Click here to visit our website November 2022

COVID-19 Information

Reporting COVID-19 cases to the Health District is still required and will continue to be required.

Call 425-339-5278 to report all cases to Snohomish County Health District.

New Guidance Released from Department of Health

On Oct 25, 2022, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released an updated version of the Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Cares which is effective on November 1 to coincide with the lifting of the last of the remaining Governor’s State of Emergency proclamations.

In this new version, many of the previous requirements have become recommendations. Remember that you must continue to follow all of the DCYF licensing requirements for excluding ill children and staff and notifying parents of communicable diseases. Child care providers may choose to enact stricter policies than DOH for their facility, but cannot enact less strict policies.

Providers are encouraged to pay attention to the COVID-19 level in the community. The Child Care Health team will begin sending out Health Alerts whenever the community level changes. The current community level is low. To receive our Health Alerts, subscribe here: Notify Me • Snohomish Health District, WA • CivicEngage (snohd.org).

The SHD’s Child Care webpage is in the process of being updated.

Families are strongly encouraged to vaccinate their children who are eligible, in consultation with their health care provider. COVID-19 vaccination is now available to children 6 months and older.

To report a COVID-19 case, or if you have any other questions about COVID-19, please call 425-339-5278 and leave a message or email childcarehealth@snohd.org. A staff person from the child care COVID-19 team will get back to you.

Immunization Tracking

It is that time of year again when immunization status needs to be reported to the Washington State Department of Health; for the 2022-2023 school year, immunization status reporting is due by December 1, 2022. For more information on this requirement visit the DOH webpage.

Schools, preschools, and child care providers must complete and file an immunization status report to DOH each year per WAC 246-105-060.

Reporting is required for:

Licensed child care centers with 13 or more children
Preschools located at a public or private school
Head Start and ECEAP programs

You do not need to report on children in child care who are attending transitional kindergarten through grade 12. The immunization status of these children will be reported by their public or private school.

The Child Care Health Outreach Program is able to offer assistance in preparing this report or answer any questions regarding immunizations in general.

For more information, please contact us at 425-252-5415, by email at childcarehealth@snohd.org, or contact Snohomish Health District’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Public Health Nurse Parris Miller at 425-359-7996.

RSV and Flu Cases on the Rise

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.

Symptoms of RSV include;

Runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing

These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once

Symptoms typically onset in 4-6 days after exposure

Parents should seek treatment immediately if their child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.

CDC surveillance has shown an increase in RSV detections and RSV-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in multiple U.S. regions, including Washington State.

The below link shows individual state trends.

RSV State Trends - NREVSS | CDC

Additional information on RSV is available from:

CDC - RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) | CDC
American Academy of Pediatrics – RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold
Snohomish Health District - parent fact sheet

Influenza or “flu” cases are also rising within Snohomish County and Washington State. The best way to protect yourself and others is to get your annual flu vaccine. For more information, ask your medical provider. To find where you and your family can receive the vaccine go to Vaccines.gov - Search for flu vaccine locations and enter your ZIP code.

Outdoor Play: Not just fun - it's GOOD for you!

As we move into the colder months, it is essential to remember that children still need to get outside and play.

Caring for Our Children: Health and Safety Standards for Early Learning recommends that children play outdoors two to three times a day during child care and early learning programs. Infants should also be taken outside two to three times a day for the benefits of fresh air and exposure to nature, as this provides a rich sensory experience and builds brain cells.

Regular outdoor play during child care can increase a child's daily dose of moderate to vigorous activity. Open spaces in outdoor areas, even those confined to screened rooftops in urban play spaces, encourage children to develop gross motor skills and fine motor play in ways that are difficult to duplicate indoors. Providing children with the opportunity to get outside and connect with nature has many benefits.

Research has shown that children who regularly play outside:

Become more fit, and maintain a healthier weight
Develop stronger immune systems
Have more active imaginations
Have lower stress levels
Have greater respect for themselves and others

Unless outdoor conditions pose a health or safety risk (per WAC 110-300-0147), grab a coat and get outside! Set the expectation that parents dress children for the weather and/or bring extra clothing.

"Time in nature is not leisure time; It's an essential investment in our children's health."
-Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods - Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

In the case of inclement weather, here are some fun ideas to keep your kiddos active indoors:

Well-balanced Nutrition for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

In children, lead is most damaging when they are six years old and younger. Children are growing at a very fast rate. They are growing bones, developing stronger muscles, and creating many connections in their brain.

Lead is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. When lead, instead of essential nutrients, is made "available" to the body, it can take the place of calcium and iron in the bones and cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system.

Even at levels below current standards, lead can be harmful and can be associated with:

Learning disabilities resulting in a decreased intelligence (decreased IQ)
Attention deficit disorder
Behavior issues
Speech and language impairment
Nervous system damage
Anemia
Decreased muscle growth
Decreased bone growth
Kidney damage

In rare cases, very high levels of lead are life-threatening and can cause seizures, unconsciousness, and death.

A well-balanced diet is one way to decrease the amount of lead that is being absorbed in the body. Lead is absorbed by the body in the same way as many vital nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc. The Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics advises that calcium is great for keeping children’s bones strong and can prevent lead from being absorbed. Increased iron intake also blocks lead from being absorbed, while vitamin C helps to absorb iron.

The EPA created a great resource that has meal plans and explains the effects of lead poisoning. More information can be found in this brochure: EPA Lead and a Healthy Diet

Fresh fruits and vegetables are great and can be found at local stores as well as farmer’s markets. But remember that kids get the same nutrition from eating fruits and vegetables that are frozen, canned (preferably without sweetened syrup), or dried. They can be whole, diced, pureed, mashed, or blended into other meal components like sauces or fillings. Don't be afraid to get creative.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has set a reference level of 3.5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter). This level is not considered a safe threshold; instead, it is meant to be a reference level to trigger public health action.

There is no known safe blood lead level for children. The neurological effects of lead are irreversible.

For more information contact the Child Care Health Outreach Program at childcarehealth@snohd.org or by phone at (425)-252-5415.

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 the families they serve. 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 and access fun activities for children at www.snohd.org/healthykids.

T is for Tough Conversations

Tough conversations are part of being a parent or caregiver, and while we can’t avoid them, we can approach them in a healthy way. Teach communication skills and model healthy conversations for children from the day they are born. Consider how to have age-appropriate conversations with your children, but don’t avoid hard topics. Think about what you want your child or teen to get out of a tough conversation before you sit down to have it. There are good resources to help, but remember, there is no perfect script.

More reading: T is for Tough Conversations

U is for Under Pressure

Children and teens face unique stressors. Caring for their mental health early on can help build resilience and wellness. Childhood stress can have lifelong impacts, but so can the lessons learned in how to cope with challenges. There are many techniques and ideas to help young people handle pressure. Remember that you are modeling habits for them – good or bad. Believe children or teens if they express that they are struggling with mental health. Serious concerns like depression or anxiety are not limited to adults.

More reading: U is for Under Pressure

V is for Vaccinate

How can the body build immunity without getting infected? Vaccines. Think of vaccinating your child as giving their growing body the training it needs to defend itself in case they are exposed to a disease later. Keeping up with recommended vaccines for children helps their bodies build immunity against many diseases.

More reading: V is for Vaccinate

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

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Click here to go to the online learning website.

This Month's Featured Classes

Germbusters: The Importance of Handwashing in Child Care

Good handwashing is important in reducing the spread of germs in child care environments. Handwashing helps us to stay well. In this class, participants will develop a full understanding of how the handwashing steps work to get rid of germs, how to teach children about handwashing while managing handwashing in large groups, and the appropriate use of instant hand sanitizers. (2.0 STARS credits or clock hours; cost $20.00. Costs may be reimbursed by DCYF - see their website for more information).

Register Here

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 other viruses it may be confused with, learn about how seasonal influenza is different from pandemic influenza, and find new strategies to avoid influenza illness. We’ll cover everything from the virus that causes flu to the global impact of influenza pandemics. This is a level 1 to 4 basic class. (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. 202, 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.