January 2010 - Program Updates

CPCHE launches environmental health checklist for child care setting

Through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and administered by OPHA, the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment has launched a new resource, Advancing Environmental Health in Child Care Settings: A Checklist for Child Care Practitioners and Public Health Inspectors.

More than half of all children in Canada aged six months to five years spend the majority of their waking hours in child care settings. CPCHE, with OPHA as the lead CPCHE partner, has teamed up with two leading public health inspector organizations — Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors – Ontario Branch (CIPHI-O) and the Association of Supervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario (ASPHIO) — to help make those environments safer and healthier for kids.

CPCHE’s newest publication is designed to assist child care practitioners and public health inspectors in identifying practical steps to reduce potentially harmful exposures to toxic chemicals and pollutants in child care settings. A user-friendly checklist, supplemented by supporting information and resources, addresses environmental health issues in a variety of typical indoor and outdoor settings. The ideas and suggestions included in the resource — ranging from choosing safer cleaning products and toys to introducing a scent-free policy or composting program — can help a child care centre go beyond regulatory requirements to create healthier indoor and outdoor environments for the children in their care. It is available as a free download or for purchase in hard copy from CPCHE's website.

This resource was developed by CPCHE in collaboration with CIPHI-O and ASPHIO and drew upon a baseline research study carried out by the Ryerson School of Occupational and Public Health. The project was part of a broader CPCHE initiative funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation via OPHA that also trained 45 “Local Champions” and assisted them in conducting their own outreach and awareness-raising events on children’s environmental health issues across the province.

 

Alcohol Policy Network's Annual Forum

The 7th annual Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity Forum will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the North York Memorial Hall in Toronto. The theme this year: Alcohol Policy: Time to Act! Current Research, Policy, and Practical Applications to Address Alcohol-related Harm.

We are honoured to have our Keynote Address delivered by Dr. Thomas Babor, University of Connecticut School of Medicine and lead author and principle investigator of the landmark book “Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity – Research and Public Policy.”

In addition, some of the confirmed speakers include: Denise DePape, Director, Alcohol Harm Reduction, Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, B.C.; Nancy Langdon, Program Development Officer, Ottawa Public Health; Andrew Murie, CEO, MADD Canada; and, Dr. Norman Giesbrecht, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Please note: the Ontario Injury Prevention Resource Centre (OIPRC) will also be holding an Injury Prevention Forum at the same venue on the next day, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. If you would like more information on their event, please visit their website. By attending both Forums you save over $40.