Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Young children are at high risk for contracting food borne illnesses that may have devasting effects. Training is coordinated through MATURA Child Care Resource and Referral for Adams County for both home day care and center based day care providers. There is a need to train these providers in current food safety practices to prevent an occurance of food borne illness.

Response:
Another Field Specialist developed a program, "Don't Give Kids a Tummyache" and offered to share with other Nutrition and Health Field Specialists. MATURA Child Care Resource and Referral needed a program that could be provided in a two hour class for child care providers in Adams county. This field specialist used the program with credit to meet the training requirements.

Impact:
A follow-up survey was sent to the 7 participants. Five were returned. The survey was of seven priniciples that were covered in the program. One particpant noted no behavior change, one had two behavior changes, one had three behavior changes, one had five behavior changes, and one person had six changes noted. So most of the participants had at least one positive behavior change related to food safety for youung children. The most selected behavior change was refrigerating cooked leftover foods in shallow containers for quick cooling. This slows the growth of potentially harmful bacteria or viruses

Contact:
Barb Fuller
Union County Extension
105 W Adams, Ste A
Creston, IA 50801
641-782-8426
bfuller@iastate.edu