West Hazleton child care facility honored

April 01-- Apr. 1--A West Hazleton child care facility earned national recognition from a group that sponsors organizations enrolled in the USDA Child Food Program.

Caridad Hernandez of Caridad Hernandez Group Home Child Care received the good word last week from the National Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors Association.

The Austin, Texas, organization spotlighted Hernandez for the outstanding work she does as a child care provider, specifically her focus on children's physical and mental health.

"It consists of giving a good start to the day -- especially when it comes to children," Hernandez said. "They need good nutrition with all the necessary components."

She serves a healthy breakfast, she said, because it helps the youngsters to be alert, active and ready to learn. She and the children also eat together and talk about the importance of good nutrition.

Once they've finished eating, the children participate in both indoor and outdoor activities. Many in her care like to dance.

"When the time comes to dance, they can express themselves with an air of freedom where their body completely moves without stopping," Hernandez said.

They've also walked around the community with Hernandez to places like the firehouse, police station and library.

"The important thing about physical activities is that they can be done in many ways where it keeps the child in constant movement," she said.

Hernandez said that she also stresses the importance of family time in her facility and the children's homes.

Since 1986, the CACFP has been the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. It provides education and support to thousands of members and strives to improve communication between families, caregivers, sponsors and their supervising government agencies.

"I became part of the CACFP when I realized that as a provider I needed a source to educate myself about nutrition and acquire knowledge," Hernandez said.

-- JILL WHALEN

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