The Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services administers the Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) program, a five-star quality rating and improvement system.
SUTQ standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children. It also recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed licensing health and safety regulations.
All early childhood education programs funded by the Ohio Department of Education are required to participate, and each program must receive a 3, 4 or 5 star rating to maintain state funding.
Horizon Education Centers provides healthy snacks and lunches for our students through the Child Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP plays a critical role in supporting the wellness, health and development of children through the provision of nutritious foods.
Meals and snacks served through the CACFP program are based on dietary guidelines for Americans, which means students receive meals and snacks with a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, more whole grains and less added sugar and saturated fat.
Because Horizon participates in CACFP, we are required to serve meals and snacks with the same guidelines as the public school districts. We ask that if you are packing a lunch for your child, due to dietary restrictions, please make sure the packed lunch follows these guidelines:
2 oz proteins (meat, cheese, nut butter, hummus, etc.)
2 oz fruits
2 oz vegetables
6 oz dairy or dairy alternative
2 oz whole grain
*These are minimum amounts allowed
Please do not send snacks, such as chips, snack cakes, candy, cookies. Also, Horizon is a peanut free organization. If items containing peanut ingredients are sent in, they will be returned for your child to take home.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our CACFP Coordinator Lisa Nunn.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
Throughout the year, Horizon students participate in field trips to locations like the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, the Natural History Museum, libraries and more.
During the summer months, we encourage summer reading with incentives, library and mobile library visits.
We also offer Yoga 4 Classrooms, which is an evidence-based yoga and mindfulness program for schools that promotes social, emotional and physical wellness, learning readiness and positive school climate.
