Policy Resolution CYF-16-27

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes that our constituents face a growing burden of largely preventable chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes;

WHEREAS, childhood obesity disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority populations;

WHEREAS, the NBCSL has previous policy resolutions recognizing the importance of preventing and reducing obesity, such as AGR-15-41 ���������������������������EXPANDING ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES VIA HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVES,��������������������������� AGR-13-15, ���������������������������ADDRESSING THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA��������������������������� and HHS-11ldren five years and younger not yet in kindergarten were in some form of non-parental care, more than half of which were in center-based child care programs;

WHEREAS, today’s children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices;

WHEREAS, early intervention around screen-viewing and physical activity are important in promoting an active lifestyle that carries into adolescence and adulthood;

WHEREAS, early dietary interventions may have immediate nutritional benefit and reduce chronic disease risk if healthful habits are carried into adulthood;

WHEREAS, a number of national civil rights and social justice organizations have expressed the importance of healthy early care programs; and

WHEREAS, federal, state, and city governments are working on initiatives and policies focused on improving nutrition and physical activity in child care settings.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes the importance of incorporating standards for nutrition, active play and screen time into child care environments;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL applauds Congress for its passage of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for working on the revisions for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges the dissemination of research and best practices pertaining to nutrition, physical activity, screen time, breast-feeding, and professional development to early care providers;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges the establishment of mandatory, statewide, quality rating improvement system for early care and education programs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL recommends funding for centers and providers serving the needs of low to moderate income communities to participate in these programs and meet the requirements;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release the final Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rules;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges the incorporation of nutrition, physical activity and screen time standards into statewide and/or local licensing requirements for early child care providers; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Mike Shelton (OK)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Children, Youth, and Families Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: ������������������Representative Mike Shelton (OK) and Representative Raumesh Akbari (TN)
• Ratified in Plr 4, 2015
• Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President