Health Services

A healthy child is a happy child.

Three registered nurses, health specialists, oversee the Health and Dental needs of all enrolled children.  The health specialists are available for any questions, concerns, or needs about your child’s health plan.  Check the link for the nurse assigned to your child’s classroom:

The health specialists will communicate with parents in a variety of ways:

• to inform parents if a health problem is identified

• to share the results of children's screenings (vision, height, weight, speech, and hearing)

• to provide articles on nutrition, dental health and other topics in the monthly Parent Involvement Press

• to share at parent meetings in the classrooms

• to provide reminders of children's upcoming physicals or shots

• to provide other health information parents request

To find out more information, please click on the links below.

       Health Screenings (Vision, Speech/Language, and Hearing)

       Growth Assessments (Heights and Weights)

       Nutrition

       Dental Services

       Mental Health Services

       Health Updates and Medical Referrals

       Early Head Start Pregnant Mom Information

       Early Head Start Infant and Toddler Information

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Vision: All children are screened for vision within the first 45 days of school.  This is just a screening and not a complete eye exam.  This screening may be repeated if necessary.  If your child is having any difficulty, the nurse will complete a vision referral and send it home.  This is a recommendation that your child needs a complete eye exam by an eye care physician. The Health Specialist’s name and phone number are listed on the referral if you should have any questions.   (Back)

Speech and Language Screening : As part of the screening process, children in the Head Start classrooms will have a speech and language screening within the first 45 days of school.  The screening will look at how the sounds that make up words are formed and the use of words to talk.  If concerns are found, children are referred to the speech therapist at the school for a closer look. For more information, contact us.

Hearing Screenings: Children in Head Start classrooms will have a hearing screening within the first 45 days of school by the Head Start speech technician.  A referral will be made to the school-based speech therapist for a follow-up screening for children who do not pass the first hearing screening.  Children unable to pass the follow-up screening will be referred to their doctor for a medical hearing check-up. For more information, contact us.

Height and Weight: All children’s heights and weights are measured within the first 45 days of school.  This is to monitor their physical growth and development. For those children considered underweight or overweight, the calculation of their Body Mass Index (BMI) is done and reported to the parent. The BMI is a calculation based on a child’s age, sex, height and weight and it indicates whether a child’s weight is appropriate for their height.  Consider the BMI as a guide, since children grow so quickly.  Our goal in using the BMI screening is to inform parents early of their child’s growth and development and to promote good health of the child.  As you may have heard, the Surgeon General says that there is an “Obesity Epidemic” in America .  The research shows that overweight children often end up being overweight adults.  The risk of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease is much greater for overweight adults.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s growth and development, their BMI results, or their nutritional status, please contact the Health Specialist assigned to your child’s class.  (Back)

Nutrition: Your child will receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch during the school day.  All meals served are low in fat, sugar and sodium (salt) and served family style.  Monthly menus are made available and a copy of the menu is posted in your child’s classroom.  Parents are not permitted to bring any food, (home-made or store bought), into the classroom (this includes for birthdays and holiday celebrations).  If your child has any food allergies or requires a medically prescribed diet, restrictions and/or supplements, please contact the Health Specialist assigned to your child’s classroom.  Paperwork from your child’s doctor will be required for these special nutritional needs.  (Back)

Dental Services: Good tooth care can protect your child’s precious smile!  Tooth decay is the most common disease in children in the United States and it can easily be prevented.  By encouraging good tooth-care habits now, you can help your child have healthy teeth for a lifetime.  PARENTS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN HELPING YOUR CHILD MAINTAIN A HEALTHY MOUTH.  (Back)

Children enrolled in Head Start will receive an oral examination and X-rays by a licensed dentist within the first 90 days of their enrollment.  Parents are certainly encouraged to complete the dental exam/cleaning on their own, and need to call the Early Childhood Dental office (332-7140) when completed.

The dentist examines your child’s mouth, and writes out a treatment plan that is specific to your child’s dental needs.  If your child has no cavities, the treatment plan will consist of a cleaning and fluoride application.  If your child has decayed teeth, the treatment plan will list each tooth that needs to be worked on and how the dentist plans to fix each tooth.  Sometimes, children need to be sent to a Pedodontist, (pediatric dental specialist), for extensive dental work and the parent/guardian MUST be present at these appointments.

Baby teeth are very important.  They help your child eat properly, speak more clearly and they save spaces for adult (permanent) teeth.  Make tooth care part of your family’s routine.  The children brush their teeth after meals in the classroom.  We encourage parents to brush with their children before bedtime.  Be a good role model.  Eat healthy foods, floss and brush at least twice a day.  TALK ABOUT DENTAL VISITS IN A POSITIVE WAY .  If you have any questions about your child’s dental health, please call the Early Childhood Learning Dental office at 332-7140.  

Community Dental Resources:

            Project Dental Care- This FREE community dental program is for anyone nine years of age and older.  Call the Health Department at 332-9516 and ask for Project Dental Care.

            Family Health Center- Contact Family Health Centers at 332-0417 and find out the hours of their emergency dental walk-in clinics throughout the county.

            Edison College School of Dental Hygiene- Call 985-8334 to set up an appointment for all ages.  Appointments can take several hours as this is a teaching facility.  There is a small fee for this service, for adults.

             Dr. Tim Verwest - 9371-7 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919, 239-482 2722. Dr. Verwest  accepts Medicaid.

              NCEF Pediatric Dental Center (University of Florida) 7007 Lely Cultural Parkway, Bldg. L, Naples, FL 34113, 239-775-3052. Accepts Medicaid.

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Health Updates and Medical Referrals:

Physical Exam- All children enrolled in the Early Childhood Learning Services need to have current physical examinations.  For children under 2 years of age, physical exams are required at 2, 4,6,9,12,15,18 and 24 months.  For children over 2 years of age, they are required every 12 months.  Please schedule appointments with your child’s medical home (pediatrician). You may receive a notice from your Health Specialist if these are due or late.  It is important that the yellow exam form from the doctor be sent to your child’s teacher.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Health Specialist.

Medical Referrals- In the event that the Health Specialist identifies something about your child that requires further medical attention, you will receive a medical referral form.  The top half of the form states the concern the nurse has identified.  The bottom half of the form is for the medical professional to complete after your child has been examined.  Once completed, the form is to be turned into the teacher. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Specialist listed on the form that was sent to you.

Immunizations: Your child’s immunizations (shots) need to be current. Please schedule those with your child’s pediatrician (medical home) or Health Department. If you receive a letter from the Health Specialist about necessary or overdue shots, you must have them completed and the blue form sent to the teacher.  CHILDREN MAY NOT BE IN SCHOOL WITH AN OUTDATED SHOT RECORD.  For information about the “Shots for Tots” program, where free immunizations are given through the Lee County Health Department, call 332-9601. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Health Specialist. (Back)