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Salam T, Leifer S, Simpson V, DeFrank S, Carothers B, Lifshitz E, Ibrahim S. Implementation of a State-Level Consortium in New Jersey: Improving Infectious Disease Prevention and Mitigation in Childcare and Educational Settings. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2023; 29:902-905. [PMID: 37499096 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for effective infectious disease prevention and mitigation efforts within childcare and educational settings, supported by local health departments and state agencies. During the pandemic, rapidly evolving guidance, increased surveillance burden, and the vastly increased volume of inquiries from communities and local health departments led to the development of a state-level childcare and educational consortium in New Jersey. The consortium works with state-level partners to support infectious disease prevention and mitigation efforts of educational entities and local health departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Salam
- New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service, Trenton, New Jersey
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Schultz CM, Johnson RA. Nurse consultant to day/child care centers. J SPEC PEDIATR NURS 2022; 27:e12392. [PMID: 35869947 DOI: 10.1111/jspn.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 23.2 million children in the United States attend day care; however, many of these children often lack access to health care. Given the potential for advanced practice nurses to address this gap in health care, the authors sought to gain a better understanding of healthcare consulting provided by nurses to day/child care centers. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the extent, range, and nature of evidence regarding the role of nurse consultants in day and childcare settings. DESIGN AND METHODS A scoping review was conducted in CINAHL and PubMed, to report and summarize relevant literature published before 2020. Search terms included day or child care, nurse consultants, healthcare consultants, and day or child care health consultants. RESULTS The search produced 92 publications; 21 publications met the inclusion criteria and are included in the review. After independently reading the publications, the authors identified and agreed upon seven central themes. Themes included an analysis of the consulting process, description of the nurse consulting role in individual and large day and childcare settings, director's perceptions of health consultants, impact of nurse consultants, education and training, barriers to the healthcare consultant role, and political advocacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Advanced nurse practitioner, particularly pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), possess the skill set in acute and chronic conditions, as well as health maintenance and promotion that can be translated and used in the role of the nurse consultant to day and child care centers. Having PNPs in this role may help to address primary healthcare needs of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste M Schultz
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robin A Johnson
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Johnston R, DelConte BA, Ungvary L, Fiene R, Aronson SS. Child Care Health Consultation Improves Infant and Toddler Care. J Pediatr Health Care 2017; 31:684-694. [PMID: 28801165 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many families enroll their infants and toddlers in early education and child care programs. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics recruited 32 child care centers that care for infants and toddlers to be linked with a child care health consultant (CCHC). METHOD Project staff assigned the centers alternately to an immediate intervention or a 1-year delayed intervention (contrast) group. At entry into the project, and then 1 and 2 years later, an evaluator assessed center compliance with 13 standards for infants and toddler care selected from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards (3rd ed.). Project staff linked the Immediate Intervention centers with a CCHC in Year 1. In Year 2, in a crossover comparison, project staff linked Contrast centers with a CCHC. RESULTS Working with a CCHC effectively improved compliance with some selected health and safety standards.
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Stephens M, Hazard K, Moser D, Cox D, Rose R, Alkon A. An Integrated Pest Management Intervention Improves Knowledge, Pest Control, and Practices in Family Child Care Homes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14111299. [PMID: 29072618 PMCID: PMC5707938 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14111299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
To reduce young children’s exposure to pesticides when attending family child care homes (FCCHs), we developed an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention for FCCH directors. First, we developed IPM educational materials and resources to provide the foundation for an IPM educational intervention for FCCHs. Next, we conducted and evaluated a six-month nurse child care health consultant (CCHC)-led education and consultation IPM intervention to increase IPM knowledge, IPM practices, IPM policies, and decrease the presence or evidence of pests. The pilot intervention study was conducted by three CCHCs in 20 FCCHs in three counties in California. Pre- and post-intervention measures were completed by the FCCH directors and observation measures were completed by the CCHCs. Results indicated significant increases in IPM knowledge, (t-statistic (degrees of freedom), (t(df) = 2.55(10), p < 0.05), increases in IPM practices (t(df) = −6.47(17), p < 0.05), and a 90% reduction in the prevalence of pests. There were no significant differences in changes in IPM practices based on director education, FCCH county, or IPM intervention intensity or duration. A nurse-led IPM education and consultation intervention can reduce exposures of young children attending family child care homes to harmful chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Stephens
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Kimberly Hazard
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Debra Moser
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Dana Cox
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Roberta Rose
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Donoghue EA, Lieser D, DelConte B, Donoghue E, Earls M, Glassy D, Mendelsohn A, McFadden T, Scholer S, Takagishi J, Vanderbilt D, Williams PG. Quality Early Education and Child Care From Birth to Kindergarten. Pediatrics 2017; 140:peds.2017-1488. [PMID: 28771418 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
High-quality early education and child care for young children improves physical and cognitive outcomes for the children and can result in enhanced school readiness. Preschool education can be viewed as an investment (especially for at-risk children), and studies show a positive return on that investment. Barriers to high-quality early childhood education include inadequate funding and staff education as well as variable regulation and enforcement. Steps that have been taken to improve the quality of early education and child care include creating multidisciplinary, evidence-based child care practice standards; establishing state quality rating and improvement systems; improving federal and state regulations; providing child care health consultation; as well as initiating other innovative partnerships. Pediatricians have a role in promoting quality early education and child care for all children not only in the medical home but also at the community, state, and national levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dina Lieser
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Beth DelConte
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Elaine Donoghue
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Marian Earls
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Danette Glassy
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Alan Mendelsohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Terri McFadden
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Seth Scholer
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jennifer Takagishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Douglas Vanderbilt
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - P. Gail Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
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Alkon A, Nouredini S, Swartz A, Sutherland AM, Stephens M, Davidson NA, Rose R. Integrated Pest Management Intervention in Child Care Centers Improves Knowledge, Pest Control, and Practices. J Pediatr Health Care 2016; 30:e27-e41. [PMID: 27553118 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To reduce young children's exposure to pests and pesticides, an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention was provided for child care center staff. METHODS The 7-month IPM education and consultation intervention was conducted by trained nurse child care health consultants in 44 child care centers in California. IPM knowledge surveys were completed by child care staff, objective IPM assessments were completed by research assistants pre- and postintervention, and activity logs were completed by the nurses. RESULTS There were significant increases in IPM knowledge for the child care staff who attended workshops. There were reductions in the prevalence of pests and increases in IPM practices at the postintervention compared with the preintervention time point. The nurses consulted an average of 5.4 hours per center. DISCUSSION A nurse-led IPM intervention in child care centers can reduce exposure to harmful substances for young children attending child care centers.
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Child care health consultation improves health and safety policies and practices. Acad Pediatr 2009; 9:366-70. [PMID: 19640823 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2009.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2008] [Revised: 05/10/2009] [Accepted: 05/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of county-level child care health consultation intervention programs on child care centers' health and safety policies and practices. METHODS A 3-year experimental study was conducted in 5 California counties and 111 licensed child care centers (73 intervention, 38 comparison) participated at the baseline and postintervention times. Trained research assistants conducted objective observations with a Policies Checklist and Health and Safety Checklist, which were composed of key national health and safety standards. RESULTS At baseline, both groups were not significantly different on the Policies Checklist and the Health and Safety Checklist. At the post-intervention time, intervention centers had significantly more and higher-quality written health and safety policies on 9 of the 10 policies rated (medication administration, care of mildly ill children, exclusion of ill children, cleaning and sanitizing, handwashing, daily health checks, inclusion of children with special needs, emergency preparedness, staff health) than comparison centers. At the postintervention time, intervention centers improved their health and safety practices in the areas of emergency preparedness and handwashing, controlling for consultation model, time in study, and director turnover. Both groups improved their indoor and outdoor facilities and overall Health and Safety Checklist means. CONCLUSIONS Child care health consultation programs can improve the written health and safety policies and may improve practices in child care centers.
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