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Do you have COVID-19 questions?

Coming Soon - FAQ and Health Alert with newly revised COVID-19 Guidance

We know that child care and early learning providers have a lot of questions about COVID-19. We would like to help get you answers. We encourage child care providers in Snohomish County to email us at childcarehealth@snohd.org with your specific questions. We will compile our responses and post them as a Frequently Asked Questions document on our website at: https://www.snohd.org/491/COVID-19-Info-for-Schools-Child-Cares.

Make sure you are signed up to receive health alerts by going to www.snohd.org/notifyme.

Cloth Face Coverings and Children

The Washington State Department of Health recently sent out a blog post that addresses children wearing cloth face coverings. Getting children used to the idea of wearing cloth face coverings is going to take some time. We are all adjusting to a new way of doing things. Here is what the Department of Health has to say:

Helping kids to wear cloth face coverings
Are your children wearing pants? Do they know where their shoes are? We’re off our routine, the kids aren’t really leaving the house, and some of us have changed our standards for appropriate daily wear. But now that the weather is getting warmer and the state parks are open, the outdoors is beckoning. Time to get the kids in shoes and cloth face coverings. When we meet someone on the trail or anywhere we are physically unable to maintain a six-foot distance, we need to cover our mouth and nose with a couple layers of cloth. Even the kids, if they are more than two years old. While some children will not have any trouble with this at all, others may struggle. It might feel weird to them, it might slip around, and it’s harder to put things in your mouth when it’s covered. Here are ways that you can help your child adjust to wearing a cloth face covering.

Start small. Have your child “help” you by holding their face covering. Over the next few days, gradually move to wearing it hooked on their ears and around their neck like a scarf, then on their face. Have them wear it for longer stretches, during activities they enjoy, like watching their favorite show or dancing to their favorite song.
Offer praise.Give high-fives, hugs, treats, or an extra book at bedtime as a way of rewarding them.
Model the behavior you want to see. Leave your cloth face covering where your child can see it. Wear it while doing simple tasks, like washing dishes or folding laundry so that it becomes more normal.
Making face coverings at home? Let kids help! Let your child help make their own face covering. Have them pick the fabric and decorate it. Participation makes them naturally more invested in wearing them.
Explain why it is important. Share the good things that face coverings can do, rather than the bad things a virus can do. Let them know that everyone is doing extra things to stop germs from spreading.
Practice compassion. Are you and the kids really good at making cloth face coverings? Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib has challenged us to make, wear, and donate cloth face coverings. See www.WAmaskChallenge.org for details!

The WAmaskChallenge.org website has a place where organizations can sign up to receive donated cloth face coverings. Child cares can use this site as one possible resource for acquiring cloth face coverings. Snohomish County Early Achievers may also have cloth face coverings available for child care providers.

Self Care for YOU

During these uncertain times, there is so much unknown and this can cause an increase in worry, stress and anxiety. We are worrying about our family members, our finances, and ourselves. One thing to remember during these stressful times is to take care of yourself. Make sure to eat healthy, drink enough water, get plenty of exercise, and take time for you.

Nutrition
One of the most effective ways to give our immune system a helping hand is by eating ample amounts of fruits and vegetables. They supply the vitamins and phytochemi-cals necessary for maintaining a strong immune system.

Sleep
A good night’s sleep may not prevent illness but getting enough sleep on a regular basis will ensure a strong, well-functioning immune system. New guidelines recommend 7 - 9 hours a day for most of us. Some tips to get a good night’s sleep include getting physical activity during the day, establish a bedtime routine and minimize distractions, and avoiding computer/screen use prior to bed.

Hydration
Ensuring normal fluid balance has many benefits to maintaining a strong immune system. Water in the body is involved in the synthesis of many important immune system proteins and in sustaining the cellular health of all of our organs. Support healthy fluid levels in the body by drinking water throughout the day and eating foods dripping with water. Although drinking 8 glasses of water a day is not a specific recommendation, it is a good goal to ensure adequate fluid intake throughout the day.

Physical Activity
The 2019 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week for adults, or about 30 minute a day most days of the week. This can be accomplished all at once or in short spurts…sit less and move more! Being active everyday contributes to a healthy weight and helps ward off chronic disease like hypertension, diabetes heart disease and stroke. Being even a little physically active makes it easier to carry out daily tasks with less fatigue and more endurance, feel less anxious and sleep better. Try walking, dancing, yoga, and even gardening or yard work.

Other Self Care Strategies to Consider

Avoid drugs and limit alcohol as these substances can actually worsen depression and anxiety.
Stay in touch with friends and loved ones. Physical distancing doesn’t mean self-isolating. Maintain relationships - make a phone call/face time, send group emails, arrange video chats, reach out on social media, talk to a neighbor across the street.
Take time to meditate, take deep calming breaths and center yourself. Guided imagery is a good method to center yourself and focus on your surroundings.
Engage in activities you enjoy; quilting, knitting, gardening, yoga, and scrapbooking are just a few ideas.
Take time away from the news in all forms: television, radio, social media and print.
Learn how to grow a garden. WSU extension is offering a FREE virtual gardening series starting June 2. Link to Master Gardener Online Classes for more info.

Do you, or someone you know, need mental health support?
Reach out:

Contact your health insurance company; they have resources for support.
In an emergency: call 911 from any hand set.
Call the crisis line at 800-584-3578 or chat online at www.imhurting.org.
Call or text the Disaster Distress Hotline: call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Mental Health for Kids

During this unprecedented time we can all feel so overwhelmed and caught up in our own stress that we forget to think about how our little ones are coping with their feelings. None of us respond to stress in the same way, this includes children and teens. As adults we may experience trouble sleeping or changes in our eating habits, such as forgetting to eat or absentmindedly eating the whole box of cookies. Children and teens may experience regressions in previously met milestones such as bedwetting or potty-training. There are some things we can do as adults to help ease the burden on our children, such as talking to them about how they are feeling and answering their questions honestly.

One of the most important things we can do as adults is provide support. To best show support for others we need to take care of ourselves first. (See self-care article above.)
One critical supportive measure is to take time to talk to children in our care, listen to their feelings and answer questions they have sincerely and at their developmental level.
Provide children with accurate, honest responses in a non-scary manner. By providing accurate information we can reduce the spread of rumors and stigma associated with COVID-19.

Guide children through activities that help them express and relieve their stress and feelings. Some ideas include:

Sit outside and have each child describe how it makes them feel.
Watch clouds and have children point out shapes and make up stories about what they see.
Have children stretch and guide them through relaxing imagery such as; melting like an ice cube or a snowman.
Have children pretend that they are blowing into a balloon - take a deep breath in and blow their feelings out into their pretend balloon.

Serve up a variety of foods, provide lots of water breaks and schedule ample outside time to help keep their bodies healthy and immune systems strong.

Another way to help the children in your care is to teach and model healthy hygiene habits. Remind children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then to throw the tissue away and wash their hands. Teach proper hand washing through games, songs, and posting fun pictures or posters. Teach physical distancing by providing place markers for children: carpet squares, tape markers, or decorated paper plates.

This can be a scary and a stressful time especially for children because they don’t understand all the changes happening around them. There are so many activities to do with children of all ages to help them feel more at ease during these uncertain times. Be proud of the special care you can give children and remember to care for yourself.

Here are some resources that may be helpful in guiding children to process their feelings:

The Genius of Play - Ideas for play that helps uncover children's feelings

Help Kids manage their anxiety around COVID-19 - Videos of child psychologists

Gift-Noelle Wango, MPH,
BSN, RN
Program Supervisor

Who We Are

Since the Child Care Health Outreach Program has had some staff changes, we would like to share our photos with you so you can connect the name with a face.

Michelle Rolfson, RN-BSN
Public Health Nurse

Micha Horn, MS, RS
Environmental Health Specialist

Katy Levenhagen, MS, RDN
Nutritionist

Classes are available to everyone. Learning courses can be taken at no cost.
If you wish to obtain a certificate or In-Service Hours/STARS credit, cost is $10 per credit hour (...unless otherwise noted as in the case of this month's Free Featured Class).

Click here for instructions on how to use our online learning portal.

Image of people using online learning portal.

Click here to go to the online learning website.

This Month's Featured Class - IT'S FREE!!!
Earn one In-Service Training Hour (STARS Credit)

COVID-19 Class for Child Care Providers in Washington State

(Available for a limited time only)

Child care programs have a key role in slowing the spread of illnesses such as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and protecting susceptible children and staff. Due to closeness of contact between children and staff, preventing the spread of COVID-19 in child care has been challenging.

This COVID-19 In-Service Training has been specially developed for child care providers currently operating child care programs in Washington State during the COVID-19 outbreak. It outlines guidance for child care established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). It also provides many practical ideas for applying the guidelines established by some local public health agencies in the State. All of the local health department links are readily available in the class so you can easily refer to the specific county guidance for child care programs.

Registration Information
for the Free COVID-19 Class

Visit the SHD Child Care Health Outreach Program Course link
At the top of the page, select the SignUp link and enter the requested information. Look for the COVID-19 Class in the Health and Illness section of the Course Catalog. Once you successfully complete the class, you will automatically be able to print a Certificate of Completion awarding you with one In-service Training Hour (STARS Credit) and your name will be entered into the MERIT System.
For questions contact:
childcarehealth@snohd.orgor 425-252-5415.

Contact Information

Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Ste. 104, Everett, WA 98201

Email: childcarehealth@snohd.org

Program Phone: 425.252.5415

Website: http://www.snohd.org/238/Child-Care-Providers

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The Child Care Health Outreach Program staff are available to consult with you on these and other health, safety, and nutrition topics by phone, by email, or at your child care.