Posts Tagged ‘health’
Putting together a COVID-19 vaccine policy for your Head Start program
As of the writing of this blog, approximately 44% of Americans 18 and over have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with one of the three approved vaccines, with an additional 20% say they plan on getting it soon. So what about the other 30-40%? For the past few weeks, vaccine rates have been slowing down.…
Read MoreWhat to expect for Head Start after COVID-19
September seems so far from now, doesn’t it? Where will things stand at that time? Will school be back in session? Even as states begin cautiously reopening some businesses, schools remain closed. However, most expect that school will be back in session in the fall. But what will that look like? As we try to…
Read MoreHead Start and COVID-19: What you need to know
The current issue of COVID-19 has raised a lot of questions, including the discussion of how it is affecting our schools. More than just classrooms and hallways, for some families school is a haven for their children. Now with the closure of many schools and programs across the country, its left families with the challenge…
Read MoreBringing Focus to Children’s Mental Health in Head Start
Canton, Ohio-based attorney Corey Minor Smith is a long-time client, associate, and friend of The Gravely Group. She is a former Head Start parent and Board Member, speaker, and mental health advocate. She has recently written her debut book, titled #Driven, a resource for family and friends that care for a loved one living with…
Read MoreVaccination Requirements for Head Start/Early Head Start
Head Start at the national level does not have any explicit rules regarding the vaccination status of children who attend local programs (a bill proposed in 2015 would’ve required all Head Start children to be vaccinated, but never made it to a vote). As it stands now, it is only mentioned once in the Head…
Read MoreTips for Teaching Nutrition in Head Start
In Head Start Performance Standard 1302.46:(ii): Discuss their child’s nutritional status with staff, including the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, and the negative health consequences of sugar-sweetened beverages, and how to select and prepare nutritious foods that meet the family’s nutrition and food budget needs. How can we help Head Start encourage healthy eating?…
Read MoreSupporting Breastfeeding in Head Start
In the Head Start Performance Standards: 1302.44 (a) (viii): Promote breastfeeding, including providing facilities to properly store and handle breast milk and make accommodations, as necessary, for mothers who wish to breastfeed during program hours, and if necessary, provide referrals to lactation consultants or counselors. How can you help support breastfeeding in your Head Start…
Read MoreHealth Care for Every Child in Head Start
Two places in the Head Start Performance Standards that talk about guiding families with health insurance and Healthcare: 1302.42 Child health status and care. (a) Source of health care. (1) A program, within 30 calendar days after the child first attends the program or, for the home-based program option, receives a home visit, must consult…
Read MoreHandling Medical Emergencies in Head Start
“His face is blowing up!” “Call 911! There’s tons of blood!” “She’s fainting!” These situations are every early childhood director’s nightmare. Head Start staff, however, is prepared for this possibility. Medical emergencies can happen because of injuries, chronic health conditions, or unexpected major illness. No matter how bad the injury, keeping a clear head can…
Read MoreThe Importance of Health Program Services in Head Start
A child with health problems, whether oral, mental or nutrition concerns, will have difficulty learning. That’s why it’s up to us, Head Start staff, to provide the high-quality health services, that will help each child grow. According to section 1302.40 (a) of Head Start Performance Standards: “A program must provide high-quality health, oral health, mental…
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