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 2: Next Steps - Ideas to Extend Practice

Module 2 | Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Activity 4 | Activity 5 | Activity 6 | Activity 7 | Next Steps

1. Observe and Analyze How Behavior is Portrayed in The Media
   
   What messages does your culture give you (and the children) about being assertive? The next time you watch television, notice how people like you (same gender and sociocultural and/or ethnic background) are portrayed. Do they tend to be portrayed as assertive, aggressive, or passive? Which behavior is more effective on TV? Help children be more media literate by teaching them to observe and analyze these types of portrayals on the shows that they watch. If your classroom has access to a VCR, tape a popular children's TV show and watch it with the class. Help the children identify stereotypes and messages (both positive and negative) about the consequences of assertive, aggressive, and passive behavior.
   
   
2. Develop Individualized Health Plans for Children with Special Health Care Needs
   
   Review screening results from your program and check to see that all children with special health care needs have an Individualized Health Plan.
   
   Use the criteria for family-centered services to assess any part of your program identified as needing improvement.
   
   
3. Review Your Program Health Policies
   
   How is health information stored at your program? Review your procedures and make sure that only people who "need to know" and are authorized have access to a child's health information records.
   
   Also, remember that adults in Head Start–staff, parents, and volunteers–may also have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions. Make sure that your Head Start program has adequate health policies regarding adults (e.g., confidentiality of sensitive information, safe storage of medications, and emergency health care plans).
   
   
4. Check Stored Medication at Your Program
   
   Return any children's medication that is no longer required or that is past the expiration date to parents. Tell them that the medication should be disposed of properly. Make sure that all staff know that personal medications should be stored out of reach of children (e.g., not in handbags or briefcases) when on-site.