Click here to Visit Our Website October 2021

COVID Guidance Updates

In case you missed our health alert from September 15, 2021, the Washington State Department of Health updated its COVID-19 guidance for Child Care and Early Learning programs. You can access this updated guidance at:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/DOH-OSPI-DYCF-SchoolsChildCareGuidance.pdf

Sign up to receive child care health alerts from Snohomish Health District by going to www.snohd.org/notifyme.

Child Immunization Reports Due 12/1

Every year child care providers must report the immunization status of children in their care to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Normally these reports are due on November 1st, but this year the deadline is on December 1st. Reporting will open on November 1st. For more information on how to file your report, please visit the WaDOH website. If you have questions or need assistance in determining if a child is up to date with their immunizations, how to organize your immunization records, or need other information about immunization recording or reporting, please contact the Child Care Health Outreach Program by calling 425-252-5415 or emailing us at childcarehealth@snohd.org.

Vroom Brain Building Basics

Have you heard of Vroom? Research shows there is no better time to create a strong foundation for lifelong learning than the first five years of life. It's during this time that the brain develops most rapidly. Vroom is a program that provides science-based tips and tools to help caregivers turn shared, everyday moments into Brain Building Moments^®. Child care providers can incorporate Vroom tips and ideas into their child care day without any extra money, time, or materials. These same tips can be shared with families to help them make the most of their time at home with their children. Vroom tips can be downloaded from the website or delivered to your cell phone by text or through the app. Vroom tips are available in up to 17 different languages and can be printed to share with families in your care. Below are links to some resources that you might find helpful and one example of a Vroom Tip.

FREE STARS Training on Vroom - To help familiarize child care providers with this useful tool, Snohomish Health District is providing a free, online class worth 1 STARS in-service credit.
Vroom poster
Vroom info card
Pages of Vroom Tips to Share with Familie s
Example: Vroom Tips for Stressful Time
Example: Vroom Tip - "Rolie Polie" activity (see below)

Prepare for the Flu

Get your child care and families prepared for flu season. The best way to do this is to encourage staff and families to get their flu shot. The flu shot is approved for individuals 6 months and older. Many of the symptoms of flu are the same as symptoms of COVID-19 - things like fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year influenza leads to hospitalization for somewhere between 6,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 years in the US. Many of the the things that child care providers are doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, like distancing, cohorting, wearing masks, and handwashing, also help prevent flu from spreading. Here are links to a few resources to share with families:

Breastfeeding Facts and Fiction

As a child care provider, you have a tremendous opportunity to help educate and support families along their breastfeeding journey. Our website has a brochure on how to support breastfeeding in child care settings.

With the conclusion of National Breastfeeding Month in August, let’s discuss some breastfeeding facts and fiction (or misconceptions). Due to the multitude of health benefits that come from breastfeeding for mother and baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend breastfeeding as the sole source of infant nutrition for the first 6 months of life, continued through 12 months as additional foods are introduced, or longer if desired.

Fiction: It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.

Fact: While some discomfort may be felt in the initial days of breastfeeding it should not be painful. If pain is occurring, it can often be resolved by improving infant latching and positioning. Consulting a lactation specialist can help with finding the strategies that work best for you to maximize breastfeeding comfort.

Fiction: Breastfeeding is easy and should come naturally.

Fact: While breastfeeding itself is a natural act, just like any new activity or skill, breastfeeding takes time and practice to develop confidence and comfort. There are many challenges that make breastfeeding difficult including positioning, latching, the adjustment to caring for a newborn, varying levels of support at home and in the workplace, and many more. If breastfeeding is not easy, that is normal and it can improve overtime.

Fiction: You won’t be able to breastfeed once you go back to work

Fact: In Washington there are laws that protect your ability to continue breastfeeding when you go back to work by requiring employers to provide time and a private space (that is not a bathroom) to pump breastmilk, if desired. See Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington for more information on your rights. You can work with your support system and employer to determine a plan that works for you. Pumping breastmilk for bottle feedings when feeding from the breast is not possible, is a great option when going back to work. You can also supplement breastfeeding with formula.

Fiction: You are a bad mom if you don’t breastfeed.

Fact: breastfeeding is a deeply personal choice and there are many challenges to initiating or continuing breastfeeding. If you do not breastfeed or do not breastfeed for as long as you intended, this does not make you a bad mom. While there are health benefits to breastfeeding, it is most important to make sure your infant is getting the nutrition, love, and affection they need to grow up healthy, both physically and mentally.

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 Classes

Brain Building Moments with Vroom

Take this course to learn all about Vroom, a science-based program that early learning providers can use to promote brain development among children in their care. Brain building with children during their first 5 years gives them a strong base for lifelong learning. Vroom celebrates the powerful motivation that unites caregivers -- a sense of pride and resourcefulness to provide the best start in life for children -- while being flexible and adaptable to meet the unique needs of diverse groups and communities. And Vroom is achievable within the reality of caregivers' busy lives and doesn't require extra time or money. Learn how to access and use this wonderful free resource. This course is free and provides 1 in-service (STARS) credit. Click here to register.

Preparing for the Flu

Harm from influenza disproportionately affects young children. This class provides both basic and advanced information regarding influenza. In this class participants will identify the difference between flu and colds, learn about how seasonal influenza is different from pandemic influenza, and find new strategies to avoid influenza illness. Click here to register.

Building Confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccination

Learn how to protect yourself, your family and community from the COVID-19 virus and its variants through this online training. The course covers information on vaccine hesitancy and building vaccine confidence Subject matter experts in the field provide answers to frequently asked questions. Together we can build community immunity and get back to living a safe and healthy life. This course is being offered free of charge to child care providers in Washington State and offers 1.0 in-service (STARS) credit. Click here to register.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH: Fomento de la confianza en la vacunación COVID-19

Aprenda cómo protegerse a sí mismo, a su familia y a la comunidad del virus COVID-19 a través de la capacitación en línea; Fomento de la confianza en la vacuna COVID-19. El curso cubre información sobre las dudas sobre las vacunas y el fomento de la confianza en las vacunas. Los expertos en la materia en el campo brindan respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes. Juntos podemos construir la inmunidad comunitaria y volver a vivir una vida segura y saludable. Este curso se ofrece de forma gratuita a los proveedores de cuidado infantil en el estado de Washington y ofrece 1.0 crédito en servicio (STARS). Pulse aquí para registrarse.

CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Free Training from Public Health Seattle King County and the University of Washington Autism Center

Virtual training sessions are being offered at no cost. Live interpretation in Spanish & Somali. In-service (STARS) credits available.

Click Here to join the trainings on Zoom (Passcode: 035602).

October 12, 1pm - 3pm: Learn how to promote healthy social-emotional development in children ages 0-5 with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
November 9, 1pm - 3pm: Learn how to promote healthy social-emotional development in children ages 0-5 with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Contact Information

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

Email: childcarehealth@snohd.org
I
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.