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Health Service Matrix
Healthcare Services (Medical, Oral, and Behavioral)
Our commitment to health begins upon enrollment. Children must have a recent medical and dental examination form not older than six months before entering the program, and all immunizations must be current. GHC staff often help coordinate these screenings if needed. T. B. screening or skin test, lead screening, and blood work (including a hemoglobin test) must be included physical exam form; these screenings and tests are required annually, and results of all tests need to be included on the physical exam form to ensure children receive preventative care and case documentation. Physical and dental exam forms are required annually for children. We work with the families to identify and address concerns early, promoting each childs development throughout their enrollment.
Child Dental Examination
dental-exam-form-2021.pdfPhysical Examination
certificate-ofchild-health-examination-03032017.pdfEnsuring Children's Health Needs Are Met
Gads Hill Center also conducts developmental and social-emotional screenings and provides referrals so children get appropriate, targeted services. Family Support Specialists meet with parents at enrollment to determine if a child has an ongoing source of continuous, accessible health care. If none is available, the child is referred to an approved provider with whom GHC has a partnership agreement.
Medical and dental providers will conduct medical and oral examinations of all children who are either state-insured eligible or ineligible for these services. The program will supplement the costs when no other third-party reimbursement is available for the family. Medical and dental services are provided in the clinic and dental office unless prior written approval has been obtained to provide these services in other settings, such as dental vans and mobile dental clinics. GHC is also dedicated to connecting families with services that meet their unique and linguistic needs when relating them to services.
Our registered nurse consultant provides ongoing classroom observations for our infants and toddlers and includes staff and parent education opportunities, including individualized consultations, for families that need additional support. Moreover, our Bilingual Health Aide assists our nurse with translation for individuals that need information in Spanish, ensuring language is not a barrier to participation and engagement.
Health and Record-Keeping
GHC ensures that children have a complete, up-to-date physical examination signed and dated by a physician or an advanced practice nurse (APN) before attendance. For children ages birth to five years old, the exam must be performed according to the Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), American Academy of Pediatrics, and the State of Illinois Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers. All EPSDT screenings and risk assessments, required immunizations, developmentally appropriate height and weight assessments, and vision and hearing screenings (Early Head Start option) are documented before attendance in the program, typically as part of required physicals or well-baby checks, and subsequently on an annual basis from the date of the initial screening. Within 45 days of enrollment, children one year of age or older must have documentation of a dental examination by a dentist. The program supports health and well-being throughout daily operations, ensuring best practices are implemented around oral health, the provision of nutritious, family-style meals in consultation with a nutritionist, and incorporating a culture of health in child activities and learning opportunities. Throughout children's participation in the program, up-to-date documentation of annual, age-appropriate preventive, and primary medical and oral health care and immunizations is maintained. The program follows the progress of necessary follow-up care that is carefully maintained and updated in electronic records (CARES/EARLY BIRD). To support families with ongoing maintenance, the program develops reminder schedules for regular or follow-up appointments and easy-to-use reference materials highlighting resources and referrals for parents. Each child with special needs or needs follow-up care has a detailed care plan developed in partnership with the parent that is followed during program hours. Medical consultation via our community partners is available to staff to support care plans best.
Nutrition Services
GHC has contracted nurses, nutritionists/registered dieticians, and our community partners to ensure children and families have access to quality, holistic health services and assist staff in helping children and families obtain optimal healthcare.
The Nutritionist will leverage their expertise to provide ongoing guidance, including parent and staff consultations to assist with dietary issues or concerns, parent education opportunities, staff training, and evaluation for our nutrition program to comply with Head Start performance standards. Our contracted nutritionist also partners with a bilingual registered dietician to ensure our Spanish-speaking families can utilize individualized nutrition services and are connected to food security programs like WIC.
Nutrition Screener
HEAD STARTCHILD CARE NUTRITION CHECKLIST- Gads Hill.docxSocial Services for Pregnant Moms, Children, and Families
Gads Hill Center promotes healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women and facilitates access to ongoing care for enrolled expectant moms, especially those who do not have accessible childcare during this critical time of development. Support is provided through quality early education in and out of the home, parenting education, comprehensive health and mental health services, nutrition education, and extensive family support services. Gads Hill Center helps pregnant women access comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, through referrals to community healthcare partners, immediately after enrollment in the program. This care includes early and ongoing risk assessments, such as nutritional status assessments, nutrition counseling, and food assistance, if necessary.
Prenatal Screener
Prenatal Nutritional Assessment.pdfPrenatal Assessment
Prenatalpost Nurse Assessment.docxChecklist Pregnant Women
Prenatal health.docxEPDS Screener
edinburghscale.pdfHeight and Weight
If a growth assessment is not available in the child's Physical Examination / Assessment Form, within 45 days of enrollment, staff conduct a height and weight measurement of the child and record the data in the data system. Staff performs several growth assessments yearly for follow-up on the child's progress.
Measurement of Height and Weight – Preschool Age:
Designated use of appropriate equipment and materials to perform measurements of child height and weight.
Height: The program scales with the attached measuring device are used during these height and weight times.
With the child's body aligned against the scales, with shoes removed, with head and heels touching the back of the scales, and with the child's chin up.
FSS enters the information into the Electronic record-keeping system to plot the growth chart.
Weight: Appropriate equipment and materials for measuring weight include portable scales balanced at zero for center-based programs and Home Visiting and protective barriers (such as paper towels) to prevent children's bare feet from touching the scale. To complete a weight measurement, the staff:
Ensure that heavy clothing on the child has been removed.
Place the protective barrier (paper towel) on the scale, so no bare feet touch the scale.
Have the child stand in the center of the scale?
Read and record the weight measurement.
Have the child step off of the scale. 6. Return the scale to zero.
Enter the information into the Electronic record-keeping system.
Staff collaborates with parents as partners in the health and well-being of their children in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner and communicates with parents about their child's health needs and development concerns promptly and effectively. At a minimum, the program: a. Obtains advance authorization from the parent or guardian for all health and developmental procedures administered through the program or by contract or agreement, and maintains written documentation if they refuse to give authorization for health services. The FSS or Site Manager shares with parents the policies for health emergencies requiring a rapid staff response or immediate medical attention.
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