Health

Health Services

Children’s health is a critical factor in being school ready. Head Start ensures that all enrolled children have timely immunizations and screenings for cognitive development, basic health, speech and language, hearing, vision, and dental health.

Physical Examinations

In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Community Care Licensing each child enrolled in Head Start is required to receive a Physical Examination. Family Services Workers at each Early Learning Center and Home Educators are available to provide information and resources to assist families and connect them with medical services offered within the community.

Lead Awareness

In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards each child enrolled in Head Start is required to receive a blood lead test. This screening is necessary in order to provide prompt assistance to families to best meet the health and developmental needs of the child. Lead is toxic to everyone, but young children are at higher risk. Parents and staff can use this video to learn on how to test for lead. You can purchase Instant Lead Testing Kits at Amazon, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or ACE Hardware. For more information or about the effects of unsafe levels of lead in blood and about how to avoid lead exposure, please click here.

Dental Examinations

In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards each child enrolled in Head Start is required to receive a dental examination. Family Services Workers at each Early Learning Center and Home Educators are available to provide information and resources to assist families and connect them with dental services offered within the community.

We ensure that all enrolled children have timely immunizations and screenings for cognitive development, basic health, speech and language, hearing, vision, and dental health.

Dental Education

Every center is required to schedule a Health/Nutrition Specialist (HNS) to attend one parent meeting a year to discuss oral health and preventative dental care. The Health/Nutrition Specialist is responsible for accessing dental services and can provide information regarding providers in the Sacramento community, offer assistance in advocating for families having difficulty in obtaining a dental home or treatment from a provider, and early detection and treatment of dental caries and preventative care.

Dental Services

Flowchart – How to Schedule Medi-Cal Dentist Appt.

Immunizations

The Head Start Program ensures that all enrolled children meet the minimum standards for immunizations in accordance with the California School Immunization Law. Information and resources on immunization clinics are available at each Head Start Early Learning Center.

Health Care Plans

Head Start is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our children in and outside of the center. At enrollment, parents are asked a series of questions to indicate whether their child has a pre-existing medical condition (such as asthma or seizures) that may require a health care plan or medication while at school. Center staff is provided with quality training (approved by licensed medical personnel) in administering medications to children.

Medical and Dental Insurance

Head Start recognizes the importance of each child having a medical and dental home. Head Start collaborates with Covered California to assist families with resource information on affordable health care in the Sacramento County area. For more information on affordable health insurance in Sacramento County contact Covered California at (800) 300-1506 | TTY: (888) 889-4500.

Special Projects

Head Start creates programs for the wellbeing of the children by integrating fun and serious projects into the children’s classroom schedule.

Health Education

Health Education Events Family Calendar
August 29th, 2023 – Food Allergies & Special Diets (Zoom)
September 19th, 2023 – General Health Communicable Diseases (Zoom)
October 31st, 2023 – Respiratory Conditions: Flu & Cold; Lead Poisoning Prevention (Zoom)
- General:
  - https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/the-constant-cold-why-kids-are-always-sick-and-what-to-do-about-it/
  - https://www.nfid.org/resource/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-flu-rsv-covid-19-and-the-common-cold/
  - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/How-is-the-Flu-Different-From-COVID-19.aspx
  - https://utswmed.org/medblog/covid-flu-rsv-vaccine/
- FLU:
  - Find out where to get a flu shot in your area: https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/
  - https://www.nfid.org/resource/myths-and-facts-about-flu-and-children/
- COVID:
  - https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/09/426196/new-covid-19-vaccines-it-worth-shot
  - Sacramento County, COVID-19 Latest news and updates: https://www.saccounty.net/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx
  - https://www.mskcc.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine
- RSV:
  - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/immunization-information-statement.html
  - https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/rsv-vaccines-questions-patients-may-have-and-how-answer
November 28th, 2023 – Nutrition & Physical Activity (Zoom)
December 19th, 2023 – Seizures & Nervous System Disorders (Zoom)
January 30th, 2024 – Eye Care & Vision Screenings (Zoom)
February 27th, 2024 – Dental Care & Dental Screenings (Zoom)
March 26th, 2024 – Ear Care & Hearing Screenings (Zoom)
April 30th, 2024 – Stress & How To Manage Stress (Zoom)
May 28th, 2024 – Mental Health & Resources To Cope (Zoom)
June 25th, 2024 – Emergency Preparedness & First Aid (Zoom)
July 30th, 2024 – Immunity To Disease & Immunizations (Zoom)
August 27th, 2024 – Language & Hearing (Zoom)
- Language, Speech & Hearing Resources
September 24th, 2024 – Screen Time & Sleep Quality (Zoom)
October 29th, 2024 – Sugar & Sweets (Zoom)
November 26th, 2024 – Holidays – Reduce Stress (Zoom)
December 16th, 2024 – Nutrition – Feeding Cues & Pregnancy (Zoom)
January 28th, 2025 – Virus vs Bacteria & Antibiotics (Zoom)
February 25th, 2025 – Oral Health & Personal Hygiene (Zoom)
March 25th, 2025 – Mental Health (Zoom)
April 29th, 2025 – Dietary Lifestyles & Definitions (Zoom)
May 27th, 2025 – Exercise & Movement (Zoom)
June 24th, 2025 – Summer Safety (Zoom)
July 29th, 2025 – Resources & Indoor Activities (Zoom)

Wellness Webinars

These webinars encourages healthy behaviors and provide resources and information on various topics such as nutrition, oral health, pre and postnatal, mental and physical health.