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Update on H1N1 Flu from the CDC

Please refer to the link below for the long awaited CDC guidelines specifically for our Early Learning (Child Care) programs - please share with others and continue to advocate for the usual prevention techniques - Handwashing, Cover the cough, Stay home when ill, etc. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/

There are three different documents...

If you are working in a business environment or have children of school age, there are guidelines at the CDC for those specific groups/areas, also...Use the main H1N1 Flu page and use the search box at the top of the page...or the listing found in the green box on the left side of the home page. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Please feel free to call if you have questions...Shirley Losch may be reached at 239-267-4105 extension 28, Danna Breeden, our RN covering Lee and Collier Counties can be reached at 239-252-6022, and Sue Reese, our RN covering Glades and Hendry Counties can be reached at 863-674-4056 ext 166.

Safety Newsletter

The California Child Care Health Program

October 31, 2007

The California Child Care Health Program has developed hundreds of user-friendly educational resources to help early care and education programs, trainers, Child Care Health Consultants, Child Care Health Advocates and the families they serve stay abreast of best practices. Their publications provide clear guidelines and educational information on the issues that arise most frequently in the field of early care and education.

Listed below are links to a wealth of information:

Canadians Launch Virtual Encyclopedia of Early Childhood Development

October 17, 2007

Canada's Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development launched its Encyclopedia of Early Childhood Development on October 9th. The Centre says its encyclopedia covers a wide range of early development topics and contains input from 270 authors from 11 countries. Each topic is organized with key messages geared for parents and service providers.

For researchers and others wishing to delve more deeply, each topic has a comprehensive folder containing numerous articles and research reports. Serving on the Encyclopedia's editorial board is Richard Tremblay, the Center’s director and a noted researcher on aggression.

The encyclopedia is available at http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/en-ca/home.html

CDC Launches a New Influenza Website for Health Professionals and the Public

September 17, 2007

On September 17, CDC unveiled its new website for seasonal influenza, www.cdc.gov/flu. Designed with a clean, user-friendly format, the site links users to five main categories of information:

basic materials on influenza disease, prevention, and treatment;
materials for health professionals;
materials for specific population groups;
influenza news; and
federal government websites for avian influenza, swine influenza, and pandemic influenza.

To access the new website, go to: www.cdc.gov/flu.

Family Disaster Planning

August 15, 2007

The Family Disaster Planning website, brought to you by the State of Florida, helps to better prepare families for future disasters by helping to create your own personalized Family Disaster Plan. In a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right away, and in some cases it may take 3 or more days for help to arrive. What would you do if you had no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service? Having a plan for your family and their needs will help to ensure their safety and comfort in difficult times.

On the website you are asked to provide information about your home, family and pets. From this information, the website creates your own personalized Family Disaster Plan that you can print out and save for future emergencies. The plan includes recommended amounts of food and water, up to date information about evacuation techniques, and checklists of important steps to take.

At the Family Disaster Planning website you can obtain up to the minute weather information as well as a wealth of other resources concerning all types of emergency situations.

Utilize New Florida Immunization Guidelines

July 27, 2007

The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the revised Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Child Care Facilities, and Family Day Care Homes, effective March 2007 and incorporated by reference in amended Rule 64D-3.046, Florida Administrative Code, which are effective July 15, 2007.

The guidelines are currently being printed and will be available through the Department of Health Distribution Center by late August. In the meantime, you may print and begin using the 2007 version of the Immunization Guidelines located at the Bureau of Immunization website.

In addition to edits and updates, key changes from the 2001 version include:

Effective January 2008:

Children, age 2 to 24 months, entering or attending childcare or family daycare facilities will be required to have documentation of age-appropriate pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Effective school year 2008/2009:

Children entering, attending or transferring to kindergarten through grade 12 in Florida schools will be required to have documentation of a second dose of mumps and rubella in addition to the present requirement of 2 measles.

A second dose of varicella will be required for children entering, attending or transferring to kindergarten.

The 7th grade requirement has been modified to include only Td vaccine (Tdap is acceptable).

ImmunizeFlorida.org - the new and easier to navigate Bureau of Immunization website

July 23, 2007

The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the new and easier to navigate Bureau of Immunization website - ImmunizeFlorida.org. Historically, ImmunizeFlorida.org focused on early childhood vaccination information. The site, ImmunizeFlorida.org, now redirects to our home within the Department of Health (DOH) web site, and features a new look, a new feel, and many more resources. For further information about immunizations, please visit ImmunizeFlorida.org.

CDC Issues Updated Pandemic Flu Guidelines

February 1, 2007

The best protection against pandemic influenza - a vaccine that is well-matched to the virus causing illness - is not likely to be available at the outset of a pandemic. Community strategies that do not involve vaccines or medications (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may serve as a first line of defense to help delay or mitigate the spread of influenza.

Check out the latest community guidelines. Appendix 5 is specific to Child Care Programs.

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