EARLY CHILDHOOD HEALTH CONSULTANT

Century Health Systems contracts with area day care providers, pre-schools and other public and private education programs, as well as Town Recreation Departments, to provide early childhood health consultation. This consultation is provided by an Early Childhood Health Consultant (ECHC).

What is an Early Childhood Health Consultant (ECHC)?

An ECHC is a registered nurse (RN), often a pediatric or public health nurse, who is trained in child care health and safety and works with child care staff and providers to support and encourage quality child care. ECHCs are experienced in or knowledgeable about children’s health issues and the community resources available for staff, children, and parents.

Why is an EHCH Important?

The services provided by an Early Childhood Health Consultant are essential to quality child care and vital to the optimal health, safety and well being of young children. Special programs include:

• Pediatric CPR and First Aid.
• Allergies and Epi-pen use.
• Infection control in preschool programs.
• Medication administration in child care.
• Epilepsy-seizure disorders and care.
• Summer health issues.
• Winter/cold weather care, sniffles and sneezes.
• Playground safety and supervision.
• Infant care program.
• Home safety review for parents.
• Personal safety for preschoolers—SAFE CHILD.
• SIDS/preventing crib death.
• Toy safety.
• Holiday health for families.
• Emergency preparedness for families.
• Immunization update.
• Developmental play.

The Primary Goals of the ECHC are to:

• Promote health and safety practices in child care—Infection Control and Injury Prevention.
• Provide health and safety information through the health consultation process and educational outreach to staff and parents.
• Promote optimal social, emotional, cognitive, physical and mental health for children in out-of-home care.
• Support developmentally appropriate care.
• Facilitate preventive health care.
• Positively effect and improve the quality of child care.

The Primary Responsibility of an ECHC is to provide:

• On-site visits to child care centers and family child care homes (not required by Early Education and Care).
• Telephone consultation and information.
• Assessment and development of each program’s health and safety practices and health policy, mandated by the department of Early Education and Care, the licensing component.
• Coordination and provision of health education programs.
• Assistance with maintenance of children’s health records.
• Referrals and linkages with appropriate community resources and special services.
• Assistance with plans for inclusion of children with special needs.
• Assistance with the annual Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Immunization Survey.
• On-site safety tour and evaluation.

To Contact an Early Childhood Health Consultant (ECHC) please call our office at 508-651-1786