HEAD START®

Caring for Children with
Chronic Conditions

Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community

Table of Contents | Preface | Introduction | Module 1 | Module 2 | Module 3
| Continuing Professional Development | Resources

MODULE 3: Activity 3 - What Would You Do?

Module 3 | Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Next Steps

Purpose:
This activity gives staff the chance to practice using the Individualized Health Plan to know how to care for a child with a chronic condition. It is particularly helpful for classroom and transportation staff.

For this activity you will need:

• Handout T: Confidentiality (from Module 2: Essential Principles for Care)
  
  
• Handout Y: What Would You Do?
  
  
• James' Individualized Health Plan developed in Module 3, Activity 2: Developing the Individualized Health Plan or Key to Activity 2
  

Step 1:

Explain that this activity uses the Individualized Health Plan to know how to care for James, a child with asthma.

Step 2:

Make sure that all participants have James' Individualized Health Plan (either developed in Module 3, Activity 2: Developing the Individualized Health Plan, or the Key to Activity 2: James' Individualized Health Plan). Briefly review the major sections of James' plan–his diagnosis, routine care needs (including regular medications and program accommodations), and emergency plan. Imagine that it's October, 1998.

Step 3:

Briefly review the Background Information section on "Ensuring That Services Are Safe and Legal" in Module 2: Essential Principles of Care. Distribute Handout T: Confidentiality, and briefly review the main points.

Ask the participant(s):

• Who needs to be informed about James' health plan?
  
  
• Who needs training in how to administer James' medications?
  
  
• Where must medication supplies and equipment be kept?
  
  
• What consent is needed to share information about James' health?
  

Step 4:

Distribute Handout Y: What Would You Do? For each scenario, ask:

• What you would do based on the instructions in the Individualized Health Plan and your own experience and judgment?

Step 5:

Ask the participant(s):

• do you feel comfortable that you could prevent and manage James' asthma episodes?
  
  
• Is there any additional information, training, policies, health consultation, or supplies that you might need? Who could help?
  
  
• How often might you need to review and revise the plans?
  
  
• What are some issues for transitioning James to kindergarten?
  

Points to Consider:

• Each child with asthma has specific triggers to avoid, signs and symptoms of asthma attacks, and recommended responses to an attack. The Individualized Health Plan can help staff know what to do to care for the child's health needs.
  
  
• General strategies to care for children with asthma include:
  
  – trying to avoid asthma triggers
  
  – observing children carefully for signs of illness
  
  – training staff on the care plan and administration of medications
  
  – having the care plan, medications and supplies, and emergency contact information available
  
  – providing emotional support to the child and family for their special health needs
• The Individualized Health Plan should be an active, ongoing process and document. The parents and health care providers should be involved with regular communication and updates. It should not be simply filed away. The plan should be followed for routine and emergency care.
  
  
• Individualized Health Plans should be reviewed periodically and revised as needed. In particular, after a medical emergency, Head Start staff should assess how well the care plan worked and make any changes that are needed.
  
  
• The Individualized Health Plan should be used to help plan for an effective transition of the child to another program or kindergarten.