Parent Handbook > Health & Early Childhood Development

 

Head Start provides every child with a comprehensive health care program to ensure that medical, dental, nutritional, developmental, and mental health needs are met. Head Start emphasizes the importance of obtaining and maintaining optimum health which includes assisting in the establishment and collaboration with a medical and dental home, promotion of regular health check-ups, and the early identification, intervention and follow-up of health concerns. Health education is incorporated into the classroom, parent committee and at staff training.

 

Audiology

Our program follows the current best practice by administering pure tone audiometric and middle ear or tympanometric screening. The screening we do helps us to identify children who have fluctuating hearing loss due to otitis media as well as children who have permanent hearing loss.

 

Dental Hygiene

A current (within the last 12 months) dental exam/screening is required for all children enrolled in the Head Start program. If treatment is indicated, follow up with the dental home is essential for good oral health. Parents are encouraged to continue to take their child for "well baby dental visits" every six months.

Head Start staff assists families when locating a dentist and advocates for their needs when necessary. Toothbrushes are provided for all children and tooth brushing is incorporated into daily activities. The dental hygienist provides dental education training to teachers, staff and children in individual classrooms. Parents are invited to dental workshops and health fairs throughout the year.

 

Nutrition

Oahu Head Start's child nutrition services help families in meeting each child's nutritional needs and in establishing good eating habits that nurture healthy development and promote life-long well-being. Growth screenings are conducted twice a year to assess each child's nutritional status and growth pattern. If necessary a nutritionist will follow-up with child's parent or guardian to address the child and family's nutritional needs. Referrals are made to WIC and other community agencies, when necessary.

All children in Head Start are served breakfast and lunch, and a snack in the extended day programs. We provide one-third to one-half of the child's daily nutritional need. All meals are USDA approved. Meals must be consumed during mealtime only. Food items high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt are offered to the children. Also, outside foods are not allowed. This includes goodie bags filled with food items during the holidays and birthdays.

The following are some alternative ways to celebrate special occasions.

 

Mental Health Services

Oahu Head Start recognizes the importance of promoting a child and family's complete health. Our staff includes Family Services Coordinators (FSC's) who are available for consultation, referral, and intervention services. The FSCs work with families and children on an individual or in a group setting. They also provide resource materials or parenting informational workshops. Currently, we are implementing a violence prevention/ social skill curriculum in some of our classrooms.

 

Health Requirements

Hawaii State Attendance Law requires that all children enrolled in Head Start have a physical examination from a licensed physician. At the time of enrollment, a physical examination is required that is dated closest to the current age of the child in accordance with the well child schedule. Children entering Head start must have a current TB Clearance dated within 12 months of entry. For preschool, physical examinations performed within one year prior to the date of school entry are acceptable for enrollment purposes. A "HSFIS Physical Exam-Child" and "HSFIS Child Immunization Record" must be filled out prior to enrollment.

 

Health/Emergency Information

Encouraging practices that prevent illness or injury enhance long-life and well-being. Despite efforts to prevent illness or injury, emergencies happen and we establish policies and procedures to respond to medical and dental health emergencies. Upon enrollment, parents must complete and sign a "Consent for Emergency Medical/Dental Treatment of Head Start Enrollee" form. This form is kept in the classroom and is accessible for the teacher in case of any emergency.

 

Accident Reports

Despite all efforts to promote safety and injury prevention, should a child be involved in an accident or receive an injury, it is important to communicate this to parents both verbally and in writing. The information provided is essential should there be a need for follow-up with the medical home or to continue monitoring of the injury and its progress at home.

 

Non-Admission of Ill Children

If your child is sick, please keep your child at home. We are concerned with the health and well being of your child and the other children in the classroom.

In accordance with Hawaii State Law and Disease Fact Sheets and Guidelines, children with the following communicable disease/illness will be excluded from school.

1. Diarrhea
2. Scabies
3. Impetigo
4. Lice (uku)
5. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
6. Influenza
7. Chicken Pox
8. Measles
9. Whooping Cough
10. Mumps
11. Rubella (German measles)
12. Scarlet fever, Strep sore throat and other Streptococcal infection (Beta Hemolytic Group A)
13. Active Tuberculosis
14. Any illness, if in the opinion of the pediatrician or health care provider and the childcare staff can endanger the child's health and/or the health of other children in the facility.
15. Any illness if in the opinion of the childcare center director or manager, the center is not equipped to provide childcare for sick children.

Medication Administration

Whenever possible, arrangements should be made with the family and the child's physician to schedule administration of medication during times when the child is most likely to be under parental supervision.

When medication must be administered in the classroom, we must ensure that parents, in collaboration with the medical home, provided clear, thorough instructions on how best care for their child. All eligible children are afforded equal opportunity to be included in Head Start regardless of medication requirements, provided the program can reasonably accommodate them. A "Consent for Administration of Medication" form must be completed prior to administration of any medication in the center.

return to parent handbook