Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)  is planning to introduce an amendment to the health reform bill that would promote physical activity, healthy eating, and childhood obesity prevention in a very important setting – the early childcare environment.  The amendment would establish a three year CDC pilot program that would provide grants to five state health departments (or other childcare licensing entities within the State) to provide or contract to provide training to staff at childcare centers and family childcare homes.  The training would focus on physical activity and healthy eating policies and practices that could be implemented in child care settings.  Childcare centers with trained staff would then receive grant funds to implement these practice and policy changes.  Best practices and lessons learned would be disseminated at the conclusion of the pilot and would be incorporated into future CDC guidance documents.

The Trust for America's Health is cooridinating a letter of support for the amendment.  Senator Udall has requested a deadline for the letter of Friday, December 4th.  If you have questions or would like to sign your organization on, please contact Daniella Gratale of Trust for America’s Health at dgratale@tfah.org.

Latest Text of the Amendment

Letter of Support