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Young students of different races read at a desk.

Ohio Healthy Programs

The Ohio Healthy Program was created in response to the growing concern surrounding childhood obesity. According to the 2019 Community Health Assessment, nearly 34% of 6th graders and 54% of 12th graders in Lorain County are overweight or obese. Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) trains and recognizes programs meeting Ohio Healthy Program standards.

Both early care and education programs have the opportunity to earn recognition as an Ohio Healthy Program. Designations are valid for two years and complement Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) Requirements. Contact the Child Care Resource Center with specific questions regarding SUTQ.

Child Care Resource Center supports early childcare centers with taking the steps towards designation: 

  • Attending Ohio Approved training for administrators, cooks, and teachers
  • Implementing one new wellness policy every two years
  • Improving menus
  • Engaging families

Center Resources

Trainings

  • Online Trainings: Webinars
    • Session 1: Healthy Habits, Parts 1-4. (10 hrs)
      • One teacher from each age group must attend.
    • Session 2: Healthy Menus (1.5 hrs)
      • The staff cook is to attend.
    • Session 3: Healthy Policy (1.5 hrs)
      • The administrator must attend.

There are many training options for teachers, cooks, and administrators. Visit OCCRRA to search for upcoming trainings. If you need assistance finding the next available training call us at 440-322-6367 and ask for Health Promotion.

Designated Programs

In Lorain County, the following programs have received and maintained their OHP designation as of July 31, 2022:

  • TDR
  • Faith House Daycare West
  • Faith House Sheffield
  • Horizon - Lorain Community Center
  • Little Lighthouse Learning Center
  • Oberlin Early Childhood Center
  • Kids Academy of Sheffield Lake
  • Lorain City Schools: Frank Jacinto, Garfield, Hawthorne, Helen Steiner Rice, Larkmoor, Palm and Stevan Dohanos
  • Kendal Early Learning Center
  • Horizon - South Elyria Wilkes Villa
  • Horizon - Cascade
  • Horizon - Southside Lorain
  • Horizon - East Lorain
  • Horizon - Elyria Dewhurst
  • All About the Kids
  • Neighborhood Alliance - Lorain
  • Neighborhood Alliance - Elyria
  • Head Start - Hopkins Locke
  • Head Start - Griswold
  • Head Start - Cascade
  • Head Start - LaGrange
  • Park Place Early Learning Center
  • Dani’s Garden
  • Child Garden Grafton
  • Child Garden Oberlin
  • Raquel’s Little Learners
  • Sylvia Oliver
  • Diane’s Day Care and Learning Center
  • Rockin Round the Clock Family Child Care

If your child care center is interested in Ohio Healthy Programs, contact us at healthed@loraincountyhealth.com. LCPH is available to assist your center, providing technical assistance and training that fit your schedule.

If you are a family childcare provider (Type A or Type B) and you are interested in Ohio Healthy Programs, contact the Children's Hunger Alliance at OHPFCCP@childrenshungeralliance.org to get started.