Ohio Healthy Programs (OHP) - post

The Ohio Healthy Programs for child care facilities address the significant issue of childhood obesity, as highlighted by the CDC's 2018 report revealing that 1 in 5 children are affected. In Ohio, WIC data from the same year indicates that 14.6%-15.4% of 2-4 year olds were overweight, emphasizing the urgency of preventative measures.

Recognizing that childhood habits play a crucial role in long-term #health, the Ohio Healthy Programs (OHP) initiative focuses on Early Care and Education (ECE) and Out-of-School Time programs. For related professional learning, explore ChildCareEd’s Healthy Habits from the Start Buy Now $24.00 and On My Plate: Children’s Nutrition Buy Now $24.00. These courses cover related topics; confirm with OCCRRA or the appropriate Ohio agency whether any training applies to your program’s requirements. OHP strives to instill #healthy habits, implement nutritious #menus, establish health-oriented policies, and foster family #engagement to combat childhood obesity. Professionals in the field can undergo Ohio Healthy Program Ohio Approved Training, emphasizing these key areas.

The designation of an "Ohio Healthy Program" is awarded to programs that successfully implement positive changes. The program is funded by the Ohio Department of Health, and steps toward designation involve attending Ohio Healthy Programs Ohio Approved professional #development, implementing a wellness policy, improving menus, engaging families, sharing success stories, and completing the Ohio Physical Activity and Nutrition Assessment. Program administrators can then apply for the designation through the Ohio Professional Registry Organization Dashboard.

Ohio Healthy Programs training consists of three sessions:

1. Healthy Habits (Session 1): Geared towards #teachers, this session covers structured and unstructured physical activity ideas, infant feeding, trying new foods, picky eating, eating practices, healthy food options, growing children's self-esteem, descriptive praise, children's benefits of growing plants, and practical ideas to engage families in healthy behaviors. Related professional learning includes ChildCareEd’s Balancing Physically Active Play in Child Care; verify with the relevant Ohio agency or registry whether this course is accepted for any specific requirement.

2. Healthy Menus (Session 2): Designed for cooks or administrators, this session includes making healthy menu choices, resources for menu and snack planning, a 4-week cycle menu, healthy celebration ideas, and strategies to save food costs. For additional meal and snack ideas, read how child care providers can serve healthy meals and snacks children enjoy. For seasonal menu planning, this guide to healthy holiday eating habits offers nutrition education and ideas for families and child care centers.

3. Healthy Policy (Session 3): Targeted at administrators, this session delves into the program's role in healthy living and preventing childhood obesity, the purpose of healthy program policies, conveying healthy messages through policies, and strategies to overcome barriers to policy implementation. For broader strategies that support healthy habits, see how child care programs can build healthy eating habits that last.

The training requirements vary for different roles within child care facilities:

• Family Child Care: Must complete Ohio Healthy Programs Session 1 (Healthy Habits), Session 2 (Healthy Menus), and Session 3 (Healthy Policy).

• Program Administrators: Must complete Ohio Healthy Programs Session 3 (Healthy Policy).

• Program Cooks: Must complete Ohio Healthy Programs Session 2 (Healthy Menus). If there is no designated cook, the program administrator may take Session 2 (Healthy Menus).

• Program Lead Teachers: Must complete Ohio Healthy Programs Session 1 (Healthy Habits). Additionally, a teacher from each age group served must attend the training.

How can a program work toward Ohio Healthy Programs designation?

The article describes a sequence of steps, but administrators should verify the current criteria and application process with OCCRRA before planning or reporting progress. Start by identifying who is responsible for the program’s wellness policy, menus, family communication, and physical activity practices. Use the applicable assessment to identify changes the program can make, assign owners and timelines, and keep records of training and implementation. Check the official Ohio Healthy Programs page for current instructions and confirm any registry or dashboard steps with OCCRRA; names and procedures can change. Before submitting, gather training records, policy documents, assessment results, and any other materials listed in the current application instructions.

For more information and application procedures please visit: The Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) and the Ohio Healthy Programs page.

How can child care teams put wellness practices into daily routines?

Teams can translate broad wellness goals into observable daily practices. For physical activity, review the schedule for opportunities for both planned movement and active free play, adapting activities so children with different abilities can participate. For meals and snacks, use consistent routines and allow children to respond to hunger and fullness cues; avoid pressuring children to eat or labeling foods and bodies in ways that may create shame. Offer varied foods repeatedly and model curiosity rather than treating a child’s preferences as misbehavior.

Family partnership can make these practices more consistent. Share menus and classroom wellness goals in accessible language, invite families to contribute cultural food traditions or activity ideas, and ask about relevant dietary needs. When a child has a medical dietary restriction or feeding concern, follow the program’s established health plan and communicate with the family rather than improvising. Assign staff responsibility for documenting practices and reviewing the wellness policy, then discuss barriers and adjustments as a team. For more practical ways to support children’s wellness across nutrition, movement, routines, and emotional development, see How Can Child Care Providers Build Healthy Habits for Young Children?

What should administrators verify before applying?

Before treating a training session or designation step as a licensing requirement, distinguish among state rules, OCCRRA program criteria, employer expectations, and optional professional development. Confirm which roles must complete each session, how completion is recorded, whether the assessment or policy template has changed, and what documentation an application requires. Requirements may differ by program type and staff role, so use current official Ohio guidance rather than relying on an old checklist or an informal summary.

Keep a record of the date each requirement was checked, the official source consulted, and any guidance received from OCCRRA or the licensing agency. If course eligibility is unclear, ask the agency or registry before enrollment and retain its response. This approach helps administrators avoid confusing completion of a related course with official approval, designation, or compliance.

What is the main takeaway about Ohio Healthy Programs?

Ohio Healthy Programs offers child care teams a framework for strengthening wellness practices through training, policies, food choices, activity, and family partnership. Programs can use the role-based sessions and assessment described here as a starting point, then confirm current eligibility and application steps through OCCRRA. Verify Ohio-specific requirements and course acceptance with official sources before making compliance decisions.

For more information on the importance of recognizing obesity in children, read ChildCareEd's article: The Importance of Recognizing Obesity in Children. You may also find practical food-exploration ideas in Healthy Cooking for Picky Kids.