Oconto County Department of Health and Human Services is proud to announce that nine Oconto County Child Care Providers completed the Healthy Loving Environment program for 2022. There were a total of 30 participants in this pilot program. Carla Ruechel, Oconto County Child Care Coordinator and Heather Blum, Oconto County Public Health Environmental Health Professional collaborated to develop this new pilot program for Oconto County’s child care providers. The six-month program consisted of environmental health topics about Toxic Substance Storage and Handling, Lead, Radon, Mercury, Air Quality, Communicable Diseases, Food Safety and Integrated Pest Management. These topics were delivered to the participants once a month for an hour over Zoom. Continuing education credit was given to each participant. Monthly incentives were given away for attendance with the help of donations from our community partners, Oconto, Oconto Falls, Gillett and Pulaski Fire Departments, Bellin Health, Newcap, Oconto County Economic Development, Oconto Lions Club and Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
The following providers successfully completed the Healthy Loving Environment Program:
- Oconto Area Non-Profit Child Care, Oconto
- Little Giggles Childcare, Oconto
- Jamie’s Child Care, Oconto Falls
- Sunshine Child Center Inc., Gillett
- Play Days, Gillett
- Cuddle Bugs Childcare, Abrams
- Building Blocks Childcare Center, Sobieski
- Country Kids Family Day Care, Pulaski
- Precious Cargo, Pulaski
These providers will be displaying the Healthy Loving Environment sign at their facilities. Please look for their signs in our community.
Due to the success of the pilot program, the Healthy Loving Environment program will continue next year with new and exciting topics.
Please join us in congratulating each and every one of these Oconto County child care providers who have made this commitment to making their child care a Healthy Loving Environment!
