News for the community, families and early childhood educators of Duplin County.

August 2016

Inside this Issue

Page 1 Child Care

Scholarship Program

& Car Seat Workshop

Page 2 Immunization

Awareness

Page 3-4 Sun Safety Guide

Page 5 Arts & Crafts

Page 6 Recipes

Page 7 Provider Trainings

Child Care

Scholarship Program

Fondos para el

Cuidado de Niños

This activity provides financial assistance to Duplin

County parents to pay for child care. This program

is available to parents/guardians of children birth

through five, so they can go to work, attend school,

or participate in job training activities. For more

information about applying for child care assistance

or questions about this program, please contact

Rita Flynn at 910-296-2000.

Esta actividad proporciona asistencia financiera para

pagar por el cuidado de los niños en el Condado de

Duplin. Este programa esta disponible para los

padres y tutores de los niños desde el nacimiento

hasta los cinco, para que puedan ir a trabajar,

asistir a la escuela, o participar en actividades de

capacitación para el empleo. Para mas información

sobre este programa, contacte a Rita Flynn al

910-296-2000.

Car Seat Workshop

August 19, 2016 9:00 am-11:00 am

At Duplin County Partnership for Children For more information, please call 910-296-2000.

Taller de Asientos

de Niños: 19 de Agosto 2016 9:00 am-11:00am

Al Duplin County Partnership for Children Para mas información,

llama al 910-296-2000.

Page 2 Parent Corner

August is National Immunization

Awareness Month

Immunizations are a safe, cost effective way to

protect against serious, and sometimes deadly

diseases. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, Immunization

Awareness Month highlights vaccines for

different age groups each week.

Week 1: Young adults age 19-26 are at a

higher risk for certain vaccine preventable

diseases, such as meningitis.

Week 2: Preschool and school age chil-

dren are exposed to germs that spread easily in

schools and child care facilities. Many families

have not seen the effects of diseases that are now

prevented by vaccines. Families can talk to a

health care provider about the role of vaccines in

preventing illnesses.

Week 3: Adults age 26 and older need

vaccines, too. Vaccine schedules for all age

groups are available at

www.immunize.nc.gov/family/index.htm

Week 4: Infants and toddlers should receive

14 vaccinations by two years of age. Pregnant

women can ask health care providers about

vaccines they need while pregnant. They can

start planning for their infants vaccinations.

For more information, please visit:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html

Agosto es el Mes Nacional de la

Conciencia Sobre las Vacunaciones

Las vacunaciones son una manera segura y

rentable de protegerse contra enfermedades graves

y, a veces, mortales. Los Centros de Control y

Prevención de Enfermedades patrocinan el Mes

nacional de la conciencia sobre las vacunaciones.

Cada semana de este mes se ponen de relieve las

vacunas para un grupo de edad específico.

Semana 1: Los adultos jóvenes de 19-26 se

encuentran en situación de alto riesgo de contraer

ciertas enfermedades que se pueden prevenir con

vacunas, tales como la meningitis.

Semana 2: Los niños en edad prescolar y

escolar se exponen a gérmenes que se propagan

fácilmente en las escuelas y en los centros de

cuidado infantil. Muchas familias no han visito los

efectos de las enfermedades que actualmente se

pueden prevenir con vacunas. Los familiares

pueden hablar con un proveedor de asistencia

médica sobre el papel de las vacunas en la

prevención de las enfermedades.

Semana 3: A Los adultos mayores de 26 años

también necesitan vacunas. Los calendarios de

vacunas para todos los grupos de edad se

encuentran en

www.immunize.nc.gov/family/index.htm

Semana 4: A los bebes y los niños pequeños

se les deben haber puesto 14 vacunas antes de que

hayan cumplido 2 años de edad. Las mujeres

embarazadas les pueden preguntar a sus

proveedores de asistencia que vacunas necesitan

durante el embarazo, y pueden comenzar a planear

las vacunas de su bebe.

Hay más información en:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html

Page 3 Parent Corner

2 MILLION+

2015 SUN SAFETY GUIDE FOR CHILDREN From your backyard to the playground, swimming pool or park, some of your kids’ favorite times are spent in

the sun. But during the fun, children are vulnerable to harmful sun damage, even more than adults. Protect your

precious ones with this step-by-step guide from Healthy Child Healthy World, powered by EWG.

STEP 1. KNOW THE RISK Why Sun Safety Matters Skin cancer is the most common form of all cancers in the

U.S. The steps you take today can help protect your family

from being counted in these numbers:

block harmful UV rays. Clothing made with thick fabric,

tight weaves and dark or bright colors can provide extra

protection.

• Wear sunglasses. A good pair of general-purpose

medium to dark shades with large lenses and

wraparound design will help shield eyes from the UV

radiation that causes cataracts.

• Stay in the shade. Whenever kids are outdoors, keep them in the shade as much as possible. Use the stroller’s

73,877 Estimated melanoma

diagnoses in 2015

2.8X Increase in new melanoma

cases over the last 35 years

hood or canopy, look for trees and overhangs, and

install umbrellas or awnings over favorite play spots like

your backyard or patio. (Bonus: shade keeps little feet

happy on hot sidewalks and play equipment.) Keep a

sun umbrella in your car for impromptu stops.

• Schedule outdoor time. Early morning and late afternoon

Increase in new melanoma cases over the last 35 years

Estimated new cases of basal and squamous cell skin

cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year

STEP 2. START NOW FOR LIFELONG BENEFITS Kids have adorable pink cheeks, but red, sore, blistered or

peeling skin?That means far too much sun. It takes only a few

blistering sunburns during childhood to double their lifetime

chance of developing a serious form of skin cancer. Adopt

these healthy habits to keep your kids safe now and in the

future:

• Cover up. The best way to protect your kids from sun damage is to keep their skin covered. Wide-brimmed hats or visors and loose-fitting shirts, shorts and pants

are the best times for outdoor fun.The sun is lower then; UV radiation peaks at midday.

NO SUN FOR INFANTS » Keep infants under six months out of direct sun.

Their skin is not yet protected by melanin.

» Consult your doctor before using sunscreen, but

when shade isn’t an option, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that small amounts of sunscreen can be used on infants as a last resort. Zinc and titanium-based sunscreens are best.

» Talk to your pediatrician about vitamin D. Children and people with limited sun exposure may be

deficient; breast-fed infants need supplements.

Page 4 Parent Corner

STEP 4. TAKE GOOD HABITS ON THE GO

STEP 3. CHOOSE AND USE SAFE, EFFECTIVE SUNSCREEN Follow these tips and visit the EWG Sun Safety Guide to find

a good sunscreen for your family:

• Apply and reapply. Apply sunscreen liberally and

reapply it often, especially if your child is playing in

the water or sweating a lot. Since young children’s

skin is especially sensitive to chemical allergens, test

sunscreen by applying a small amount on the inside of

your child’s wrist the day before you plan to use it.

• Stick with lotion. Spray-on sunscreens seem great for

squirming kids and hard-to-reach areas, but they may

pose serious inhalation risks and provide inadequate

coverage.

• Check ingredients. Certain ingredients may pose

health risks. Avoid retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and

oxybenzone, a synthetic estrogen that penetrates the

skin and can disrupt the hormone system. Look for zinc

and titanium-based sunscreens instead.

• Beware high SPF.That high “sun protection factor” refers

only to protection against UVB radiation, which burns

the skin. It does little to protect you from damaging

UVA rays and may give a false sense of security. Avoid

products labeled with anything higher than SPF 50 and

reapply sunscreen often, regardless of SPF.

• Skip sunscreen/bug repellent combos. Use separate

products to ensure adequate application of both

products and limit absorption of repellent ingredients.

Practice sun safety at home and everywhere life takes you

with these simple steps:

• Plan ahead. Any outing can turn into unexpected sun

time. Pack your diaper bag, purse and car with essential

sun safety supplies like protective clothing, hats and

sunscreen. Send your child to school or daycare with

these as well.

• Ask questions. Your child’s school or daycare may

have policies that interfere with sun safety, such as

treating sunscreen as a medicine or prohibiting hats

or sunglasses. Ask about these policies, if shade is

available on the playground, and what times of day

outdoor play is scheduled.

• Tell your network. Dropping off your kids for a playdate?

Tell your family and friends why sun safety is important

and how they can support your efforts. They’ll learn a

few tips for themselves.

STEP 5. SET A GOOD EXAMPLE Parents, take note! One of the best ways to keep your kids

safe is to model good behavior. In surveys, fewer than one

in three adults report using sunscreen frequently, and even

fewer say they routinely seek shade, wear a hat or cover up

with long sleeves. Dads – surveys show that you are half as

likely as moms to wear sunscreens.

Teach your kids good habits now to help protect them for life.

Page 5 Parent Corner

Materials

empty cartons, washed and dried

acrylic paint

paint brush

water

paper towel

nail or screwdriver

string or yarn

scissors

utility knife

bird seed

Instructions

1. With help from an adult, use a utility knife to cut the sides

out of a carton.

2. Place the carton on a protected surface and paint with

acrylic paints. Let dry

3. Poke a hole into the top on each side of the carton with a

nail or screw driver.

4. Thread a piece of yarn or string through the carton and

knot at the top to hang.

5. Fill with bird seed and find the perfect location outside to

bird watch.

Birdhouse Crafts for Kids

Five Little Birds

One little, two little, three little, four little,

Five little birds so small;

One little, two little, three little, four little,

Five little birds on the wall.

Kitty Cat came from a nearby bush…..MEOW!

Gave the garden gate a push…...SQUEEEAK!

And one little, two little, three little, four little,

Five little birds went WHOOSH!

Page 6 Parent Corner

Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole with Ham and Peas

Total Time: 30 min Yield: 4 servings Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped One 8-ounce piece deli ham, diced 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth One 17.5-ounce package potato gnocchi 1 cup frozen peas, thawed 1/4 cup heavy cream Kosher salt and freshly ground black

pepper 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese Directions: 1. Preheat the broiler to high heat. 2. Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the onions

and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the ham and thyme and continue to cook until the ham is lightly browned.

3. Add the chicken broth and 3/4 cup water and bring to a simmer. Add the

gnocchi, stir well, cover and cook until the gnocchi is slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Uncover and stir in the peas, cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and broil until golden and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Serve.

From Food Network Kitchens

Page 7 Provider Corner

Quick Tip:

Open a window. Did you

know indoor air is typically

more polluted than outdoor

air in even the largest and

most industrialized cities?

Let the bad air out and

better air in! Opening a

window for even a few

minutes a day can

significantly improve your

indoor air quality and help

your family breathe easier.

For more information,

visit www.healthychild.org

08-11-16 Getting To Know Families

(Infant/Toddler Teachers Only)

DCPFC 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

1.5 Credit

Hours

$5.00

08-25-16 Getting To Know Families

(Preschool Teachers Only)

DCPFC 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 1.5 Credit

Hours

$5.00

09-15-16 ITS-SIDS DCPFC 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 1.5 Credit

Hours

$5.00

Developing Healthy Sleep Habits

Families and early educators can work

together to make sure children get the

sleep they need. For example, if a child

has not slept well during the night her

parents can let early educators know their daughter may

need an extra nap that day. If early educators know the

child is often tired, they can talk with the family about the

child’s need for more sleep.

Sleep routines help children develop healthy sleep habits.

Sleep routines might include dimming the lights, reading a

story, and listening to soft jazz, lullabies, or quiet classical

music. Toddlers and preschoolers might like to cuddle a

favorite stuffed animal. Children who sleep in safe,

predictable, and pleasant environments begin to look

forward to going to sleep.

Healthy sleep habits can last a lifetime.

For more information, visit www.kidshealth.org

EPR Training for FCCH will be held on

September 8th & September 15th. The training will begin

promptly at 6:00 pm. Must attend both sessions in order to

receive credit. Must call to register. Space is very limited.

Training will begin promptly at 6:00 pm.

Donor Levels: $10-$49 Friend $50-$99 Patron $100-$249 Bronze $250-$499 Silver $500-$999 Gold $1000 + Platinum

Duplin County Partnership for Children is a 501(c) 3

private, nonprofit organization. Therefore, all donations

are tax deductible. All contributions are appreciated. If

you would like to make a contribution, make checks

payable to the Duplin County Partnership for Children.

Name________________________________

Address______________________________

______________________________

Daytime phone (____) ___________________

Amount enclosed ___$100 ___$50 __$25

___other

Your donation will help ensure that young children in

Duplin County are healthy, safe, and ready for school.

Contact Information

Telephone: 910-296-2000

Fax: 910-296-1497

Website: www.dcpfc.org

149 Limestone Road

PO Box 989

Kenansville, NC 28349

Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Library Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30 am-4:00 pm

Duplin County

Schools will

begin class on

August 29, 2016.