Louisville hosts first ever ‘Nurturing the Nurturer’ summit to help youngster care suppliers

Today, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is teaming up with Child Care Aware of Kentucky to host the first Nurturing the Nurturer Child Care Provider Self-Care Summit. The goal is to assist Jefferson County child care providers (infant through pre-K) to become empowered, connected, inspired, supported and celebrated through this free training event.

“I have been in communication with most of our city’s child care providers, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated issues that the child care industry had already been facing for years,” said Julia Mack, health education specialist at LMPHW. “We want those caring for our children to know we see your tears and hear your frustrations. This free, self-care training event is important because our child care providers are so important. They are essential in building a successful, thriving community and they need all the support we can give them.”

The workshop for child care providers will be held from 8 am to 1:30 pm Saturday, August 20 at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA, 930 W. Chestnut St.

Data about the current state of child care in Kentucky will be shared at the event. it will also consist of several different state-approved training sessions that include lessons in team building and self-care for the body and mind. In addition, vendor and resource booths will be set up as participants enjoy a free breakfast and lunch. Click here to see the full schedule of events.

“The Jefferson Regional office of Child Care Aware of Kentucky is pleased to partner with the community health educators of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness in hosting this Nurturing the Nurturer Self-Care Summit for our local child care providers,” said Hans Petersen, regional child care administrator of Child Care Aware of Kentucky. “It is but a small gesture of this community’s gratitude to acknowledge, elevate and support them with a day of food, free training and resources focused on self-care. They do the necessary and important work of caring for and educating our youngest children while engaging with and supporting families, day in and day out, under very challenging circumstances.”

“As a child care provider myself, I’m excited to take part in the Nurturing the Nurturer summit. It’s long overdue,” said Colita Reeves, program director and assistant child care director at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA. “A lot of times we, as caregivers, set aside our own needs to serve families whose needs may be greater. Though we love what we do, the stress of the job impacts both our physical and mental health.”

For more information about the 2022 Nurturing the Nurturer Child Care Provider Self-Care Summit, visit our health education page at louisvilleky.gov.

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ABOUT LOUISVILLE METRO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is a nationally accredited, independent, academic health department committed to achieving health equity and improving the health and well-being of all Louisville residents and visitors.