Head Start Health Services Competencies: A Tool to Support Health Managers and Staff
The Head Start Health Services Competencies are a set of 68 competencies. Each describes an attitude, knowledge, or skill important for effective health services.
Health Services Management
As part of Head Start’s comprehensive services, every Head Start program provides services to promote health, behavioral health, and safety for children and families. New and experienced health services staff can use these resources to learn more about health services and the role of health services staff. This topic area also includes professional development resources for health services staff, child care health consultants, and others who support health services across all early care and education settings.
Head Start Health Services Competencies Professional Development Assessment
Read this companion document to the Tool to Support Health Managers and Staff. Program directors, health managers, and health staff can use it to promote successful job performance and support career development.
Weaving Connections: Health Services Advisory Committee
The Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee (HMHSAC) help programs make decisions about health services. Use this kit to help plan, recruit, engage, and evaluate the work of the HMHSAC.
Health Services Management
New and experienced staff will find professional development tools to help keep children safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
Virtual Early Education Center (VEEC)
The Virtual Early Education Center (VEEC) is an online tool for early care and education (ECE) programs, including Head Start programs, and child care. It is designed to have the look and feel of an actual ECE center. Visitors can move from room to room within the VEEC to find information on health and safety practices and useful resources. Use it to explore resources and information regarding Head Start Program Performance Standards and Caring for Our Children (CFOC). Learn more about health-focused ECE and best practices.
Health and Safety Screener
Programs that serve young children are required to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to protect children and keep them healthy and safe. This screener will help to identify where programs need to make changes and build capacity to meet children's needs. It also contains best practices and requirements found in the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Professional Development Resources for Health Services Staff
This section is designed for child care providers and health consultants. These resources can be used to help ensure safe, healthy, and high-quality settings for all children.
HRSA Data Warehouse: Interactive Map Tool
Explore Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) health care programs with the HRSA Data Warehouse. Use maps to select and plot health centers, grants, and other agencies' data as separate data layers.
The Medical Home and Head Start Working Together
Learn about the medical home and why it's important to connect families so their child can receive continuous, accessible medical care.
Health Services to Promote Attendance
Good attendance leads to lifelong learning and positive habits necessary for school and work. When young children are chronically absent from Head Start, Early Head Start, or child care, often they are likely to continue to be chronically absent in elementary school.