Food Allergy Research & Education to Conduct Training for New York City Preschool and Early Childcare Staff

NEW YORK, NY (May 3, 2018) –Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is working with the New York City  Administration for Children’s Services to deliver in-person and online food allergy training today and tomorrow to hundreds  of NYC EarlyLearn program administrators, teachers and staff. These efforts are critical to providing a safe and nurturing environment at preschools and daycare facilities and are in keeping with FARE’s extensive educational programming designed to protect individuals with food allergies.

One out of every 13 children today is allergic to at least one food, and nearly 40 percent of these children have experienced a severe or life-threatening reaction. Many of these reactions happen at school, and children in early education programs are at the highest risk for having allergic reactions in a school setting.​ However, with today’s tools and education, allergic reactions to food are largely preventable.

Over the years, FARE has worked with the some of the largest school districts in the country to develop food allergy policy and guidelines to meet the management and care needs of students with food allergies. In addition to training hundreds of staff members in person this week, an additional 2,000-3,000 personnel will have the opportunity to be trained virtually.

"Ensuring that our youngest and most vulnerable children in the early child care setting are protected is a top priority and we are pleased to work with the New York City Administration for Children's Services on this initiative,” said Carlea Bauman, Vice President of Education & Community Initiatives at FARE. “It is critically important for all adults that work with young children to know what it takes to keep those young children with food allergies safe and included."

Aligning with the recommended practices found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs, FARE will provide NYC Administration for Children’s Service’s EarlyLearn administrators and staff with a foundation of knowledge to successfully manage food allergies, avoid exposure to allergens, and to recognize and respond to a food allergy reaction. Participants will learn strategies and action steps to provide a safe and supportive daycare or preschool environment in which the risk of food allergy emergencies are reduced and/or eliminated.

“It’s important that our EarlyLearn program staff have the training and resources they need to appropriately recognize and respond to an allergic reaction. We are pleased to work with FARE to bring top-notch food allergy training courses to our preschool and early childcare staff. At ACS, our top priority is to keep the children we serve safe and this collaboration reflects that commitment,” said ACS Commissioner David Hansell.

Educating adults that work with young children is key in managing food allergies in the early child care setting. FARE recently released its updated “Keeping Students Safe and Included” online training, which is available to schools for free and may be viewed at foodallergy.org/k12.