Health
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Immunizations Record of immunizations or an immunization waiver must be on file before a child can attend in-person programming. The chart on the right outlines what immunizations are required and how many doses are required for each age group. Children can begin attending if they have 1 of each of these immunizations, but must be up-to-date or have a waiver or Doctors note in their file within 4 months of their first day of attendance as required by licensing R 400.8143 (3) and (4). Entering in Child Plus: Refer to the image on the right to locate the field for each item below:
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Immunization Waivers
Families who do not immunize their children due to any reason must make an appointment with their local health department to complete an immunization waiver. Waivers must be completed and on file before a child can attend the classroom. Waivers expire after two years in most areas and after one year in Grand Traverse County. If a child transfers to a different center than the one designated on the waiver then a new waiver must be completed before the first day of attendance at the new center.
Physical Screens and Well Baby Checks
Collecting Physical Screens and Well Baby Checks
After a child has been seen by a doctor for one of their required exams, send a copy of the 0-5 NMCAA Physical form along with the signed Health Release to the doctor office for completion and signature. If a doctor office does not return the 0-5 NMCAA physical form but sends a print out from their data system instead, you may need to send a NMCAA Program Physical Health Statement form for the doctor to sign. Licensing requires a doctor to sign a statement verifying that the child is physically and emotionally able to participate in a Head Start/Early Head Start classroom. Visits to the doctor for sickness or injury do not count as well child checks or physical screens.
0-5 NMCAA Physical NMCAA Program Physical Health Statement
Time Limits
In accordance with licensing rule 400.8143 (6), the initial health record must be on file at the center within 30 days of a child's initial attendance and have been performed within 1 of the following time limits:
(a) For an infant, within the preceding 3 months.
(b) For toddlers, within the preceding 6 months.
(c) For preschoolers, within the preceding 12 months.
After a child has been seen by a doctor for one of their required exams, send a copy of the 0-5 NMCAA Physical form along with the signed Health Release to the doctor office for completion and signature. If a doctor office does not return the 0-5 NMCAA physical form but sends a print out from their data system instead, you may need to send a NMCAA Program Physical Health Statement form for the doctor to sign. Licensing requires a doctor to sign a statement verifying that the child is physically and emotionally able to participate in a Head Start/Early Head Start classroom. Visits to the doctor for sickness or injury do not count as well child checks or physical screens.
0-5 NMCAA Physical NMCAA Program Physical Health Statement
Time Limits
In accordance with licensing rule 400.8143 (6), the initial health record must be on file at the center within 30 days of a child's initial attendance and have been performed within 1 of the following time limits:
(a) For an infant, within the preceding 3 months.
(b) For toddlers, within the preceding 6 months.
(c) For preschoolers, within the preceding 12 months.
Ongoing Schedules for Physical Screens and Well Baby Checks
Early Head Start
Well Baby Checks are due for the following months (The events in parentheses will automatically be added to the Well Baby Check events in Child Plus(CP). The bulleted items will have to be selected as separate events to enter into CP):
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Head Start
BMI Screening and Follow Up for Head Start children and EHS children who are2 and up.
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Hearing and Vision Screening
All children will be screened for hearing and vision within 45 days of enrollment. (EHS children who are under 6 months will have their vision screened as part of the ASQ since the vision screening equipment is not meant for children under 6 months.)
Use the Health Follow Up form to record any hearing, vision, blood pressure, or hemoglobin/hematocrit screenings that you complete. Share a copy of the Health Follow Up form with the child's family and record the events in CP.
Health Follow Up Medical Follow Up
Use the Health Follow Up form to record any hearing, vision, blood pressure, or hemoglobin/hematocrit screenings that you complete. Share a copy of the Health Follow Up form with the child's family and record the events in CP.
Health Follow Up Medical Follow Up
Re-screens
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Referrals
If a child fails their vision screening or fails their hearing screening twice, refer the family to follow up with their health care provider or optometrist.
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Instructional webinars, videos, and resources to share with families about hearing screenings can be found at the link below:
Dental Exam
All HS/EHS children over the age of one will complete a yearly Dental Exam.
HS- due within 90 days of enrollment. EHS- due at 12 and 24 months
When entering the event in CP, select Dental Exam (not dental screen).
HS- due within 90 days of enrollment. EHS- due at 12 and 24 months
When entering the event in CP, select Dental Exam (not dental screen).
- If "Dental Exam Complete" is checked on the Dental Health Screening Record, then select the status of "Passed First Screening." Attach a copy of the form in CP.
- If "Further Treatment Necessary" is checked, then send the Dental Health Screening Record to DMT for entry into CP. Attach a copy of the form in CP. Follow up with the family to encourage a treatment appointment if one has not been scheduled. Record any communication with the family as an "Action" under the dental exam event.
Blood Pressure, Lead, and Anemia (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit)
Blood Pressure
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Lead Screening
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Anemia (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit)
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Early Head Start Timelines
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Head Start Timelines
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Health and Dental Status Determination Dates
Early Head Start
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Head Start
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Federally Qualified Health Center
Some children receive health services at a "Federally Qualified Health Center." This information is something that is reported to the Office of Head Start in the Program Information Report (PIR). To help track this information, follow these steps:
- Figure out which children receive health services through a one of these centers. An easy way to see medical homes for all children on your caseload is to use report 3021 in Child Plus.
- Use the Health Center Program website on this page: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html to find the Qualified Health Centers in your service area. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a search box.
- If any children use a Federally Qualified Health Center, change from No to Yes At Enrollment and At End of Enrollment for the question “Receive medical services through a federally qualified Health Center, Indian Health Service, Tribal and/or Urban Indian Health Program Facility. See image below.
Child Plus Entry
Add Multiple Events
This option is helpful if you receive several health events that all happened on the same day such as from a physical screen.
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EHS Authorization Memo |