Click here to Visit Our Website August 2020

What's in this Newsletter?
COVID-19 Reminders:
        - When to Keep Kids Home
        - Quarantine and Testing
        - Face Coverings for Kids

World Breastfeeding Week: August 1-7, 2020

Featured Child Care In-Service Classes

Take a moment to breathe

It's been six months since the the first known COVID-19 case was identified in Snohomish County. A lot has happened and our community has fought the virus together and as all human beings do, we can get weary. This is especially true for those in caring professions like child care providers and health care providers. We have to take care of our own personal stress of dealing with the pandemic, as well as holding space for the stress of those we care for. Our jobs are stressful enough outside of a pandemic and many times we forget to take care of ourselves. Let's take good care of ourselves so that we are healthy enough to hold space for the stress of those we take care of. Below are links to a stress management class that may be helpful for you at this time. There's a free version with the same quality content put together by our Behavioral Health Specialist for those of you who are unable to pay for it but still want to learn.

Free Stress Management for Child Care Providers Learning Course - Click Here
Stars Credit (In-Service) Stress Management for Child Care Providers Course - Click Here

COVID-19 Reminders

FREE STARS CREDIT COVID-19 CLASS

Click here to earn one in-service hour while keeping updated on COVID-19 requirements and recommendations. The class is updated regularly to reflect the most current guidance. For more information about the class, scroll to the end of this newsletter.

When to Keep Kids Home

We recognize it can be inconvenient for parents to have sick kids stay home from child care. However we need everyone’s help in preventing the spread of germs and illness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children need to be kept home and out of child care with even mild cold symptoms such as a runny nose, mild cough, sneezing, sore throat, etc. This is due to the inability to know if these are symptoms of a cold, the flu virus, or COVID-19. Click here for a family-friendly poster to help communicate this message.

Quarantine and Testing

If you have had close contact with a COVID-19 case, you MUST quarantine for 14 days from the date of your last contact with that person and are encouraged to be tested. If COVID-19 test results come back negative, you MUST still complete your entire 14-day quarantine period due to risk of false negative tests.

Face Coverings for Kids

Cloth face coverings must be worn by children 5 years and older and are highly recommended for children 2-4 years of age to prevent the spread of germs via respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets are spread when talking, singing, coughing, or sneezing and can spread up to 6 feet away from the person. Face coverings protect others around the wearer, in case they are ill and not showing symptoms. Children should have additional cloth face coverings while in child care in case one becomes soiled or moist.

Click here for more information regarding face coverings for children, including ideas to help kids get used to wearing a face covering.

Remember, kids learn by watching and may be more likely to wear a face covering if they see trusted adults doing so. Young children also learn language skills through modeling, listening and watching mouth movements. At this time, it is immensely important that child care providers remind families to be reading with their children, talking to them, and playing word games at home.

World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7.

This year, the theme is focused on:

Supporting Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet

For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, click here.

For additional breastfeeding resources, see links below.

Breastfeeding and COVID-19

To learn more about supporting breastfeeding in your facility, see Chapter 2 of Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program guide here .

Classes are available to everyone. Learning courses can be taken at no cost.
If you wish to obtain a certificate or In-Service Hours/STARS credit, cost is $10 per credit hour (...unless otherwise noted).

Click here for instructions on how to use our online learning portal.

Image of people using online learning portal.

Click here to go to the online learning website.

COVID-19 Class for Child Care Providers in Washington State

(Available for a limited time only)

Child care programs have a key role in slowing the spread of illnesses such as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and protecting susceptible children and staff. Due to closeness of contact between children and staff, preventing the spread of COVID-19 in child care has been challenging.

This COVID-19 In-Service Training has been specially developed for child care providers currently operating child care programs in Washington State during the COVID-19 outbreak. It outlines guidance for child care established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). It also provides many practical ideas for applying the guidelines established by some local public health agencies in the State. All of the local health department links are readily available in the class so you can easily refer to the specific county guidance for child care programs.

Registration Information for the Free COVID-19 Class

Visit the SHD Child Care Health Outreach Program Course link. At the top of the page, select the SignUp link and enter the requested information. Look for the COVID-19 Class in the Health and Illness section of the Course Catalog. Once you successfully complete the class, you will automatically be able to print a Certificate of Completion awarding you with one In-service Training Hour (STARS Credit) and your name will be entered into the MERIT System.

For questions contact:
childcarehealth@snohd.org or 425-252-5415

Preparing for the Flu

Harm from influenza disproportionately affects young children. This class provides both basic and advanced information regarding influenza. In this class, participants will identify the difference between flu and other viruses it may be confused with, learn about how seasonal influenza is different from pandemic influenza, and find new strategies to avoid influenza illness. We’ll cover everything from the virus that causes flu to the global impact of influenza pandemics. Sign up here.

Contact Information

Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Ste. 104,
Everett, WA 98201

Email: childcarehealth@snohd.org

Program Phone:  425.252.5415

Website:  http://www.snohd.org/238/Child-Care-Providers

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The Child Care Health Outreach Program staff are available to consult with you on these and other health, safety, and nutrition topics by phone, by email, or at your child care.

What's in this Newsletter?COVID-19 Reminders: - When to Keep Kids Home - Quarantine and Testing - Face Coverings for KidsWorld Breastfeeding Week: August 1-7, 2020Featured Child Care In-Service Classes