Head Start Health Services Competencies
These tools, for new and experienced staff, address science-informed practices for early childhood health staff. Each is indicative of an attitude, knowledge, or skill. Use this for professional development.
Health Services Management
As part of Head Start’s comprehensive services, every Head Start program provides services to promote health, behavioral health, and safety for children and families. New and experienced health services staff can use these resources to learn more about health services and the role of health services staff. This topic area also includes professional development resources for health services staff, child care health consultants, and others who support health services across all early care and education settings.
Health Services Advisory Committee
Health Services Advisory Committees (HSACs) help programs to make decisions about health services. Learn how to plan, execute, and evaluate your HSAC.
Managing Common Illnesses to Support Healthy Learning Environments
Watch this video to learn how CCHCs can help prevent infectious diseases through policies and training, making sure staff have the information they need to maintain healthy learning environment.
Sesame Workshop Videos for Head Start Staff and Families
Use these videos to acknowledge the hard work of Head Start program staff, and to help families learn more about the comprehensive Head Start health and early learning services.
Helping Child Care Programs with Health Policies and Procedures
This webinar explores strategies and resources CCHCs and program leadership can use to review and develop health policies and procedures.
Creating Healthy and Safe Environments
This webinar explores how child care health consultants can collaborate with Head Start directors and teachers to create healthy and safe learning environments.
Supporting Community Health Partnerships
Learn how to identify and partner with the local providers and agencies who can assist in strengthening Head Start health services. Such partnerships can help programs meet the different needs of families.
How to Find and Use Health Data
Learn about the importance of using community, program, and child health data to make improvements and develop approaches that ensure every family receives the health care they need.
Caring for Our Children: Standards and Resources
Learn more about the national standards and the subset of standards called CFOC Basics, which represent the minimum health and safety standards required in Head Start programs.
Medication Administration
This video summarizes the importance of having proper policies and protocols on medication administration and answers common questions on labeling, storage, and procedures for emergency medications.