HEALTHY KIDS

  Introduction | Health | Mental Health | Health Resource Links

Introduction to Healthy Kids

Head Start is focused on school readiness which the Head Start program believes should incorporate a regard for the total well being of the child. This holistic approach to school readiness includes ensuring the stability and well being of the child’s family. Head Start, therefore, is a comprehensive pre-school program. Concern for both the child and her family’s health is an integral part of the Head Start and Early Head Start program philosophy upon which many of the Head Start Program Performance Standards are based. The Head Start Program Performance Standards reflect the range of child development services offered by Head Start program and can be located at the Head Start Bureau’s web site at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/performance/index.htm. Health related standards can be found in the Early Childhood Development and Health Services section under 1304.2.

The Healthy Kid’s site has been compiled to extend resources and information in areas of health that are pertinent to Head Start programs. Included in the information presented are websites of organizations, articles, and other resources. The information provided is intended to address the needs of the whole family including infants and toddlers, pre-K, and K-12. It is also intended to be used in home, child-care, and school settings. NHSA hopes that this information will expand the pool of resources available.

Health

This section includes several areas related to the physical well-being of children to insure that all children can have a healthy start. Head Start focuses on making sure that each child is engaged in Physical Activities to make their bodies strong, provided with good Nutrition by including healthy meals and snacks, and is learning good Oral Health practices. Head Start also seeks to ensure that every child remains physically healthy by requiring up-to-date Immunizations.

Head Start also addresses the medical problems that can be caused and/or triggered by environmental hazards. It is critical to understand issues related to the Environmental Quality of the surroundings of Head Start children to ensure that they are not exposed to harmful substances. Specific concerns of the Head Start programs are Lead Poisoning prevention and Asthma education. The NHSA has partnered with key agencies and organizations to ensure that these issues continue to be addressed on a national level.

Mental Health

As part of this comprehensive nature, Head Start attends to the mental health and the social-emotional well being of children. Head Start programs often join with specialists who can assist with mental health screenings, offer assistance to support the mental health development of children and provide information to families on other related topics such as violence prevention.

Health Resources Links

These resources will provide helpful information in the area of health from federal agencies and other organizations.

• General Health Links includes information from organizations that cover a range of different health issues.
• Government/Public Policy Health Links includes government sites that provide information about a variety of services available as well as general health information.
• National Hunger Organizations includes non-profit organizations that work to end hunger and poverty in the United States and beyond.

Special thanks to the Congressional Hunger Center Fellow Jacquelyn Hansen who, during her fellowship with NHSA in 2003, designed this site. A thank you also to Catherine Giles a Congressional Hunger Fellow in 2002 who also developed some of the information found on this site. You can view more information about the Congressional Hunger Center, their mission, and fellowships at www.hungercenter.org.