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Child Care NPA Forums

2026 Information

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is offering two Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) Forums in 2026. The forums highlight and demonstrate methods for integrating nutrition education, edible gardens, wellness policies, and physical activity into child care centers and homes. Participants will learn ways to create environments that maximize opportunities for children to develop healthy eating habits and to move their bodies to learn. These forums provide a unique platform where early childhood educators can express challenges and develop solutions toward supporting active living and healthy eating environments. All attendees will receive a toolkit with a variety of resources that they can immediately utilize in child care centers and homes.

Table of Contents

Agenda

Sections Times
Arrival, Registration, and Morning Snack   8:00–8:30 a.m.
Session 1: Welcome, Warm-Up, and Introductions 8:30–8:50 a.m.
Session 2: Child and Adult Care Food Protram (CACFP); Preschools SHINE 8:50–9:30 a.m.
BREAK 9:30–9:40 a.m.
Session 3: Integrating Health and Nutrition Into Everyday Curriculum 9:40–11:35 a.m.
LUNCH (Lunch provided) 11:35–12:05p.m.
Breakout Session 4: Edible Classroom Gardens or Active Bodies, Active Minds  12:05–1:50 p.m.
Breakout Session 5: Edible Classroom Gardens or Active Bodies, Active Minds 1:55–3:40p.m.
Summary and Q&A; Evaluation and Professional Development 3:45–4:00 p.m.

Registration Links and Cost   

Coming Soon! Dates, times, and locations for the 2026 Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) forums are pending. 

Space will be limited to the first 75 registrants. Please check back soon to register. 

The cost to attend a forum is $35 and includes a morning snack and lunch. All forum participants will receive a certificate of Completion and a tote bag filled with nutrition and garden curricula, nutrition-related books for children, and physical activity music and props.

Sessions and Speakers

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Preschools SHINE
Speaker: Madison Fellenz, MPH—Child and Adult Care Food Program, CDSS

Integrating Health and Nutrition Into Everyday Curriculum
Speaker: Leticia Marin, CDM—Neighborhood House Association

Edible Classroom Gardens
Speaker: Vanessa Forwood—Soil Born Farms

Active Bodies, Active Minds
Patricia A. Kimbrell, M.Ed.—San Diego State University

Target Audience

Any staff contributing to the wellness environment of the child care program are welcome! This may include, but is not limited to, child care center teachers, directors, family child care home providers, and monitors from sponsoring agencies. Attendance is limited to two staff members per site.

Recommendations to Optimize Experience

Dress comfortably. The NPA forum is made up of hands-on sessions; participants will be physically active—especially during the Active Minds, Active Bodies session.

Professional Development Hours

The NPA Forums offer 7.0 professional development hours which will help teachers renew their Child Development Teacher Permit, required for Title V programs. A certificate of completion will be available upon completion of the NPA Forum.

Cancellation and Refunds

We regretfully cannot issue refunds for this event; however, a substitute participant may be sent in place of the original participant.

Contact Information

For help with registration, to cancel an existing registration, or for inquiries about the wait list for the NPA Forums, contact Megan Blackburn, WestEd Project Coordinator, by email at childcareforums@wested.org or by phone at 800-770-6339.

For questions about the content in the NPA Forums, contact Madison Fellenz, CDSS Nutrition Education Consultant, by email at Madison.Fellenz@dss.ca.gov.