Who:  Indiana Department of Environmental Management

What:  Award presentation to Kare Bear Learning Center

Where: Kare Bear Learning Center, 10289 McKinley Highway, Osceola

When:  Friday, July 11, 12:30 p.m.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) staff will be presenting a plaque in honor of Kare Bear Learning Center's achievements in environmental stewardship at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at Kare Bear Learning Center,10289 McKinley Highway, Osceola.

"We have already saved money monthly on lower trash hauling and supplies thanks to the Five Star review of our facility," said Nancy Caenepeel, manager of Kare Bear Learning Center. "I strongly recommend other child care facilities consider contacting IDEM to learn how to become involved in the Five Star program."

IDEM worked with child care facilities, child care and youth associations, other governmental agencies, medical personnel and parents to develop the Five Star Environmental Recognition for Child Care Facilities program to help Indiana parents and child care facilities learn about the environmental health and safety threats that may affect children.

The program recognizes child care facilities that go above and beyond requirements and demonstrate environmental stewardship. Facilities earn one, three or five stars based on their voluntary measures. IDEM assists facilities in implementing the plans and conducts site visits before granting facilities membership.

Since the program began in 1998, stars have been awarded to over 100 child care facilities reaching an estimated 2,550 children.

"IDEM devised a way providers could be recognized because we believe children deserve a safe place to learn and play," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "There are over 100,000 children attending day care in more than 4,000 facilities throughout the state so anything we could do to involve the facilities was a worthwhile endeavor."

An added benefit of becoming an IDEM Five Star facility is the availability of grants. Money is available which can help reduce the cost of installing items made of recycled materials, such as playground equipment, picnic tables, carpet, fences, benches and more. The state will fund up to $5,000 (subject to eligibility). A 25 percent cash match is required. Members are eligible to receive grant funding under this grant once every two years.

Additional information about the IDEM Five Star Child Care program or grant opportunities can be obtained by calling Karen Teliha, Community Environmental Health & Education coordinator at (800) 988-7901 or by visiting http://www.idem.in.gov/.

About IDEM

IDEM (http://www.idem.in.gov/) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment. 

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