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The Health Service Program of Head Start is organized into four (4) closely interrelated parts: Medical, Dental, Mental Health and Nutrition with all parts keeping in mind the needs of the children including those with disabilities. The child's health includes the joint efforts of the health professionals, Head Start Teachers, Teacher Aides, Health Staff, & Parents.
The general goals of the Health Service area are to:
* Provide complete medical evaluations and appropriate professionals for eligible Head Start children.
* Promote preventive health & dental care, early detection and intervention of problems.
* Link families to an on-going health care system that will ensure continued care for each child after leaving the Head Start Program.
* Establish & maintain individual health records in order to implement preventive & restorative treatment.
* Improve a child's present health by identifying all potential existing health problems.
* Follow-up monitoring child's health status.
* Ensure that each child has a physical examination as part of a complete health evaluation.
* Ensure a child's future by providing preventive health services including immunizations against infectious diseases and health education for children, parents, and staff.
* Another major goal is to improve the health of the community in which the child lives through: (1) Making existing health resources more responsive to the special needs of the low-income families; (2) demonstrating new skills, techniques and patterns of health professionals; and (3) acquiring new knowledge through research.
The goal of the G.O.P.B. Dental Program is to ensure that all children, by the end of the school year, are free of dental diseases. This task is accomplished through dental examinations and treatments and also by promoting effective dental hygiene among children in conjunction with meals.
At G.O.P.B. Head Start, we plan meals to meet our children’s recommended daily nutritional needs. We also provide an environment which will support and promote the use of our children’s meal time as an opportunity for social, emotional and learning development.
On this web site, we will give you helpful nutritional information, safety food tips and health tips, along with healthy food recipes for your whole family. Please feel free to visit this other fabulous health, fitness, and wellness, website, too!
The essential nutrients needed by the body can be divided into six basic groups:
1. Proteins (amino acids) needed to build and repair muscles, glands, bones, and other tissues.
2. Carbohydrates (sugar and starches) are the body’s main source of fuel, some fruits and vegetables contain natural sugars.
3. Fats (are an important nutrient that provides energy); however, it is important to remember that while fats provide energy, when we eat more than we need, fat will be stored as padding on various parts of our bodies.
4. Minerals (many different minerals exist that are necessary for growth and development). There are two types of mineral classifications; major minerals and trace minerals. Usually foods rich in major minerals will also provide adequate amounts of trace. An example of a major mineral is calcium. The calcium we consume is mainly used to build and maintain bones and teeth. Bones and teeth may suffer if calcium or vitamin D is lacking .Sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt and any products made out of these foods. Milk and cheese are especially important foods to be included in a child’s daily diet.
5. Vitamins are considered micronutrients. Micronutrients are small quantities of nutrients that the body needs to function properly. If people eat a variety of foods like dairy products, meat, grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits, then they can obtain all the vitamins needed by the body. Some people have misconceptions that taking extra amounts of vitamins can be good for them. As a result they buy over-the-counter vitamin pills and take them in excess; not knowing too much can be harmful.
6. Water, even though it is often over-looked, is an essential nutrient. As a matter of fact a person can survive for a longer period of time without food than water. It is in every tissue and bone in the body; it carries food materials from one part of the body to another; it is the solvent for all products of digestion and water regulates body temperature by evaporation through the skin and lungs.
Safety food tip: Check your refrigerators and freezers with an appliance thermometer. The refrigerator temperature should be 40 F degrees or lower. The freezer temperature should be zero degrees F or lower.
Here are some helpful tips to help your overall wellness of your mental and physical health:
* Eat nutritious foods
* Get 8 hours of sleep a day
* Exercise regularly
* Avoid alcoholic beverages and cigarettes
* Avoid stress, if possible
* Visit your physician for regular check-ups
* Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salsa
Salsa
4 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped or 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 avocado
Chicken
1/2 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
1/2 small red onion
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 4 to 6 ounces each
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
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G.O.P.B. realizes the importance of mental health issues and how they can impact our staff and the children and parents served by our program. In order to provide high quality and timely services. We employ and contract with licensed mental health professionals. Components of G.O.P.B.'s mental health program include the following:
| * Prevention |
| Responses to Stress |
| Positive Guidance |
| Environment |
| Positive Mental Health Practices in Lesson Plans and Daily Classroom Activities |
| * Education |
| Child Development |
| Environmental Influences |
| Child Rearing Practices |
| Effects of Culture on Mental/Emotional Well-being |
| * Communication |
| Parent Conferences |
| Staff Conferences and Training Activities |
| Appropriate Responses to Children's Behaviors |
| * Screening |
| Each Child Screened for Mental Health/Behavioral Problems |
| * Intervention |
| Parental Participation is Required |
| Licensed Professional Actively Involved |
| Appropriate Services Delivered in a Timely Manner |
| * Referrals |
| Referrals made to appropriate local service providers |
| Least restrictive options are utilized |
| Follow-up performed by program staff |
You can also check out this amazing Health, Nutrition, & Wellness website, too!
