Senate Passes Child Care and Community Block Grant Reauthorization On March 13, 2014, the Senate voted 96 to 2 to pass S. 1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (CCDBG), reauthorizing the the CCDBG Act of 1990 through Fiscal Year 2020. The bill was lauded as an example of how the Senate can function as a bipartisan legislative body. CCDBG is designed to help low-income parents with child care when they return to the workforce. A portion of the funds are also for activities related to improving quality of care such as provider training. The new version of the law would set higher standards for child care providers. It would also outline improvements to the quality of childcare programs, such as requiring states to set aside a larger percentage of funding to improve program quality. For amendments and more information about the bill, click here.
Infant Sleep (White Noise) Machines Potentially Harmful to Babies’ Hearing A new study by researchers from the University of Toronto measured sound level output of infant sleep machines in hospitals. The research findings suggest that consistent use of these machines could put infants at risk for sound induced hearing loss and auditory development. Read more about the study here.
Genes Play a Significant Role in Parenting and Parenting is Also Influenced by the Child’s Behavior A study involving more than 20,000 families has been conducted by two Michigan State University psychologists. The study involved a statistical analysis of 56 scientific studies from around the world that have studied parenting behavior. The results of this analysis show that parenting styles stem from many factors, including genetic influences. One outstanding finding was that children’s own characteristics play an important role in all areas of parenting. Read more about the research here.
Infections Caused by a Specific Type of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria are on the Rise in U.S. Children According to a new study conducted by a team of researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, a specific type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in U.S. children. The bacteria, though still rare, are increasing and is being found in children of all ages, especially those 1-5 years old. The findings raise concerns that oral treatment options may not be effective the way they have been in the past. Researchers are calling for more needed research to define risk factors for these infections in children. Find more information about this study here.
Significant Depletion of Folic Acid in Pregnant Women Caused by High UV Exposure This recent study from Queensland University found High Rates of UV exposure significantly depleted folate levels in pregnant women and those women planning to become pregnant. “This is concerning as the benefits of folic acid are well-known, with health professionals urging young women to take a folic acid supplement prior to and during pregnancy,” researcher Professor Michael Kimlin said. For more information click here.
This News Roundup was compiled and co-authored by Jean Kurnik, M.A.
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