Head Start Health

Physical Exam: Must be on or after 6/1

A physical exam is necessary to determine your child’s overall health and well-being. It will also aid you in ensuring your child is on-track with all of the events to keep him/her healthy.

Immunizations: Must be up-to-date for age

Immunizations are important because they keep your child safe from diseases and protect others you care about.

Dental Exam/ Dental Follow up: Current

Your child’s primary teeth (baby teeth) will affect his/her adult teeth. A dental exam will help assess if your child needs any treatment or special care.  Head Start also offers dental clinics during the school year (in limited areas).  If you would like your child to participate in the school dental clinic, please call your Family & Community Service Worker.

Hemoglobin: Must be on or after 6/1

A hemoglobin test will assess if your child’s blood has enough iron. Healthy iron levels help oxygen travel in the body. Low iron levels can make it hard for a child to focus in school.

Blood lead test: Must be on or after 6/1

A blood test is the only way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead. Exposure to lead may cause brain damage.

Child and Adult Care Food Program Form (CACFP) prior to the first day of class

A CACFP form needs to be completed if your child has a food allergy.  This form must be completed by your child’s Provider in order for us to keep your child safe and prevent an allergic reaction.  Please notify your Family & Community Service Worker and they will give you the CACFP form.

Please call today and make your child’s appointment(s), remind your provider that your child attends Head Start.  Please ensure that these health needs are completed at the appropriate time.

Well Child Exam:

A well child exam is necessary to determine your child’s overall health and well-being. It will also aid you in ensuring your child is on-track with all of the events to keep him/her healthy. Well Child Visits should be completed for your child's first year at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months; and for your child's second year at 15 months and 18 months. Ongoing health care for your child should be completed at 2 years and 3 years.

Immunizations: Must be up-to-date for age

Immunizations are important because they keep your child safe from diseases and protect others you care about.

• Birth: Hep B
• 2 months: Hep B, DTap, PCV, Hib, Polio, RV
• 4 months: DTap, PCV, Hib, Polio, RV
• 6 months: Hep B, DTap, PCV, Hib, polio, RV
• 12 months: MMR, Varicella, PCV, Hep A
• 15-18 months: DTap, Hib

Dental Exam/ Dental Follow up: Recommend at 12 months

Your child’s primary teeth (baby teeth) will affect his/her adult teeth. A dental exam will help assess if your child needs any treatment or special care.  Head Start also offers dental clinics during the school year (in limited areas).  If you would like your child to participate in the school dental clinic, please call your Family & Community Service Worker.

Hemoglobin: Must be done at 12 months and 24 months, and then yearly

A hemoglobin test will assess if your child’s blood has enough iron. Healthy iron levels help oxygen travel in the body. Low iron levels can make it hard for a child to focus in school.

Blood lead test: Must be done at 12 months and 24 months

A blood test is the only way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead. Exposure to lead may cause brain damage.

Child and Adult Care Food Program Form (CACFP) prior to the first day of class: For Center Based children ONLY

A CACFP form needs to be completed if your child has a food allergy.  This form must be completed by your child’s Provider in order for us to keep your child safe and prevent an allergic reaction.  Please notify your Family & Community Service Worker and they will give you the CACFP form.

Please call today and make your child’s appointment(s), remind your provider that your child attends Early Head Start.  Please ensure that these health needs are completed at the appropriate time.

All prenatal notes, including blood pressure

Pregnant women should have a prenatal check, blood pressure and hemoglobin as directed by the OBGYN provider. The pregnant woman is responsible for obtaining needed health documents at the OBGYN visit.

Hemoglobin with result

Current dental exam and completion of follow-up work

Pregnant women should receive a dental exam and follow-up (if needed) as soon as enrolled.

Postnatal exam

Pregnant women should have a postnatal check as directed by their OBGYN, which is approximately 6 weeks postpartum. The pregnant woman is responsible for obtaining the needed health document at her OBGYN visit.