Beaver County Head Start - Health Content Area

HEALTH SERVICES

Director of Health Services: Inika Jones

Health Advisory Committee

Health Content Area Mission

General health includes care for any system involving normal bodily functions such as hearing, seeing, eating (chewing and digestion), speech, and language. We believe that any of these areas left uncared for can contribute to learning disabilities. This is true for children as well as adults. When we cannot hear or see, we cannot learn in the routine manner. When we are not digesting our food due to dental problems or inadequate meals, our brain is not properly nourished. When we cannot communicate our problems, our needs go unmet. Speech is communication through conventional vocal or oral symbols. It is one form of language. Language is a means of expressing or communicating thought of feelings. This includes gesturing, reading writing, speaking and thinking. It is very important that all deficiencies are diagnosed as early as possible and treated. Most problems, if caught in time, can be remedied.

Health is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being. The health program is therefore designed to stimulate health awareness of children and adults; to bring together the health community and families; to integrate into the classroom; to prevent unnecessary illness.

Contagious Diseases

Whenever a child is ill with a rash, high temperature, bad cold, or cough, vomiting, diarrhea or contagious disease, we ask that parents keep them at home. This protects the child, other children, and classroom staff. If a child becomes ill at school, the teacher, the region manager, or health staff will contact the parent or guardian.

Brief description of common childhood diseases:

Chicken Pox - Reddish pimples, usually more on covered parts of the body, itchy, and a slight fever.

German Measles - Mild illness, slight rash resembling measles, swelling

of the lymph gland behind ear and on neck.

Measles - Fever, symptoms of cold in eyes, nose and throat, early eruption in mouth followed by rash.

Mumps - Swelling and tenderness at angle of jaw.

Whooping Cough - Typical "whoop" after cough, develops from ordinary cough.

Impetigo - Scattered blister or pus filled lesions which become encrusted.

Commonly found on face, arms, and/or scattered over the body.

Ringworm - Infection of scalp, arms, and/or body. Crusts and raw areas of scalp.

Lice - Itchy scalp, small white eggs (nits) at hair shaft base, which stick to hair, eggs hatched into small insects.

Pink Eye - (Conjunctivitis) - Reddish eye, eye-lid crusted over and "glued" shut upon awakening, formation of pus, discharge from infected eye.

Dental

In Head Start, all children brush their teeth after meals. Center staff discuss proper dental care and demonstrate correct brushing techniques. Although children at this age are unable to brush with 100% efficiency, early brushing education starts them on the right track. The Health Content Area provides each classroom with toothpaste and toothbrushes. Dental education is provided in the classroom in many ways. Professional consultant provide dental education to our children in a group setting. The nutrition component provides nutritional information and encourages eating nutritious snack foods, such as fruits and crackers, rather than sweets to ensure a good diet and healthy teeth. We cannot overemphasize the importance of good dental health. A shocking statistic is that dental cavities are so prevalent in our country that by the time children reach 17 years of age, 9 out of 10 have experienced tooth decay. By working together as a team we can change this statistic. As early as three parents should start taking their children to the dentist at least twice a year. We encourage them not to wait until a serious problem arises before making that first dental visit. If the first visit is hurtful or serious they will be afraid to go back, therefore, parents must do all they can to make the experience a pleasant one.

Important Dental Facts

When a child is five to six years old, the back tooth on each side (upper and lower) is a permanent tooth. This is the first permanent tooth the child gets. These four teeth are often mistaken for baby teeth. Baby teeth are very important. They help the permanent teeth come in properly. They also hold the space for the permanent teeth.
Toothpaste is not as important as brushing. Brush with water if no toothpaste is available. It is important to remove the film which is called dental plaque, that accumulates on the teeth every day.

Height and Weight Screenings

Head Start records the height and weight of each child in the centers at least two times a year to determine normal growth rates. If the child does not meet the guide level or exceeds the level, this does not necessarily mean that they have a problem. Height and weight depends on a lot of variables such as parent size, activity, etc. We will use this information as a guide to adequate growth and development.

Screenings

During the year, the Health Content Area provides all enrolled children with a variety of screening, including speech and language, vision, and hearing. It is necessary to obtain written permission for your child to receive these screenings. The statement or required screenings, which is signed at the home visit, assures permission for the child to receive these screenings. The Statement of Required Screenings, which is signed at the home visit, assures permission for these screenings. A pass/fail notice will be sent home with your child after the screening is complete. We encourage families to participate in the screenings. Often valuable information is provided which may be helpful. Another plus is that sharing these times with children can make it a good learning experience.

Health Content Area Enrollment Requirements

Physical: Must be completed and signed by the child's physician within 90 days of child's enrollment. Physicals are required yearly for all children.

Lab results must include: Hematocrit or Hemogloblin, Sickle Cell (If applicable) and TB results (If applicable), Lead Testing (If applicable)

Dental: Must be completed and signed by your child's dentist within 90 days of child's enrollment. Dental examinations are required yearly for all Head Start Children.

Health History: Form must be completed by parent or guardian at intake visit.

Copy of Medical Assistance or other medical insurance card

Immunizations: A current shot record must be received before the child can be enrolled.

All children at Head Start are required to have age appropriate immunizations prior to enrollment.

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