HEAD START®

Well-Child Health Care: Making It Happen

Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community

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

Continuing Professional Development

This guide helps Head Start staff recognize the value of comprehensive well-child health care and screening in promoting health. Head Start staff members should continue to learn about health care and screenings by:

• Reassessing their personal knowledge and skills in screening
  
  Give staff members the opportunity to identify at least one aspect of screening they would like to explore further. For example, a teacher may want to learn more about sickle cell anemia or gain skills in explaining the results of developmental screening to parents. Develop a personal action plan for improvement.
  
  
• Investigating other Head Start programs that are effective in areas you would like to improve
  
  Use meetings (e.g., local and regional health coordinators, Head Start Association, health conference) as opportunities for discussing strategies for promoting well-care, successfully completing screening, tracking services, building a strong, participatory HSAC or collaboration building.
  
  
• Subscribing to public health journals to stay updated on current recommendations
  
  Keep a library of books and videos on health screening topics. Make sure that the Well-Child Health Care Fact Sheets are reviewed and revised every year by the Health Services Advisory Committee members and/or health consultant.
  
  
• Encouraging staff to participate in classes and conferences on child health
  
  Courses may be available through the local community college, child care resource and referral agency, hospitals, and other community-based agencies such as the American Red Cross. Allow staff to attend local, regional, and national conferences on health sponsored by Head Start, child care associations, public health associations, and health maintenance organizations.
  
  
• Reassessing their personal knowledge and skills in screening
  
  Give staff members the opportunity to identify at least one aspect of screening they would like to explore further. For example, a teacher may want to learn more about sickle cell anemia or gain skills in explaining the results of developmental screening to parents. Develop a personal action plan for improvement.
  
  
• Investigating other Head Start programs that are effective in areas you would like to improve
  
  Use meetings (e.g., local and regional health coordinators, Head Start Association, health conference) as opportunities for discussing strategies for promoting well-care, successfully completing screening, tracking services, building a strong, participatory HSAC or collaboration building.
  
  
• Subscribing to public health journals to stay updated on current recommendations
  
  Keep a library of books and videos on health screening topics. Make sure that the Well-Child Health Care Fact Sheets are reviewed and revised every year by the Health Services Advisory Committee members and/or health consultant.
  
  
• Encouraging staff to participate in classes and conferences on child health
  
  Courses may be available through the local community college, child care resource and referral agency, hospitals, and other community-based agencies such as the American Red Cross. Allow staff to attend local, regional, and national conferences on health sponsored by Head Start, child care associations, public health associations, and health maintenance organizations.
  
  
• Maintaining connections with local health professionals
  
  Invite community health providers to staff and parent meetings to answer questions about health care, screening, and local health issues of concern.
  
  
• Advocating for improved health care and building collaborative relationships with existing service providers to increase access
  
  What are the common health issues in your community? Lead poisoning, obesity, violent behavior, contaminated water, or lack of access to health care providers serving low-income families? Seek out those people capable of making change and actively advocate to improve the health of your community. This guide provides many models of this strategy. Form collaborative partnerships with existing service agencies to truly streamline the delivery of services.