Health Services

The Health Service Component area of our program strives to ensure that all Head Start children are as healthy as possible. Children will be given a hearing and vision screening, and heights and weights are charted by our Nutrition Consultant.  Staff will help families who do not have a dentist find a dental care provider.

Federal Performance Standards require us to have the following for each enrolled child within 30 days of entering the program:

  • Immunization record showing all immunizations are up-to-date.  Our Health Coordinator and Family Advocates can help assist you with the immunization process. For a full schedule of childhood immunizations, please see the current immunization schedule.

And within 90 days of enrollment:

  • A full physical and dental exam. Assisstance or transportation can be provided to those families needing extra help in meeting this requirement.
Sickness and Attendance
In order to protect the health of our children, students showing any symptoms of contagious illness should stay home from school.  If your child becomes ill during school hours, you (or someone on your emergency contact list, if you cannot be reached) will be called to pick up your child.
 
Head Lice

Waldo County Head Start has a "no live lice" policy.  Head checks are performed on children regularly.  Children who are found to have live lice will be sent home.  Parents who need assistance with treating their child may contact the Health Coordinator or Family Advocate.  Once the child has been treated, they may return to school.  The child will be checked upon return, and will be allowed to stay if they are live lice free.  Parents will be informed if there have been lice in the center, and head checks will be performed on all children and adults for the following ten (10) days.  Special care will be taken to make sure that confidentiality is maintained, and neither the child nor the family are embarassed in any way.

 

Nutrition

Head Starts nutrition staff works with children and parents in the classroom and in the home to help develop good eating habits and assist with special dietary needs. Children are weighed and measured twice a year to aid in identifying those children who may be at risk for health issues. An anemia screeening and dietary intake are also considered. Children in part day programs receive breakfast and lunch and those in full day setting receive an additional snack. Meals are served family style and staff role model child size portions.

Advice for Parents

Parents are the teachers of food habits. As children grow, they are watching for clues on food choices. Children will copy many habits, likes, and dislikes. When making food choices, actions speak louder than words. If you want your child to develop a preference for nutritious foods, consider the following:

  • Develop good eating habits yourself.
  • Avoid talk about foods you do not like, talk about foods you enjoy.
  • Never assume that a child won't like a food, give them the chance to try it.
  • Be willing to try new recipes and foods.
  • If a child does not eat at mealtime, remain calm. When the next meal is served give the child his/her food as you usually would. Any snacking between meals should be healthy.
  • Do no make an issue of refusal to eat. Some children choose this behavior because they get lots of attention.
  • Encourage a child to help in planning and preparing meals and snacks.
  • Buy healthful food. Parents are the best judges of what a child should eat. Children are the best judges of how much they should eat.
  • Make mealtime pleasant.

Please feel free to contact our Food Program Coordinator, Suzanne Boguslawski at 338-3827 ext. 202 or e-mail her now with any questions, comments, or menu suggestions.

 

Links

Information on children's health
Information on Maine Care

Please feel free to contact our Health Services Coordinator, Dawn Bryant at 338-3827 ext. 211 or e-mail her now with any questions or concerns.