 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between Jan. 1 to Feb. 20, more than 150 cases in 17 different states have been reported. There are currently three simultaneous outbreaks of the virus, the largest is connected to Disneyland outbreak and the other two are in Illinois and Nevada.
Is more than 150 cases a lot? In recent years, there were reports of more than 600 cases of the measles. However, one month into 2015, the number of measles cases is nearly one-sixth of last year's total reported cases.
Before the introduction of measles vaccination in 1963, the average yearly number of measles cases was 549,000. Although a single dose vaccination was developed, the number of cases were still above 50,000. In 1989, a two-dose vaccination regimen was recommended and in 2000, the constant presence of the measles was declared eliminated in the United States.
Measles is a highly communicable respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air. Measles typically begin with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out. To provide your child(ren) with a long-lasting protection against measles, make sure they get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine according to the CDC’s immunization schedule. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/.
For more educational resources on measles, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/measles/resources/parents-caregivers.html.
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 Healthy Child Care Iowa has developed weather watch guidance for early education and child care programs to help identify inclement weather conditions. According to the 3rd Edition of Caring for our Children, children should play outdoors when the conditions do not pose a safety risk, individual child health risk, or significant health risk of frostbite or of heat related illness. In working with the National Weather Service, the Iowa Department of Public Health has identified the wind chill and heat index limits to help child care providers determine safe play conditions and assist with planning health provisions.
For more information or to print the weather chart, visit: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/common/pdf/weatherwatch.pdf
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Region 3
It's Soup-erific!!! The Snoopy class of the Little Eagle Child Care Center in Kearneysville, West Virginia celebrated National Soup Month in January, the perfect month to celebrate and enjoy all kinds of soup. The class decided to weather the blizzard and keep warm with a bowl of hearty vegetable soup. The 3 year old class prepared their own lunch using nutritious vegetables. They combined all the delicious ingredients in a crock pot and voila, they enjoyed a bowl of warm goodness in addition to a sandwich and fruit. They really enjoyed making soup magic. During their cooking experience, they were able to learn about their five senses, practice following directions, and learn how healthy nutrients can grow a healthy body.
Volunteering in Child Care Centers!
Many of our Child Care Centers are starting new Parent Advisory Committee’s, reinvigorating their Boards of Directors, and forming committees to help the Boards with special issues such as fundraising and special children's activities. It seems like a good time to remember some of the issues our volunteers have, especially if you are a federal employee.
Essentially, all federal employees are encouraged to volunteer. In fact agencies are encouraged to recognize their employees who volunteer their skills to help others. However there are some restrictions, for example:
- The employee may only use Government equipment or property for authorized purposes.
- The employee may only use official time to perform official duties.
- An agency may require that the employee meet with an ethics official before volunteering.
- There are restrictions on appearing before a Government agency or employee on behalf of an entity for which the employee is volunteering.
- There are restrictions on working on a matter in your Government job involving the entity for which you are volunteering.
Below are some links that may be helpful in answering questions your Boards and/or volunteers may have. An individual can always consult their ethics officials about specific situations. The list of ethics officials are in the links below.
The Office of Government Ethics has helpful information related to this topic: http://www.oge.gov/Topics/Outside-Employment-and-Activities/Volunteering---Other-Unpaid-Activities/.
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/related-information/
GSA Board of Directors Child Care Resource Book: http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/pbs/boardofdirectorsnew.pdf
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