Alaska Child Care Workgroup Addresses Childhood Obesity

At A Glance

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (Alaska DHSS) provided resources and support to form the Alaska Alliance for Healthy Kids—Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workgroup. Participating organizations include those that provide licensing, training, and technical assistance to child care centers. The Workgroup identifies technical assistance and training needs to help child care centers align with recommended nutrition and physical activity policies for preventing childhood obesity.

Public Health Challenge

According to the 2013 Alaska Childhood Understanding Behaviors Survey results, more than 33% of 3-year-olds in Alaska are overweight or obese (BMI at or above the 85th percentile). Several statewide organizations are working to make child care centers healthier to combat rising childhood obesity rates. Some agencies govern licensing requirements, while others provide technical assistance and training for early child care centers. Because each organization has a different role in the ECE work, the need for collaboration was clear; however, many agencies had never worked together before.

Approach

In 2015, the Alaska Alliance for Healthy Kids—ECE workgroup was formed to help lower the childhood overweight and obesity problem in Alaska. The Alaska DHSS Obesity Prevention and Control Program invited a variety of ECE partners to meet and plan together for the first time. State partners included the Alaska Child Care Program Office, the Alaska Childcare Resource and Referral Network, the Quality Rating and Improvement System, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Primary points of contacts from each organization were identified and meeting times were established so the team could focus on strategic collaboration and implement an action plan to make child care centers healthier.