Kansas Nurses Trained As Child Care Health Consultants
The Bureau of Family Health, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), concluded a four month training project in May 2009 to expand the role of professional registered nurses practicing in public health and school settings as child care health consultants.  Thirteen nurses, representing all regions of Kansas, were awarded certificates as Kansas Child Care Health Consultants (KCCHC). The new graduates are currently involved in a one-year evaluation research study conducted by a scholar from the Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute (KPHLI). The study will measure outcomes related to how the nurses will implement their training and their role as child care health consultants in their community.

This intensive educational process was facilitated by Brenda Nickel, RN, BSN, Child and School Nurse Consultant, using the child care health consultation curriculum from the National Training Institute (NTI), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This process prepared the nurses to work collaboratively with professionals in early childhood and child care settings, as well as community partners who strive to promote healthy and safe child care, empowering families and linking providers and families to resources in their community.

Child care providers need ready access to expert advice from a health care professional in development of policies and health/safety guidelines, individualized health care plans for children with special health needs while in child care, and information, training and resources to assure quality child care. The Kansas CCHC curriculum included the following topics:
1.   National health and safety standards for out-of-home care
2.   Emergency preparedness
3.   Child care licensing requirements and day-to-day operations
4.   Disease reporting requirements
5.   Immunizations for children and child care providers
6.   Injury prevention for children
7.   Staff health, including occupational health risks for child care providers
8.   Oral health for children
9.   Nutrition and physical activity for children
10. Inclusion of children with special health needs in child care
11.  Recognition and reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect
12. Community health and mental health resources
13. Advise on policy development and guidelines for care

In addition, the training included an observation and practicum in a child care setting using environmental rating scales, consultation with the child care center staff, and a Capstone project to address an identified issue or need in the child care setting.

The Bureau of Child Care and Licensing at KDHE, estimates that approximately 200,000 infant, toddler, preschool, and school age children attend child care each year. At the end of FY 2007, 10,773 child care facilities/homes and maternity centers were licensed or registered in Kansas with a capacity to serve over 144,000 children at any one time (CCLR, 2008).

For more information on CCHC, or to find out about availability of a CCHC in your area, contact Brenda Nickel at KDHE.

New Websites Launched
www.kaimh.org
The Kansas Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (KAIMH) has launched a new website – www.kaimh.org. KAIMH’s new website is a great place to get information and resources about mental health and social-emotional development of young children. You will also find detailed information about the Kansas Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E®), a new system in Kansas to document the culturally sensitive, relationship-based, infant mental health learning and work experiences of early childhood professionals.

www.ksfatherhood.org
The Kansas Fatherhood Coalition is a statewide network of agencies, organizations, and individuals working together to promote healthy father involvement in the lives of children. The Coalition has launched a new website, www.ksfatherhood.org, to be a hub of information on fatherhood and father involvement in Kansas. If you’re interested in more information or want to be involved in the Coalition, contact Andy Hutchinson.  

Tips & Tools

• Maybe Baby: A short course on becoming a father is a new, free online course from Kansas State Cooperative Extension Service and Dr. Charles Smith. The course is designed for:
• Young men with committed partners who are trying to decide whether to become fathers;
• Young men who are first-time fathers;
• Young men who are sexually active and would like to know what they might be facing should they become fathers; and,
• Upper class high school students in a course on parenting.

Maybe Baby is part of Dr. Smith’s K-State Fathers Matter five year plan. He is active in the Kansas Fatherhood Coalition, and welcomes your questions and comments.

• The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) has published a new resource for families entitled Making the Most of Playtime, which offers tips and strategies for families to consider when playing with their infant or toddler. It is part of the online CSEFEL Family Tools Collection.

Upcoming Events, Conferences & Training Opportunities in Kansas

• Save the Date! The 2009 Parent Leadership Conference will be held October 2-3, 2009 in Topeka, KS. Registration will be available in early August on the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center’s website.
• The next KECCS Stakeholder Meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2009, at the Courtyard Marriott in Salina, KS. Lunch will be provided; include any special dietary requirements in your RSVP. RSVP to Dyogga Adegbore by October 1. You can contact the Courtyard directly at 785-309-1300 to reserve a sleeping room the night before the meeting, Thursday, October 15th at the special rate of $94 under the Kansas Children’s Cabinet block of rooms. 
• Save the Date! The 33rd Annual Governor’s Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is November 4-6, 2009, at the Capitol Plaza in Topeka, KS. 

Do you have an event, conference or training coming up that would benefit other KECCS partners? Let us know, and we will promote it on the KECCS website and in the newsletter, the KECCS Update. Send information to keccs@ku.edu or contact Rebecca Gillam at (785) 864-7123.