Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/getting-the-most-from-health-consultation/5019840/
Early childhood and health professionals recognize that early care and education settings provide a valuable opportunity to promote health for children and their families. However, a number of risks to health and safety are inherent to care of children in groups. Consultation with skilled health professionals can help both reduce those risks and increase opportunities for health in early childhood programs. Understanding the role of health consultants and knowing the resources for such guidance will help programs get the most from this useful service.Role of a health consultant in early childhood settings
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Childcare Programs (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Childcare and Early Education, 2002) recommends that all child care centers use the services of a health consultant. Approximately half of the states include such consultation in their licensing regulations. Guidance about the role of the health consultant in early childhood settings is available in Caring for Our Children, as well as a number of other resources such as Healthy Child Care America, California Childcare Health Program, Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS), and the National Training ...