CCHP Partnership

The health professionals of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Child Care Health Program (CCHP) have created this manual of resources and sample policies and procedures for Childcare Centers, Family Child Care Homes, and Family Resource Centers. This manual includes requirements and best practices for health and safety.

The goal of the CCHP program is to support childcare centers in providing the best quality childcare and ensuring that children, families, and staff remain healthy and safe. The following health professionals will be working together with you to support this goal.

Public Health Nurse Consultant

Public Health Nurse (PHN) Consultants will provide ongoing consultation to the childcare center.  The PHN may visit the center and is available by email or by phone. They may assist in the development of policies and procedures concerning health, disaster preparedness, safety, and nutrition. They may provide training and resources for staff and families.

The PHN will coordinate all the health screenings, provide vision screening for children ages 3-5, and case management/linkages to services for children who did not pass the vision and/or dental screenings. The PHN may assist with reviewing children’s medical files to ensure adequacy of vaccinations and appropriate care plans for chronic health conditions. The PHN may also conduct a facility health and safety assessment to provide recommendations for improvement, if desired.

Registered Dental Hygienist

The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) provides dental screenings for children ages 0-5, dental circle times with children, midday toothbrushing staff trainings, oral health consultation, and other oral health interventions for children, staff, and families.

Certified School Audiometrist

The Audiometrist provides hearing screenings for children ages 3-5, resources and linkages to audiological services, and case management for children who did not pass the hearing screening.

Health Workers

Health Workers work with assigned childcare centers in providing height, weight screening (BMI) percentile, and non-invasive carotenoid screening with a Veggie Meter device. In addition to nutrition screening, staff will provide parents a BMI nutrition report with fruits and veggie intake after each screening. Staff will also provide educational groups through nutritional and mindfulness circle time. Staff may need to assist in CCHP dental, hearing, and vision screenings, including screening follow-ups and promoting Healthy Apple program. Staff will provide Spanish and Cantonese language services for monolingual families.

Health Program Coordinator

The CCHP Health Program Coordinator supports centers to develop policies and procedures regarding nutrition, physical activity, gardening, and healthy lifestyle for children. They encourage centers to participate in the Healthy Apple Program and can provide technical assistance in completing the Healthy Apple assessments and developing action plans, if desired.