Children's Environmental Health Network

What Children's Environmental Health Network does

Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in the early 1990s and headquartered in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to protect children from environmental health hazards and promote a healthier environment. The organization serves as the national authority on children's environmental health, focusing on cleaner air and water, safer food, climate change, toxic-free economy, healthy places, environmental justice, and access to nature. Its primary constituents are child care professionals, health professionals, policymakers, families, and educators.

CEHN's core programmatic asset is the Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) endorsement program — the only national certification of its kind, in operation for over 14 years, which recognizes child care facilities that meet 30 of 35 environmental health best practices. The product portfolio also includes a three-hour bilingual e-learning course distributed through ProSolutions and Emory University School of Nursing at $30 per enrollment, the Lead-Safe Toolkit (developed with NCHH and NAFCC, funded by JPB Foundation), State Children's Environmental Health Profiles, an annual Children's Environmental Health Day, and a voter guide for child-protective policy. CEHN's technology is content-and-certification based rather than software-based: there is no API, SDK, or AI/ML component; the "platform" is the endorsement workflow, training infrastructure, and a deep library of factsheets, FAQs, sample policies, and toolkits.

The business model blends earned revenue with philanthropic support. Earned revenue is generated through low-margin EHCC endorsement fees ($25-$50 for a two-year endorsement), e-course tuition ($30), and a small merchandise store. The bulk of operating support derives from foundation grants (JPB Foundation is named) and individual donations channeled through GiveButter and One Percent for the Planet. Distribution occurs through embedded channels — state QRIS systems (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah), state child care licensing (Minnesota as the template), national accreditation bodies (NAEYC, AELL), and a dense coalition network spanning climate, housing, and environmental justice agendas.

Name

Children's Environmental Health Network

Legal name

Children's Environmental Health Network

Website

https://cehn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Children's Environmental Health Network is a 30-year-old Washington D.C. nonprofit that operates the Eco-Healthy Child Care® endorsement program, e-learning courses, lead-safe toolkits, and policy advocacy to reduce environmental health hazards for children across the U.S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Eco-Healthy Child Care® Endorsement Fees: Child care facilities pay endorsement fees to receive EHCC certification. Endorsement costs $25 or $50 depending on facility size, with a $10 discount for early renewal. Endorsement lasts for two years.
2. E-Learning Course Fees: CEHN offers the Protecting Children's Environmental Health e-course for $30 to child care professionals and health professionals. The course is available in English and Spanish on ProSolutions (for child care) and Emory University School of Nursing's platform (for health professionals).
3. Donations and Grants: CEHN receives donations from individual supporters (evidenced by donation links on website) and likely grants from foundations (JPB Foundation funded the Lead-Safe Toolkit development).
4. CEHN Store: The organization operates a merchandise store (cehn.printful.me) selling branded items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CEHN protects children's health from environmental hazards through its Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) national endorsement program, which certifies child care facilities meeting 30 of 35 environmentally healthy best practices, and delivers fee-based e-learning training to child care and health professionals. The organization supplements these core offerings with science-based toolkits (including the Lead-Safe Toolkit), state environmental health profiles, policy advocacy resources, and the annual Children's Environmental Health Day observance.

Product overview

The Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) operates primarily as an advocacy and education organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offering is the Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) program, which provides technical assistance, training, and endorsement services to child care professionals to reduce environmental hazards in child care settings. The EHCC program includes an endorsement for facilities meeting best practices, an e-learning course available in English and Spanish through ProSolutions, and a Lead-Safe Toolkit developed in partnership with the National Center for Healthy Housing. Additional offerings include State Children's Environmental Health Profiles, an annual Children's Environmental Health Day event, Voter Guides for child health advocacy, and a comprehensive library of factsheets and FAQs on various environmental health topics. The organization does not appear to offer a software product, API, or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC): A national program of CEHN that partners with child care professionals to eliminate environmental hazards found in and around child care facilities. The program develops training and education materials, runs an endorsement program for child care providers, and works to advance environmental protections for children in child care across the country.

Products and services

• Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) Program National program delivering technical assistance, training, and resources to child care professionals on reducing environmental hazards within child care settings. Identifies common toxicants found within and around child care facilities and works to prevent adverse health effects from exposures. For child care providers and child care professionals.
• EHCC Endorsement Program Certification program for child care facilities that comply with 30 out of 35 simple, free or low-cost environmentally healthy best practices. Facilities pay $25 or $50 to receive endorsement, valid for two years, with a $10 discount for early renewal. For child care centers and family child care homes.
• Protecting Children's Environmental Health E-Course Interactive three-hour e-learning course training child care professionals on reducing environmental hazards in child care facilities. Costs $30 per participant, available in English and Spanish, and approved for adult learning clock hours in all U.S. states including Washington D.C., Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Offered through ProSolutions for child care professionals and Emory University School of Nursing's platform for health professionals providing continuing nursing education contact hours.
• Lead-Safe Toolkit for Child Care Comprehensive toolkit helping child care providers understand and address common sources of lead exposure, including policies and worksheets for lead in paint, drinking water, soil, and consumer products. For child care providers and family child care professionals.
• Children's Environmental Health Day (CEH Day) Annual event celebrated the second Thursday of October to raise visibility of children's health issues, celebrate successes, share new initiatives, and discuss challenges. Over 160 CEH Day Partners celebrated in 2023. For child health advocates, nonprofits, sustainable businesses, and government agencies worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% of children's health issues can be prevented by addressing environmental factors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

43 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Women for a Healthy EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia) to bring Eco-Healthy Child Care® Endorsement to early learning centers through one-on-one consultations with program directors. Operates 1000 Hours a Year program in Allegheny County addressing lead and radon hazards, and recruits 200 early learning providers for EHCC endorsement in Philadelphia with EPA grant support.
• Helen R. Walton Children's Enrichment CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwest Arkansas nonprofit operating the first healthy early childhood campus in the nation focused on eliminating toxicants and chemicals for young children's health. Serves as model for eco-healthy child care practices and shares knowledge on reducing exposures through best practices.
• Community Public Health Environment Initiative at the University of Maryland School of NursingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides health oversight for children and families served by Baltimore City Early Head Start, Head Start, and Family Support Centers. Implements EHCC checklist through initial walk-through, technical assistance, and reassessment. Focuses on vulnerable low-income populations.
• All Our KincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational nonprofit that trains, supports, and sustains family child care providers. Serves nearly 1,100 family child care providers educating over 6,000 children in Connecticut and New York City. Offers EHCC Protecting Children's Environmental Health e-course to staff and plans to offer training to educators.
• National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains Caring for Our Children (CFOC), a collection of national standards representing best practices for quality health and safety policies. Partnered with EHCC to develop, improve, and disseminate best practices for safe and healthy learning environments.
• National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational nonprofit promoting health and safety in regulated settings. Invited EHCC to review and develop state child care standards. Participates in EHCC advisory committee and assists in distributing information to licensing professionals.
• National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy housing organization; joint summer fellowship program with CEHN. Since 2018, working together to provide lead prevention resources and technical assistance to home-based child care professionals. Built lead prevention best practices into national standards and working to embed them into NAFCC accreditation.
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to advancing family child care through connecting practice, policy, and research. Partnered with EHCC and NCHH to address lead poisoning and develop Lead-Safe Toolkit. Part of Early Years Climate Change Task Force.
• Climate Equity CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership engaging nontraditional partners in climate innovation. CEHN serves as founding member, co-leading to center initiatives on climate education, children's environmental health, and environmental justice. Assists corporate partners with ESG commitments and workforce needs.
• America the Beautiful for All CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition co-led by CEHN, GreenLatinos, and The Wilderness Society. Works to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and oceans by 2030 with Justice40 metric ensuring 40% of investments in communities of color and frontline communities.
• Cancer Free Economy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork working toward cancer-free economy. CEHN serves as co-leader of Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative and Pesticides Reduction Action Agenda within the network.
• Healthy Air PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on clean air advocacy and policy. CEHN participates to advocate for strong clean air regulations.
• Clean Water for AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocating for clean water protections. CEHN participates to protect clean water for children.
• Friends of National Environmental Health Institutes (FNIEHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting NIEHS mission and programs. CEHN participates to advocate for children's environmental health research.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting CDC programs and public health initiatives. CEHN participates to advance children's environmental health protection.
• National Environmental Health Partnership Council (NEHPC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership council focused on environmental health. CEHN participates to advance policy and advocacy efforts.
• National Council for Environmental Health and EquityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil focused on environmental health and equity. CEHN participates to bring children's health perspective to environmental justice work.
• Science Action NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting scientists and advocates for action. CEHN participates to translate science into policy advocacy.
• Coalition for Healthier SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on health and safety in school environments. CEHN participates to extend environmental health work to school settings.
• National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health SectorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAM action collaborative working to decarbonize healthcare. CEHN participates to ensure children's health considerations in climate action.
• Global Children's Environmental Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network connecting children's environmental health organizations. CEHN participates in global forums and initiatives.
• National Radon Action Plan Leadership CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership council working to reduce radon exposure. CEHN participates to address radon as children's environmental health issue.
• DC Environmental Justice CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on environmental justice in DC. CEHN participates to advance equity in children's environmental health.
• National Institute of Health Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH board focused on environmental influences on child health. CEHN participates to contribute children's environmental health expertise.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative Steering CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee working to replace lead service lines. CEHN participates to address lead exposure as children's environmental health issue.
• National Environmental NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork coordinating annual working meeting. CEHN coordinates the national environmental network's annual gathering.
• Maryland Health Professionals for a Healthy ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaryland coalition of health professionals focused on climate action. CEHN participates to advance climate and children's health.
• American Public Health Association (APHA) Children's Environmental Health CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPHA committee focused on children's environmental health. CEHN participates and contributes to APHA CEH work including factsheets and lesson plans.
• Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Western States PEHSU's Childhood Cancer and the Environment Program helping pediatric providers answer questions about environmental influences on childhood cancers. Also partner on green cleaning curriculum.
• OSU ASPIRE CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOregon State University center focused on children's environmental health research translation. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training.
• Southern California Center for Children's Environmental Health Research TranslationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional center focused on children's environmental health research translation. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training initiatives.
• Kid's BREATHE CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter focused on children's respiratory and environmental health. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training.
• Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards Collaborative Center in Children's Environmental Health Research & Translation (NYU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYU collaborative center focused on environmental hazards research translation. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training.
• Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional center focused on children's environmental health. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training.
• Center for Children's Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Racism (CHARTER) at EmoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmory center focused on children's health assessment and environmental racism. CEHN collaborates on awareness, education, and training.
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal institute funding children's environmental health research. CEHN serves as National Coordinating Center for NIEHS Collaborative Centers in Children's Environmental Health Research and Translation (CEHRT).
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accreditation body for center-based child care with over 80,000 members. In 2016, collaborated to update Early Childhood Program Standards to include comprehensive environmental health best practices.
• Association for Early Learning Leaders (AELL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accreditation body for center-based child care. In 2020, adopted many of EHCC's best practices into their accreditation standards.
• Environmental Law InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal institute supporting ATSDR's Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education program. Since 2017, EHCC has collaborated with ELI to assist state health departments in implementing safe siting guidance.
• National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization representing local health departments. EHCC collaborated with NACCHO to assist ATSDR in providing support to state health departments on safe siting implementation.
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency creating Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education Program. EHCC collaborates with Environmental Law Institute and NACCHO to assist 28 state health departments in implementing safe siting initiatives.
• Charity NavigatorminorOthersCharity rating organization. CEHN is rated and listed on Charity Navigator (EIN: 52-2305620).
• GuideStar/CandidminorOthersCharity transparency organization. CEHN maintains a profile with GuideStar showing transparency seal.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH): Healthy housing nonprofit and CEHN's direct partner on the Lead-Safe Toolkit and joint summer fellowship. Operates a closely comparable mission (environmental health in residential/child care settings), technical assistance model, and federal/funder relationships; the most direct peer.
• Women's Voices for the Earth: National nonprofit advocating for toxic-chemical reduction in consumer products and everyday environments. Comparable mission, advocacy-driven nonprofit model, and focus on health-protective policy—particularly women's and children's exposure to chemicals.
• Defend Our Health (formerly Safer Chemicals Healthy Families): State-focused nonprofit running TSCA-focused toxic chemical campaigns targeting vulnerable populations including children. Operates a similar advocacy + science-to-policy translation model with comparable revenue scale.
• Toxic-Free Future: Northwest-focused nonprofit eliminating toxic chemicals from consumer products, with PFAS advocacy and broader toxic-free-economy work. Mission overlap is high; both organizations center child and family health in environmental advocacy.
• Center for Environmental Health: Nonprofit using science and legal action to eliminate harmful chemicals from consumer products, with longstanding focus on children's environmental health. Similar nonprofit advocacy + science translation model and comparable Washington/regional presence.
• Safer States Coalition (formerly Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families network): Network of state-based environmental health organizations running coordinated toxic-chemical advocacy. Serves a comparable systems-change function to CEHN's coalition work, but across broader state environmental health campaigns rather than exclusively children's exposures.

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Working Group (EWG): Large, well-funded environmental health advocacy nonprofit with deep federal presence and consumer-facing research. Operates in adjacent space (chemicals, children's health) but at materially larger scale and broader remit than CEHN's child care focus.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Major environmental advocacy organization with substantial children's environmental health programming. Significantly broader scope and budget; could be considered a peer only insofar as it competes for the same federal/funder attention on children's environmental health.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Large science-based environmental organization with active health-and-environment advocacy. Overlaps with CEHN on climate, air quality, and chemical policy affecting children, but at far greater scale and on a broader portfolio of issues.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Council on Environmental Health: Professional pediatric society with a dedicated Environmental Health Council producing clinical guidance, policy statements, and training on children's environmental exposures. A peer only for the provider training and policy guidance sub-segment of CEHN's work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cehn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvJZvG8c5GXeIeR5zWvPm_A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childrens-environmental-health-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/childrensenvironmenthealthnetwork

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Children's Environmental Health Network