The Child Care Health Consultation (CCHC) Program is a collaborative program between DESE's Office of Childhood and Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs) throughout Missouri. The program provides funding for contracting LPHAs to address health and safety issues in child care, enhance child care health and safety practices, and provide outreach to child care providers — including those that serve child care subsidy children. Missouri’s LPHAs provide CCHC program services to child care providers and the children in their care at little or no cost to child care providers, therefore giving the opportunity for all child care providers to care for children in the safest and healthiest environments possible.
The CCHC Program enhances child care health and safety practices through the Caring for Our Children National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs guidelines, including guidelines for the role of a Child Care Health Consultant, to ensure all children have the ability to thrive in safe and healthy child care environments.
The CCHC Program uses nurses and other professional staff at Missouri’s LPHAs to provide program services. Each LPHA designates a Registered Nurse at their agency to serve as the Primary CCHC Consultant. The Primary CCHC Consultant coordinates the program by working with health educators, professional staff, and local community subject matter experts to build a strong rapport with the child care providers in their area. CCHC Program nurses and trainers work diligently to enhance the knowledge of child care providers, the children in their care, and their families regarding emerging and priority health issues in Missouri. In doing so, they form one of the largest training and resource networks in Missouri.
- Who is eligible for CCHC Program services?
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Child care providers, children in their care, and families of children in child care residing in a county whose LPHA accepts the CCHC contract, or a county whose neighboring county LPHA accepts the CCHC contract on their behalf.
- Which LPHAs accept the CCHC Program contract?
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- Which services are provided under the CCHC Program?
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- Consultations with child care providers regarding health and safety issues at their child care facility. Consultation topics may include disease outbreaks, policy development, implementation of policies and procedures that follow best practice, development of Individualized Health Plans (IHPs), referrals to outside agencies, and external resources, when appropriate.
- Health Issue Trainings for child care providers on a number of health and safety topics for children and adults, including CPR/First Aid certifications and renewals. These health issue trainings are often provided at no cost to the child care provider and assist child care providers to meet annual training requirements and enhance their knowledge of health and safety issues in the child care setting.
- Health Promotions for children in child care and their families that encourage safe and healthy behaviors and are delivered with fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate presentations and materials.
- The CCHC Program encourages participation of families of children in child care in all program services.
- Which health and safety topics do CCHC Program services address?
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Categories include, but are not limited to:
Abuse and Neglect
Behavioral and Mental Health
Child Care Basics
Communicable Disease
CPR and First Aid
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning
Growth and Development
Hygiene and Sanitation
Immunizations
Medication Administration
Nutrition and Physical Activity
Oral Health
Physical Health
Public Health
Safe Sleep
Safety and Injury Prevention
Social Determinants of Health
Special Health Care Needs
Staff Wellness
- CCHC Program Contact Information
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Statewide Coordinator:
Tara Caldwell, BSN, RN
Program Specialist
Phone: 573.526.9006
Support Staff:
Phone: 573-751-6793
Physical Office Location:
Jefferson State Office Building
205 Jefferson St., 1st Floor
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Mailing Address:
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Childhood
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102