October is national Children's Health Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of protecting children from a variety of hazards, including environmental risks. For families with children enrolled in Chesterton and Valparaiso's Wee Care Child Development Centers, this month takes on a special significance.
 
Wee Care joined the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM's) Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for Child Care Facilities, and Susan Thode, director of education, has seen many positive changes.
 
"Since we started looking into the Five Star program, we saw a dramatic increase in our enrollment," said Thode.  "Today we have a waiting list anywhere from six months to one year.  We have not had teacher turnover, and children and staff seem happier and healthier.  When we went through the Five Star self study, it made us look at our school with 'new eyes'."
 
Thode also said improvements at the facilities are ongoing. "We are now constantly evaluating ourselves and trying to make positive changes," said Thode. "Some improvements we made as a result of the Five Star program include installing a carbon monoxide alarm, using energy- efficient lighting, and only using two light bulbs per fixture instead of four. We also installed a digital thermostat that resets the temperature when the building is not occupied.  We changed the exit signs to LED bulbs and now use an energy star printer and put the computer on sleep mode.  We turn lights off at night now.  We purchased reusable cups and trays, and we also removed all air fresheners to remove a possible asthma trigger."
            
IDEM worked with child care facilities, child care and youth associations, other governmental agencies, medical personnel and parents to develop the Five Star program to help Indiana parents and child care facilities learn about the environmental health and safety threats that may affect their children.

The Five Star program recognizes child care facilities that go above and beyond requirements and demonstrate environmental stewardship. Facilities earn one, three or five stars based on the extent of their voluntary measures; the Wee Care Child Development Centers earned five stars.

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 thousands of 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."

Applicants are evaluated based on their efforts to reduce children's exposure to mercury, lead, mold, asbestos, radon, pesticides, and carbon monoxide, and PCBs. In addition, many of the facilities have started recycling programs, developed formal written plans for chemical management, made efforts to purchase items made with recycling content material, and reduced energy usage.

Applicants must also address issues such as the cleaning and maintenance of their facility, proper employee training, energy efficiency, indoor and outdoor air quality, vehicle idling, recycling and environmental education.

Grants are available for IDEM Five Star child care facilities that can help reduce the cost of installing items made of recycled materials, such as playground equipment, picnic tables, carpet, fences, benches and more. With a 25 percent cash match, members are eligible to receive a maximum of $5,000 every two years.

Additional information about the Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for Child Care Facilities or grant opportunities can be obtained by calling Karen Teliha, Community Environmental Health & Education Coordinator, at (800) 988-7901 or by visiting http://www.in.gov/idem/4413.htm.

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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