Yakima Public Health

The Yakima Health District offers two different nurse consultation services. The INFANT TODDLER PROGRAM is a program for infants, toddlers, their families, child care providers and service providers offering information, mentoring, consultation, training and materials to foster best practices for health and safety in childcare. Focus is on children’s health and well-being, physical, cognitive, behavioral and socio-emotional development.

The PROMOTING FIRST RELATIONSHIPS program is a one-to-one training program for childcare providers focusing on promoting healthy relationships and intervention strategies for managing behaviors. This program uses interactive videotaping for a positive strengths consultation.

Yakima Health District nurses provide support, training, technical assistance and consultation to providers and parents through:

• Staff training (STARS)
• Managing Infectious Disease in Child Care
• Class begins Dec. 17, 2011
• Register by calling Child Care Resource and Referral @ 509-965-7109
• On-site assessment of health and safety practices
• Assistance to develop policies, procedures & maintenance of health records
• On-site health training
• Developmental screenings
• Referrals to community resources
• Access & referrals to special subsidies through the local CSO
• Facilitation of parent/family visits to child care facilities
• Distribution of health education/information materials

Nursing Consultation is required by law. WAC 170.295-4130 states “Facilities caring for four or more infants/children less than 1 year of age. Consultation should include at least one monthly on-site visit by a RN trained or experienced in the care of young children. The nurse is responsible for advising the facility about the operation of the Infant Care Program and about the implementation of the Child Health Program.” WAC 170.295-4130 states “Centers licensed for 13 or more children shall use the services of an advisory Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Registered Nurse to assist in the development, approval and periodic review of the center’s health care plan.”

Look for these qualifications when hiring a nurse consultant:

• Knowledge of pediatric health care and child development
• Knowledge of Public Health Core Functions
• Awareness of local community resources
• Knowledge of local/state childcare licensing regulations
• Ability to meet learning needs at a variety of educational levels

Training for the Department of Health and Healthy Childcare Washington Childcare Nurse Consultant Certification training program.
For nurse consulting services provided by the Yakima Health District, please contact Gerri Miller, RN, BSN at (509) 249-6546.