Bill Text: HI HR143 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Task Force; Development of Early Learning Wellness Guidelines

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-28 - Re-referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 45 [HR143 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-HR143-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	143
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO ESTABLISH EARLY LEARNING WELLNESS GUIDELINES.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Education, the years from birth through age eight are the most critical for brain development, and significant evidence from research and evaluation demonstrate that participation in high-quality early learning programs will lead to both short- and long-term positive outcomes for all children, especially those with high needs; and

 

     WHEREAS, early learning programs play an integral part in children's development by providing good nutrition and offering physical activity and other learning opportunities that contribute to school readiness and a successful future; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Executive Office on Early Learning was established in 2012 to coordinate efforts on behalf of young children, prenatal to age eight, by creating partnerships and alignment of policies and programs to achieve improved outcomes in health, safety, school readiness, and success; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Executive Office on Early Learning indicates that continuing research affirms the positive effects of high-quality early learning programs on the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and economic outcomes of young children; and

 

     WHEREAS, establishing early learning wellness guidelines will increase the likelihood that young children who attend early learning programs will adopt healthy habits early in life; now, therefore,
     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a task force, in partnership with the Executive Office on Early Learning and the Department of Education, to establish early learning wellness guidelines; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership of the task force comprise:

 

(1)  The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

 

(2)  The Director of Human Services or the Director's designee;

 

(3)  The Superintendent of Education or the Superintendent's designee;

 

(4)  The Director of the Executive Office on Early Learning or the Director's designee; and

 

(5)  Three individuals with a background or interest in early childhood education and are appointed by the Governor; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force members select one of the task force members to serve as chairperson of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the early learning wellness guidelines be applicable to all programs and services of the State's early learning system and the guidelines, at a minimum:

 

(1)  Include goals for nutritious foods, health education, physical activity, and other activities designed to promote childhood wellness;

 

(2)  Are consistent with the State of Hawaii Wellness Guidelines for Department of Education schools;

 

(3)  Are sensitive to family choice and cultural diversity;

 

(4)  Establish plans for the adoption and dissemination of the early learning wellness guidelines as well as monitor and measure the implementation of the guidelines in early learning system programs and services; and

 

(5)  Are provided in a manner so as to be consistent with the specific needs and requirements of early childhood education and care agencies in the State; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including the early learning wellness guidelines, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2014; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on June 30, 2014; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Superintendent of Education, and Director of the Executive Office on Early Learning.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Task Force; Development of Early Learning Wellness Guidelines