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Free Soil and Toy Screening Event

Kids love to play in the dirt. Gardening and nature play are important parts of many child care programs. But did you know that harmful substances, such as lead and arsenic, could be in your play area soil and in old or foreign-made toys? Bring soil samples and/or toys from your facility to have them screened for FREE. Share this invitation with your families as well. They are welcome.

Those who are most likely to benefit from this event are:

child cares in buildings or homes built before 1978
child cares located near historically busy roadways (for example, those near I-5 or Hwy 99)
child cares on former orchard properties
child cares who frequently buy toys at garage sales, thrift stores, or accept donated toys

Staff from Snohomish Health District and the Washington State Department of Health will be available to screen soil and toys, explain screening results, and share information on ways to reduce potential exposures. This event will take place:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10am - 2pm
at Snohomish Health District
3020 Rucker Ave, Everett WA 98201

It only takes a few minutes so drop by at your convenience. No appointment is needed.

Can't make it on September 24? Fill out the Soil and Toy Screening Intake form (Lead or Toy Screening Intake Form) and mail in or drop your soil sample or toy off during business hours at the address above. All items must be received before 9/24. We will contact you within a week after the event to discuss the screening results.

For more information about this event and instructions for how to take a soil sample, please see our Event Flyer Free Soil and Toy Screening. Feel free to share this handout with parents.

Please reach out with any additional questions you may have to 425-252-5415 or childcarhealth@snohd.org.

Let's Talk

Lead is a toxic metal that was once commonly used in paint, gasoline, pipes, and other areas. Unfortunately lead sticks around for a very long time in the environment and is very harmful to young children. There is no safe level of lead.

Please join us in our public health efforts to help guide our work in reducing childhood lead poisoning.

Parents and caregivers: We would love to hear from you.

Please contact us between August 1 and August 15, 2022, to schedule a convenient time to speak with our team.

Appointments will take 10 minutes or less and can be completed by phone or virtually.

email: childcarehealth@snohd.org
phone: (425) 252-5415

Snohomish Health District and our community appreciates your time and effort.

Please see invitation below:

Let's Talk Flyer

We Need Your Feedback!

Please Complete the Survey Below

A Lactation Feeding Friendly child care program promotes and supports lactation and breast/human milk feeding for the families they serve and their staff. They understand and value the importance of breast/human milk and recognize that many families want to continue to offer breastmilk to their child after returning to work. The Lactation Feeding Friendly child care program provides a safe and welcoming environment for all families as well as their staff.

The Snohomish Health District is developing a program to recognize child cares who offer this type of welcoming environment. We have created a survey that will guide us in developing the best toolkit possible to assist your child care in becoming recognized as a Lactation Feeding Friendly Environment.

This short survey consists of 10 questions and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Please select the response that best fits your child care. We appreciate any responses to the questions that you can provide.

SurveyMonkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LactationFeedingFriendlyChildCareSurvey2022

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please reach out to our Lactation/Breastfeeding Program Team:

Lindee Tollefsen LTollefsen@snohd.org
Michelle Rolfson MRolfson@snohd.org
Melinda Lozovoy MLozovoy@snohd.org

Stay Safe in the Heat

Children are at higher risk of heat-related illness than most adults when they are exposed to heat and humidity, especially if they are not drinking enough water.

Consult the Heat Index, a measure of how hot it really feels outside when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

To protect children from extreme heat:

Make sure they drink plenty of water.
Stay in the shade or an air-conditioned space when possible.
Encourage lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and hats.
Apply sunscreen frequently.
Refer to the Child Care Weather Watch resource which provides guidance for infants/toddlers, young children, and older children based on the Heat Index.

If you are unable to keep children safe and comfortable in the heat, please consider closing for the day.

COVID-19 Information

COVID transmission is high and the health care system continues to be under stress due to high demand for services and low staffing. Get up-to-date with COVID vaccinations and boosters and stay up-to-date, mask up in public settings, avoid crowds and large gatherings, isolate yourself and get tested if you have symptoms.

The tried-and-true prevention measures work, and we need them. This is the time to make sure you are up-to-date on COVID vaccinations and booster doses. Not sure when to get your booster, or whether you should get a second one? The Washington State Department of Health has a table available online that outlines booster information. Though it still is possible for someone who is vaccinated to get COVID, being vaccinated and boosted drastically decreases the likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization.

Everyone should also keep their masks handy. Masks still are required in certain settings, and when the community level is high, CDC recommends masks in indoor public spaces. If you’re outdoors at a crowded venue, that’s also a good time to wear a mask. Voluntary masking – regardless of vaccination status – can help slow the spread of illness.

And if you feel sick, stay home and test for COVID. If you have been exposed to COVID, test immediately if you have symptoms or wait five days after the exposure to test if you do not have symptoms. Anyone who tests positive or has been exposed should follow isolation and quarantine guidance. The DOH’s Isolation & Quarantine Calculator is a useful tool if you’re not sure how long to stay home and away from others.

Resources:

Learn more about COVID vaccination at www.snohd.org/covidvaccine
Find testing resources at www.snohd.org/testing
Keep up-to-date on COVID case counts at www.snohd.org/casecounts
CDC's COVID-19 Community levels and recommendations at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Remember to continue to report all cases of COVID-19 in children and staff at your child care to Snohomish Health District.

Call 425-252-5415 (child care health line), 425-339-5278 (call center), or email childcarehealth@snohd.org.

Immunizations are Safe and Effective

Immunization rates are down across Washington State. Families and children are at risk of diseases that are easily preventable by vaccines. Vaccines provide a high level of protection, with minimal risk.

Before a vaccine can be used in the U.S., it is thoroughly tested. It must be shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. If the benefits are not greater than the risks, the vaccine will not be approved.

Childhood vaccines are timed to give strong protection before your child is ever exposed to a dangerous disease. Your child’s immune system fights viruses and bacteria every day – it can handle the recommended vaccine schedule.

Breast milk provides protection from things like colds, ear infections, and diarrhea, but will not protect against all diseases. Childhood vaccines are the best defense as your child grows.

Studies and reviews following millions of children from around the world have shown that there is no connection between autism and childhood vaccines.

Take action to protect our precious children.

The following links provide rack cards to share with families and are available in multiple languages:

ABC's for Healthy Kids

This month we continue our ABC's for Healthy Kids feature. We encourage child care providers to take this information from Snohomish Health District and share it with your parents. You can include these mini-articles in your newsletters or print out activity pages from our website to do with children and send them home.

You can learn more or get fun activities for children at www.snohd.org/healthykids.

N is for No Sunburns Allowed

Ultraviolet rays from sunlight can damage skin and eyes. Plan for sun protection when you and your family are outside.

Good ways to reduce sun exposure include moving to shaded areas, putting on sunscreen, and dressing in lightweight clothes that cover skin. Don’t rely on just one strategy to keep your family safe in the sun. Shade, sunscreen and style work best when you use them all together.

Read the latest ABC's for Healthy Kids Blog to find out more

O is for Open to New Things

Lifelong learning is good for growing brains as well as aging brains, so set your children up for healthy minds and bodies by being open to new topics and experiences.

Babies through elementary age, especially, are wired to be constantly learning new things. Structure and routine are helpful, but a lot of great learning happens when things don’t go to plan. Try to be flexible and adaptable. There are many resources to help you learn about new topics and have new experiences.

Read the latest ABC's for Healthy Kids Blog to find out more

Supporting Children’s Mental Health Throughout Summertime

While summer break is a time for children to relax and play, the change in routine can be a source of anxiety for some children. Summertime can also be a source of stress for parents and caregivers as they try to maintain a balance between work and providing fun and fulfilling activities for their children.

Below are some tips and strategies for supporting your child’s mental health throughout summertime:

Create structure – this can be done by making a schedule that provides consistency. Sticking to the same morning and bedtime routine, scheduling a weekly playdate, or planning a weekly Zoom call with extended family members can provide a predictable routine that will help your child thrive.
Plan activities – involve your child in planning new and fun summertime activities. A family BBQ, summer camp, swimming lessons, a trip to the library, or a day at the park will provide quality time that you both can look forward to.
Get outside – limit screen time and get some fresh air with an outdoor activity. Children benefit greatly from physical activity and getting out of the house. If temperatures are too hot during the day, plan for an evening walk or bike ride!
Prioritize family time – quality time is so important and can be integrated into every day moments. Family movie night, cooking a meal together, or reading a story at bedtime are some great ways to work quality family time into your daily routine.
Find a balance – while providing structure for your child is important, cramming in too many activities can be overwhelming. Finding the right balance between work and play will help your child develop an important skill they will use throughout their lifetime.

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

Summertime Illness and Injury Prevention

Summertime brings opportunity for child cares to incorporate different experiences and more outdoor time to their programs. Sunshine, water play, picnics, and field trips all are a part of summertime fun. But these fun activities are not without risk. Child care providers need to be aware of the illness and injury risks associated with summertime activities to keep children safe while experiencing the joys that come with the season. Topics covered include safe water play, food safety, animals and insects, sun safety, and summertime illnesses. (2.0 STARS credits or clock hours; cost $20.00. Costs may be reimbursed by DCYF - see their website for more information).

Register Here

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.