efforts to curb puppy mill suppliers Bill would restrict junk food from SNAP benefits in Kentucky Former Kentucky football player found dead in Las Vegas The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports SNAP spending on sugary foods outpaces fruits and vegetables by $400 million annually. This bill would follow the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children's (WIC) more strict guidelines to improve health and cut government healthcare costs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
