PEDIATRICIAN Spring 2003 - AAP-CA

The childcare health advocate is usually
a teacher at a childcare program. The health
advocate is the on-site liaison who collaborates
with the childcare health consultant to
promote health and safety in the childcare
environment.
How can pediatricians link with their
local childcare health consultant?
Pediatricians and childcare health consultants
are working toward the same aim: to
promote children’s health and prevent disease
and injury. The following case studies illustrate
successful collaborations between physicians
and childcare health consultants:
In Kern County, childcare health consultants
work with local physicians to develop
individual care plans for children in childcare
with special health care needs (e.g., asthma,
diabetes, and orthopedic conditions). The care
plans instruct childcare providers on the child’s
health conditions; routine care measures,
medications and equipment; how to prevent
complications; and emergency procedures.
The childcare health consultants also help
ensure that caregivers receive the necessary
medications, equipment, and training to implement
the care plans. Since asthma is one of the
most common special health needs, childcare
health consultants have developed trainings
for local childcare providers on how to give
inhaled medications to children with asthma.
This collaboration has helped childcare providers,
parents and physicians feel more confident
that children with special health care needs are
cared for safely in childcare programs.
In Inyo County, childcare health consultants
and advocates help children prepare for
their preschool and kindergarten well-child
medical visits by setting up a practice “visitto-the-doctor.”
Local pediatricians loaned
medical equipment to the staff of the Childcare
Health Linkages Project. The childcare health
consultant and advocates set up a mini-clinic
and checked children’s blood pressures and
reflexes; looked in their eyes, ears, and throats;
listened to their hearts and lungs; and gave the
children a chance to receive a pretend shot and
a fun bandage. Parents and pediatricians stated
that the children were more prepared for their
medical visit, which made it a better experience
for everyone involved.
In other counties, pediatricians have
served as consultants to local childcare health
consultants and childcare providers on children’s
health, development and safety. Pediatricians
have also provided workshops for
childcare program staff, parents and children
on a variety of health topics; participated in
community-based health promotion and injury
prevention programs in childcare; and served
on childcare program boards of directors and
health advisory boards.
Consider exploring new avenues for
promoting children’s development, health and
safety in your community by collaborating
with your local childcare programs. For more
information, contact:
Robin Calo, RN, PNP, Coordinator
California Childcare Linkages Project
University of California San Francisco
California Childcare Health Program
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 839-1195
www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org
NOTES
1. U.S. Department of Education, National
Center for Education Statistics, 1995.
2. U.S. Department of Education, National
Center for Education Statistics, 1999.
3. U.S. Department of Education, National
Center for Education Statistics, Data from
the 1995 National Household Education
Survey, 2000.
4. U.S. Department of Education, National
Center for Education Statistics, Digest of
Education Statistics, 2002.
5. Urban Institute, 1997 National Survey of
Families, 2000.
Eve Black Honored
On February 8, 2003, at the Annual Joint District Meeting, Eve Black was honored for her
nearly 50 years of hard work and dedication to the children and pediatricians of California. In
addition to a plaque from the California District American Academy of Pediatrics, which was
presented by Burt Willis, M.D., District Chair, Eve received a check for $1,000 to the Gene
Black Summer Career Program. The summer program, which introduces high school juniors
and seniors to careers in the health professions, is named in honor of her husband, Gene Black.
It is administered by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society.
Eve’s work with Chapter 2 and with LAPS has been comprehensive and wide-ranging. As
Chapter Administrator for Chapter 2 and Executive Secretary for LAPS, Eve Black continues in
her role as champion of the children of California and the physicians who look after them.
Burt Willis presents Eve Black with a plaque honoring her many years of service.
CALIFORNIA PEDIATRICIAN — SPRING 2003/ 23