A new program is helping child care centers in Johnson County create safer environments for children at no cost to the centers.
Healthy Spaces Happy Children was launched by Improving Kids Environment, a part of the Hoosier Environmental Council, and focuses on advancing programs and public policies to reduce environmental threats to children’s health.
IKE’s top priorities are environmental triggers of asthma and reducing childhood lead poisoning. Child care centers in Marion and Johnson counties are eligible to apply and receive free assistance through the program. IKE will provide free technical assistance and resources to help child care centers receive information and resources for free.
The main goal of the program is to create asthma-friendly spaces and reduce the risk of lead exposure in children, said Katya Drake, environmental health associate with HEC.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can be found in soil and homes. New data has shown that no amount of lead in the blood is safe, according to Indiana Lead Free, an initiative by the state to educate Hoosiers on lead exposure and how to prevent it.
Historically, lead has been used in gasoline, paint, plumbing pipes and even cosmetics. Significant disparities in lead exposure persist along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The biggest risk to children is exposure to lead-based paint. Homes built before lead paint was outlawed in 1979 make up 57% of Indiana’s housing. When paint peels, it makes lead dust that exposes children. Children less than six years old are at a higher risk of lead exposure because their bodies are more susceptible to taking in lead and young children tend to put their hands or other objects in their mouths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Elevated blood lead levels can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to lower IQ’s and slow growth and development. Children exposed to lead can develop hearing and speech problems as well as learning and behavior problems, leading to decreased ability to pay attention and under-performance in schools, according to Indiana Lead Free.
“Lead is a very serious issue. There’s lots of old housing stock in Indiana that has lead paint, which if you are a two-year-old, you’re putting your hand to mouth motion. You’re putting lots of things in your mouth that may be contaminated with lead. And providing child care centers with the ability to say ‘Okay, these are the things that we should be looking out for as a child care center.”
One in 16 children in Indiana has asthma, according to the Indiana Department of Health. About 33% of Indiana residents were advised in 2022 to change things in their environments to improve asthma. About 33% of emergency department visits for children in 2019 had a principal diagnosis of asthma, according to IDOH data.
Child care spaces are unique when it comes to environmental triggers and healthy spaces, Drake said.
Cleaning supplies like bleach and Lysol that keep childcare centers clean can also trigger asthma in children. Common triggers of asthma include chemical irritants, allergens such as pollen, pet hair or mold, exercise and changes in the weather, Drake said. Respiratory infections such as the common cold, flu or COVID-19 can trigger asthma in children as well, according to the IDOH.
“It’s not like this program is trying to say ‘oh my gosh, you’re doing something terrible. You’re doing a bad thing,’ No. This program is to help childcare centers and spaces be environmentally healthy and asthma-friendly… We’re trying to help and assist childcare centers” Drake said.
There are three levels of Healthy Spaces certification that child care centers can achieve: Platinum, Gold and Silver. Each level requires a minimum number of activities to be completed in environmental asthma triggers, lead and chemical management. Activities include training, policy and implementation activities.
“At the end of the day — these are the next generation of people who will eventually run the world, right? We want to make sure that they are becoming the best version of themselves and helping them to do that …,” Drake said. “I do think that giving every child the ability to be in an environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly space is great.”
Providers receive up to two benefit packages. The first includes free educational materials, signage and technical assistance such as water testing, lead screening kits and a one-on-one walk-through assessment. IKE will provide a second benefits package after certification that includes a choice of vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, water purifiers, environmentally friendly art kits, gift cards and more.
Upon successful completion of the program, centers will receive free promotion via social media, listing on IKE’s website, and use of the Healthy Spaces Happy Children logo.
“I think having any form of support, any form of getting extra supplies and materials that will help bring in more children, but also say ‘Hey, we’re staying on top of things and we have support to do the things we want to do, I think that’s very important that childcare centers have access to those materials,” Drake said.
A recognition ceremony for successful participants will be held on May 4.
IKE will help child care centers implement a strategy for healthier environments, Drake said. To be eligible for the program, child care providers must be licensed in Marion or Johnson counties and serve children ranging from zero to six years old.
To apply, childcare centers should submit an interest form to [email protected] and complete a self assessment through IKE’s website.
For questions or concerns, email Katya Drake at [email protected]
