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Volume 1, Issue 1 - Feb 2022

Some infant powdered formula has been recalled due to possible bacterial contamination

OLYMPIA – Abbott Nutrition announced late on Thursday, February 17, that it is voluntarily recalling infant powdered formula produced at their Sturgis facility in Michigan. This includes Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare brand formula.

The recall comes after four consumer complaints about infant illnesses related to Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella bacteria. In all four cases, infants were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating and working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state, and local partners to alert customers to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products manufactured at that facility.

The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formula if:

• The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and

• The code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and

• The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

One of my biggest fears as a new parent has always been choking hazards.

I would go back and forth scanning the house to make sure nothing too small was in my baby's reach. I would make certain the food was cut to the perfect size and so on.

Even now that I have two toddlers, I still worry as I watch them putting things in their mouths that who knows where they found them. They are radars that can find the smallest craziest thing around the house.

From my experience and from what I learned from experts while writing the Simplest Baby Book in the World, there are three main things babies can choke with:Big chunk of food

1. Big chunk of food

2. Inappropriate toys

3. Small clothing pieces such as buttons

Over the past few years, being a dad, I realized that I could control some things and others I couldn't. So here is what we can control:

1. Watch What They Eat. Keep a close eye on what you, and others, feed your baby (up to toddler age).

2. Make Meal Rules. Always make your child sit upright when they eat.

3. Give Them Age-Appropriate Toys and remove any smaller parts.

4. Be Fully Present with Them and Watch Them Closely.

One last thing before I sign off: know that if an incident ever happens, you are not alone, and many other parents have been through the same experience as you do. Learning how to aid a choking baby and learning baby CPR can save the day and reassure you big time.

FREE Online Childcare classes

Funded by a generous Haller Grant, Prevention Works! is providing FOUR FREE ONLINE CLASSES. The first two were held on February 16 and 23rd and are available online here: https://pw4kids.org/news-events/

The next classes are Wednesday March 2 and March 9 at 6:30 PM.

This report outlines how the U.S. child care system has changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents continue to struggle finding and affording child care as they re-enter the workforce. Child care programs are short-staffed with providers feeling burned out. The pandemic is still causing uncertainty and confusion for our child care system.

Demanding Change contains four sections: child care supply, demand, affordability and the child care workforce. Each section features data from our annual survey, along with compelling case studies that highlight the immense strain that families and child care providers are facing.

For a more in-depth look at the Demanding Change Report, register for our upcoming 60 minute webinar on Feb 23 at 1 PM ET. We will discuss changes in the supply of child care since the pandemic began, provide information on child care prices and how these prices compare to inflation and highlight case studies we conducted on child care demand and the child care workforce. The webinar will also be recorded so you can view it at a later time if needed. Register Now

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Child Care Task Force

Prevention Works! has a Task Force working to increase Child Care options in Clallam County!

If you have ever thought you would like to take care of children and/or work the business, this is the time to look into completing training and maybe even starting your own business. Child Care Centers need staff. If you would rather work for yourself or in a smaller program, Family Home Child Care businesses are needed too!

Please check out https://youtu.be/DIQO_n-3db8 to find a great video of local providers talking about their experiences and a resource list of how to become trained and/or licensed to do child care.

If you have questions, Joy Sheedy is available to help you find the information you need. Please leave a message for Joy at 360.457.6549. She will return your call as soon as possible.

Child Care Crisis - Prevention Works! (pw4kids.org) View Video at https://youtu.be/DIQO_n-3db8

Do you need Child Care?

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families - dcyf.wa.gov website Child Care Check includes:

• Licensed Child Care, ECEAP and Head Start programs

• How long the provider has been licensed

• How many children and the age ranges of the children the provider may care for

• Current licensing status (i.e., non-expiring license, initial license, probationary license)

• The name and contact information for the licensor

• Information on valid complaint findings within the last six years

• Background check status for the past three years

• Routine licensing inspections and resulting compliance agreements as of July 1, 2011

• Closed providers, whether suspended, revoked, etc.

• Certified child care providers, which are providers who are exempt from being licensed but wish to show they meet state licensing requirements

• Number of slots for ECEAP and Head Start programs

• Whether the provider participates in Early Achievers, Washington's quality rating and improvement system.

• The provider's Early Achievers rating and what that rating means

• When available, a personalized statement, provided by an Early Achievers provider, highlighting unique qualities of their program

Am I Really My Child’s First Teacher? - NAEYC

2-year-olds aren’t terrible–they’re just learning how to be human

When looked at with fresh eyes, these misbehaviors can make sense, even to us. Then you will be able to guide your child through it to a more socialized way of being.

Ask any parent what he or she wants most for their children and the majority will say, “I want my child to be happy."

Yes, parents also want their kids to be safe and resilient, knowing the world can be an adversarial place and that in order to truly succeed in life—in whatever they aspire to do and be—they need to develop certain emotional skills and become well-adjusted.

They will also say they want their children to be “kind," “caring," “respectful," and often “successful" and “smart." These are all values that most of us share. Who wouldn't want a child to grow up to be kind, caring, successful, and happy?

This drive we have as happy-seeking, often overachieving parents begins early—our plump little babies are allowed to coo, cry, spit up, and awaken us at night until they are about one year and 10 months. Then, whammo! As soon as they reach 2 years old, suddenly and as if overnight, we have a whole new set of rules for them: we want them to behave, listen, follow rules, and “be nice."

Clallam County Resources!!!

First Step Family Support Center has an extensive Resource List at https://www.FirstStepFamilySupportCenter.org

This lists EVERYTHING parents may need. Examples: Pregnancy/Maternal Care/Parenting, Clothing and Baby Items, Emergency Housing and Food, Transportation, Dev. Resources/Screenings, Domestic Violence, and SO much more

Dad Allies: Provider Learning Series

The Dad Allies Initiative established a series of responsive community, provider, and dad focused events to build Washington state's father-friendly capacity to support dads to become the fathers their children and families need them to be.

These knowledge- and skill-building sessions with state and national presenters are held to strengthen our provider network to effectively engage and support fathers and father-figures.

Upcoming Events:

Queer Dads Myths and Realities: March 22, 2022; 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Dad Allies Learning Series.Queer Dads.pdf

For more information: Dad Allies: Provider Learning Series | WA Interagency Fatherhood Council (wafatherhoodcouncil.org)

Sign up now to join the 21-Day Challenge and help us build a universal read aloud habit!

What To Do With a Big Box? – Make a Town

A recent delivery came in a big box! The was much excitement as the big kids and I surveyed the long, but shallow box and pondered what we could do with it. It wasn’t big enough for a cubby, and it was too big to make into a car. Then I had an idea…

I got out the markers and drew some roads on the bottom of the box, then left the kids to decide what to do next.

PBS Kids for Parents

Make a Nature Journal to Observe AnimalsAn animal observation journal is a great way to keep a record of the amazing animals you observe where you live and for sharing those observations with others.