1. Early Childhood PSE Best Practices Los Angeles LHD Presented by: Leyla Marandi, MPH Early Childhood Analyst Los Angeles Department of Public Health

2. Early Childhood Program Administered as an in-house program through our LHD. Facilitates nutrition education and obesity prevention strategies by implementing healthy site changes/policies. – Early childhood providers, parents, relevant community settings. Our target for FFY2013-14 included state preschools, Head Start programs, and license-exempt child care.

3. Main Strategies Conduct self-assessments and undertake improvements in healthy eating and physical activity policies at child care sites. Incorporate Farm to Fork or Harvest of the Month curricula. – Occidental College partnership, Farm to Preschool. Provide education and printed resources for families to promote healthy eating and active living in the home environment.

4. From Contra Costa “CHOICE Manual”

6. Training & Technical Assistance Relationship building. Leveraging NEOP resources to incentivize PSE work. – e.g. nutrition education classes, cookbooks, posters and handouts. Following up with email communications and helpful tips/resources.

7. Healthy Celebrations ABC Unified School District Childcare Centers

8. Barriers License-exempt providers are a diverse, hard to reach population  Difficulty in recruitment. – Friends, family, neighbors. State Preschool and Head Start programs have less flexibility to add additional curricula due to state/federal requirements. Frequent staff turn over in child care setting. Costs (e.g. produce or additional staff training time).

9. Facilitators Early child care community is highly invested in child development and well-being. Many families recognize childhood and adult obesity as major health problem  increasing interest in healthier lifestyle. Strong partnership opportunities with other early childhood implementing agencies.

10. Thank you! Contact Information: Leyla Marandi, MPH Early Childhood Analyst Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Los Angeles County Department of Public Health 3530 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 351-7838 lmarandi@ph.lacounty.gov