WHEREAS, child care health consultants (CCHC) are trained health professionals with education and experience in both child and community health and early care and education; and
WHEREAS, CCHCs assess, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to achieve high quality, safe, and healthy child care environments; and
WHEREAS, qualified CCHCs in North Carolina have successfully completed the North Carolina Child Care Health Consultant course provided by the North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center, a program within the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the child care health consultation profession; the first professional CCHC was trained and certified in 1996, and since then, over 500 professionals have been trained nationwide; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent report by the Gillings School of Global Public Health, there are approximately 42 local child care health consultants working across 32 counties in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, these professionals support child care programs to comply with regulations and encourage programs to develop policies that promote best practices, reflecting the most current science-informed and evidence-based practices; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina commends the vital professional work that child care health consultants have contributed to children, youth, and families across our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 18 – 24, 2021, as “CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANT WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.