|
|
What's In This Newsletter?
- NEW Resilience Class for Child Care Providers!
- Child Care Provider COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
- Important COVID-19 Updates
- Use of Sleep Slacks in Child Care
- Seven Types of Self-Care: Mental / Mastery Strategies
- National Nutrition Month & Farm to ECE Webinar
- Child Care Health & Safety Featured Classes
- More Classes - COMING SOON!
|
|
|
|
NEW Resilience Class for Child Care Providers!
It is hard to believe that the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic is here. No doubt, there may be varying emotions, experiences, and impacts felt from this last year, and the Snohomish Health District Child Care Health Outreach Program recognizes the heroic work of child care providers in fostering a stable, familiar and safe place for children to be each day. In order to support YOU, we have prepared a class on Building Resilience for Child Care Providers. Click here to take the course. See featured classes at the end of the newsletter for a course overview.
|
|
|
|
Child Care Provider COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Child care providers are now eligible to receive the vaccine as part of Phase 1B, Tier 1. See the full statement from Governor Inslee here. Child care providers are encouraged to access vaccines through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The Phase Finder online tool can help determine if you are eligible.This category should consider the full spectrum of workers including administrators, environmental services staff, maintenance workers, school bus drivers, paraeducators, and all of who are essential to child care and education.
Specifically, this group includes those who face substantially high risk of exposure given work conditions because they are operating in a congregate setting interacting with co-workers or youth over extended periods of time. Eligible child care includes:
Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade educators and school staff Licensed family home child care providers, and the family members living in their home. License-exempt family, friends, and neighbor providers that accept Working Connections Child Care subsidy. These in-home providers can serve up to 6 children. ECEAP, Washington’s state-funded preschool providers. This is similar to the national Head Start program, which is named in the directive. License-exempt school-age and youth development providers who have been providing care to school-age children since the pandemic began and schools were closed. As schools moved to online and hybrid models, these programs have continued to provide child care for school-age children.
Be sure you are signed up to get our health alerts for important and urgent health messages such as communicable disease outbreaks, pandemic response, environmental health hazards, and vaccine information. We have also have shared information about appointments at mass vaccination clinics through our health alerts. Sign up here.
|
|
|
|
Important COVID-19 Updates
Evaluating and Excluding Individuals with Symptoms of COVID-19
The Washington State Department of Health has updated the document for evaluating and excluding individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. There have been no changes to the symptom list or flow chart. The document now includes information for fully vaccinated individuals. If a person is fully vaccinated (all doses of vaccine are received, they are at least 2 weeks past their last dose, and they have no symptoms), they are not required to quarantine if they are exposed to a known case of COVID-19. If the vaccinated person develops symptoms, they will still need to follow the isolation guidance and should still get tested. See the full guidance document from the DOH here.
Quarantine after Travel for Vaccinated Individuals
At this point in time, vaccinated persons still need to quarantine for 14 days after return to Washington State. This includes domestic and international travel. Additional information on travel can be found here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Infant sleeping in a non-weighted sleep sack.
|
Use of Sleep Slacks in Child CareSudden infant death syndrome (SIDs) is the unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, and usually occurs while the infant is sleeping. Although the cause is unknown, the cause is believed to be a mixture of physical and environmental factors. Children born with a brain defect, low birth weight (less than 5lbs 8oz), or infants with a recent respiratory infection are factors that can be associated with SIDs.There are several steps to help prevent SIDs that can be done in child care such as always putting babies to sleep on their backs, use of pacifiers, ensuring they do not get overheated, and never putting anything in the crib; only a firm mattress and fitted sheet.
But how does baby stay warm if we don’t use a blanket? One option is sleep sacks. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that allows the infant movement and is a safer alternative for infants at risk of SIDs. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket or sleep sack, is preferred over blankets and other coverings to keep baby warm.
Weighted sleep sacks however should not be used, especially in child care; some infants may sleep better, but the risk of SIDs is increased. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? No. Some weighted sleep sacks for infants and toddlers can weigh up to 25lbs, and the average 6 month old weighs only 16lbs. Placing a weighted blanket or sleep sack on an infant can reduce their ability to move or suppress their ability to breath. These items should not be used in child care, unless approved by a licensed health care provider.
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 Types of Self-Care: Mental / Mastery Strategies
Self-care is about taking the time to put your health and well-being first. We are referencing Dr. Greg Markway’s seven types of self-care. This is part 7 of a multi-part series.
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein
The seventh type of self-care that Dr. Markway discusses is mental/mastery self-care. It feels good to challenge your brain in a novel way, to create something new, or to take steps on a task that seems impossible. If you love to learn, or if you possess the strengths of curiosity, or perseverance, doing these sorts of things may bring you pleasure. But let’s be real - who doesn’t enjoy just sitting in front of the TV and vegging out after a long day? However, to keep your brain healthy, and to feel a sense of mastery, it is good to challenge your brain. An achievement like this gives you a mental and emotional boost!
Mental / mastery is not about being a brainiac, a trivial pursuit genius, or someone who aced their SAT test. It has to do with your own goals. It often involves other skills like leadership, negotiation, math, creativity, or simply skills in overcoming life’s many challenges. Now we will discuss some ideas for mental/mastery self-care.
Try a new activity, especially one that engages your brain. Things like learning to knit, putting together a piece of furniture, writing a poem or learning a new piece of music. Many people feel a huge sense of accomplishment when they clean out a closet or organize a section of the garage. You can immerse yourself in a puzzle, a word search, or Sudoku. Read as often as you can, read about something that interests you but don’t know much about.
Dr. Seuss once said,
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you’ll go.”
Take action, one small step, on something you’ve been avoiding. Have fun crossing things off a “To do” list. If you are trying to learn something new and are feeling frustrated, it is totally okay to reach out for help; let someone show you how it’s done or look it up online. Utilizing resources in order to master something does not discount that you mastered it!
Sometimes learning something new does require courage and determination.
Here are some top tips on learning: - Use different modalities to learn. Interact with the information, use all of your senses.
- Find meaning in learning.
- Learn by doing.
- Study how the experts do the task, or find a mentor.
- Teach others what you have learned.
- Spend more time practicing things you find more difficult.
- Take frequent breaks. The brain responds well to exercise by bringing in more oxygen and nutrients.
- Quiz yourself. Recalling information is a key part of the memory process.
- Always be curious, seek answers from many sources.
The most important thing to remember in learning something new is to believe in yourself and to pat yourself on the back for putting in the effort.
Congratulations! You have read essays on all seven of the types of self-care that Dr. Markway talks about: emotional, sensory, spiritual, physical, pleasure, social and mental/mastery. Hopefully you found some of the activities helpful. As child care providers, it is essential that we take care of ourselves. This newsletter will continue to include articles about self-care.
In closing, we will leave you with a quote from John F. Kennedy,
“The human mind is our fundamental resource.”
Be well!
Sue Starr, Public Health Nurse, Snohomish Health District
|
|
|
|
National Nutrition Month!
The month of MARCH is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign launched by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition plays a key role in the health, well-being and development of children. In addition to nourishment, food and its associated traditions can be a wonderful source of enjoyment and satisfaction. In honor of National Nutrition Month, we have attached an article - Feelings of Food: Exploring the Mind Body Connection - which discusses the impact of nutrition on both physical and emotional processes. A word search activity for children is also available.
Farm to ECE Webinar Opportunity!
Hosted by WSDA Farm to School, Washington State Farm to School Network members and local school districts
Are you a school district nutrition staff or a child care provider interested in buying more food and ingredients from local farms for your meals? Come connect via Zoom with school & child care buyers and local farmers to help get more farm fresh foods to local kids! Hear from school & child care nutrition staff about their meal programs and how they feed kids, how they’ve adapted meal and food distribution during COVID-19, and current and future food and product needs.
School and child care nutrition staff, farmers and producers, local food distributors and suppliers, and farm to school supporters can register below: If there isn’t a meeting happening for your region, or you can’t make the date, please reach out to ciberle@agr.wa.gov to get involved with what’s happening in your area, or visit the Washington State Farm to School Network Regional Hubs to find out more about programs near you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
March Featured Classes
This course will build upon Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). You do not need to have taken the ACEs course to understand this material, though the ACEs course may provide context as to why resilience is particularly important. The Resilience for Child Care Providers course will explain what resilience is, describe some foundational elements of internal resilience in adulthood, and provide opportunities to explore each of these elements in your own life. Stay updated on COVID-19 requirements and recommendations. The class is updated regularly to reflect the most current Washington State guidance. Click here for an informational flier. Keeping children healthy is a crucial part of the child care provider’s daily routine. Child care providers teach children lifelong skills, including those that will help them avoid spreading germs such as washing hands and covering coughs. Young children can and should learn to share in the responsibility of keeping themselves and others healthy. This course will serve to encourage child care providers to engage children in learning about germs and staying healthy. It will also give some helpful ideas on how to communicate the topic to children in simple and creative ways.
New Classes Coming Soon!
COVID-19 for Washington State Schools
This course is being offered as a public health service to teachers in our community, and offers 1 in-service hour (1.0 STARS credit which can be credited as a clock hour) at no cost for a limited time. The novel coronavirus has changed the way we live. The fallout from this contagious germ has impacted daily normal activities that children engage in. To contain the spread of COVID-19, unprecedented emphasis is now on basic hygiene, many of which teachers already know well: diligent handwashing, coughing and sneezing into tissues and sleeves, keeping staff and children physically distanced, and following strict guidelines for keeping sick children and staff home.
Schools remain a critical place for children to thrive, grow and develop. The intent of this training is to provide evidence-based information and practices for COVID-19. Topics covered will include how the virus is spread and specific guidelines for limiting exposure in out-of-home settings such as school. This training will provide specific guidance for engagement in typical school activities children while practicing physical distancing, health screening and sanitation. More than ever, it is important for children's mental and emotional health to have a stable, familiar and safe place to be.
Mealtime Matters: Supporting Meaningful Mealtimes in Child Care
This course will reinforce the importance of mealtime practices which promote learning, development, and nutrition among young children in an early learning environment. This training will review components of meaningful mealtimes, including how to support “picky eaters” as well as the importance of fostering a positive feeding relationship between caregiver and child. Relevant Washington Administrative Codes (WACs), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines, Early Achievers quality standards, and Caring for Our Children best practices will also be reviewed in this course, as well as current COVID-19 mealtime guidance and exemptions. General Class and Registration InformationClasses 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). Remember that child care providers are able to apply for reimbursement through DCYF up to $250.00 once each year. Click here for more information.
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. Search for classes in the Course Catalog. Once you successfully complete the COVID-19 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. An in-service training hour is also available for the Teaching Illness Prevention course. To obtain credit, click on the STARS credit / certificate module of the Teaching Illness Prevention course (in the Course Catalog) after completing the learning course.
For questions contact: childcarehealth@snohd.org or 425-252-5415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact InformationSnohomish 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
Received this as a forward? Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
