www.FredParent.NET • • • • 17 • • • • • • • 17 • • 17
Smart Beginnings:
Curbing Childhood Obesity
Smart Beginnings
Rappahannock Area's
mission is to lead com-
munity partners in maxi-
mizing and coordinating
resources that ensure
equal opportunities for
all young children, birth
to 5, to be ready for
school and ready for life. Smart Beginnings
is funded through donations, as well as
through grants from the Virginia Early
Childhood Foundation.
According the website, VECF has been
selected for second year funding from
Nemours/CDC to continue Virginia's "Taking
Steps to Healthy Success" child obesity
prevention project, with the Fredericksburg
Region being a targeted focus area.
"Smart Beginnings will be working with VECF to
recruit 12-13 centers to participate in the ini-
tiative," stated Sara Branner, executive director
of Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area.
Kerry Pinto is a freelance writer living
in Stafford.