It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
– Mahatma Gandhi

A new coalition is rallying the nation’s early childcare centers to improve their preparedness for food allergic emergencies. This multi-disciplinary group of childcare professionals, healthcare providers, parents, and advocates, spearheaded by Kaléo, have united to form the Early Childhood Anaphylaxis Collaborative to drive anaphylaxis preparedness in the early childcare setting.

“While general food allergy awareness has increased, many people don’t realize that the symptoms of anaphylaxis may present differently in younger children compared to older children. Also, reactions do not always present after the first exposure to a food,” said Alice Hoyt, M.D., F.A.A.A.A.I., Chief Allergist at the Hoyt Institute of Food Allergy and Chair of Code Ana, and a founding partner of the Collaborative. “Young children are typically unable to articulate their symptoms, which can result in allergic reactions going undetected until symptoms worsen, which increases the risk of bad outcomes. We must ensure childcare providers can recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and have an emergency response plan that includes access to undesignated, stock epinephrine.”

The Collaborative was previewed during the annual meeting of the Association for Early Learning Leaders with a group discussion to share resources, discuss real-world scenarios, and equip childcare providers with practical tools to respond to allergic emergencies in young children. To learn more and join the Early Childhood Anaphylaxis Collaborative, visit www.ECACollaborative.com.

In addition to food allergies, early care and education leaders, whether in large or small organizations or home-based childcare, face multiple health and safety challenges from lice, gluten-free needs, administering medications, filling out incident reports…the list is long and daunting. We’re here to help! The Exchange Essentials article collection, Health and Safety First-Aid Kit, is full of support from ECE experts. We hope you’ll find what you need to help you confidently address many of today’s trickiest issues.