Child Care Health Consultation Improves Health and Safety Policies and Practices

Implementing an integrated pest management (IPM) program in child care centers: A qualitative study

“…Similar to other studies, the authors of this study found that working directly with managers facilitated the implementation of an innovative educational intervention program (Alkon et al, 2009;Crowley & Kulikowich, 2009). The manager's capacity to oversee and make decisions provided the leadership needed to implement new IPM practices, or appoint an appropriate person to do so.…”

“…Studies have shown positive changes in health and safety policies (i.e., handwashing practices) in child care centers following general health and safety intervention programs (i.e., child care health consultation in child care centers) (Alkon, Bernzweig, To, Wolff, & Mackie, 2009;Kotch et al, 2007). Qualitative studies of child care health consultation have identified the roles and responsibilities of the child care health consultants who provide the intervention (Alkon, Farrer, & Bernzweig, 2004;Isbell et al, 2013) and the facilitators and barriers to implementing general health consultation in child care (Farrer, Alkon, & To, 2007).…”

Childcare health and health consultation curriculum: Trends and future directions in nursing education

“…The MCHB funds several initiatives, including dissemination of national health and safety standards, a resource center, a training institute for health consultants, and state grants, to promote healthy and safe early care programs. Access to a CCHC is associated with improved health outcomes for children, and nurses who receive formal preparation for the role are more likely to improve the quality of programs and outcomes for children (Alkon et al., 2009; Crowley & Kulikowich, 2009; Ramler et al., 2006). The majority of health consultants have been prepared through dissemination of a train‐the‐trainer curriculum at the NTI for Child Care Health Consultants.…”

“…A growing body of literature documents the evolution of the role of nurse CCHC and the positive impact of consultation on health and safety in childcare programs and on the health status of enrolled children (Alkon, Bernzweig, To, Wolff, & Mackie, 2009; Alkon, Farrer, & Bernzweig, 2004; Crowley, 1988, 2000, 2001; Dellert, Gasalberti, Sternas, Lucarelli, & Hall, 2006; Gaines, Rice, & Carmon, 1993; Ramler, Nakatsukasa‐Ono, Loe, & Harris, 2006). Alkon and colleagues (2009) reported that in a 3‐year experimental study in 111 childcare centers, intervention centers that received county‐level childcare health consultation by nurses had significantly stronger health policies and practices in such areas as hand washing and emergency preparedness. Furthermore, in an analysis of Department of Public Health licensing specialists' unannounced inspections, Crowley and Rosenthal (2009) found that childcare centers that received a nurse‐delivered, comprehensive medication administration training and weekly consultation visit were significantly more compliant with medication administration regulations, such as medication storage, labeling, and use of an approved written order.…”

NAPNAP Position Statement on Supporting Children and Families in Early Care and Education

“…However, children attending these programs also have higher rates of upper respiratory and ear infections and are at increased risk for gastrointestinal illness and injuries compared with children cared for at home (Alkon, To, Wolff, Mackie, & Bernzweig, 2008;Belsky et al, 2007;Bradley, 2003;Stein, 2007). As more children attend ECE programs, in an economy of limited public financing for them, concerns about the quality of care they provide is on the rise (Alkon, Bernzweig, To, Wolff, & Mackie, 2009;Alkon, To, Mackie, Wolff, & Bernzweig, 2010;Spooner & Classen, 2009). Promoting healthy behaviors and active lifestyles in ECE programs to prevent obesity are of particular concern because early childhood is a time for developing gross motor skills and eating habits (Benjamin, Cradock, Walker, Slining, & Gillman, 2008;Kaphingst & Story, 2009;Maher, Li, Carter, & Johnson, 2008).…”