Date Issued: 2023-09-07
Applications due by Sept. 15, 2023
PA NAP SACC is seeking licensed child care providers for Pennsylvania Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (PA NAPSACC) Wellness Grant Opportunity.
This grant provides an opportunity to engage in a continuous quality improvement process focused on obesity prevention practices and policies within an early care and education setting. The program utilizes Go NAPSACC, an on-line, evidence-based tool, to guide self-assessment, action planning, implementation, policy development, re-self-assessment and reflection. The process empowers program leadership and includes individualized technical assistance to increase knowledge and improve quality of practice and policy.
Programs will also be linked with a Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) at no cost to the site. The CCHC will review current nutrition and physical activity practices and policies, assist with developing sustainable policies, and offer guidance for continuous quality improvement.
Date issued: 2023-09-07
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Announcement ELRC 23-04: 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards, Program Manual, and Accompanying Resources. This Announcement shares information on the 2023 updated Keystone STARS Performance Standards, Program Manual, and Accompanying Resources. On May 16, 2022, the most recent version of the Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual were released and became effective July 1, 2022. Since that time, OCDEL has received feedback from the field related to professional development in Keystone STARS Staff Qualification (SQ) indicators. OCDEL examined the feedback and used it to make edits to a limited number of quality indicators that will become effective on October 1, 2023. Additionally, the 2023 Keystone STARS Program Manual features updated and additional information and resources for 2023. This announcement becomes effective October 1, 2023, and will replace in its entirety ELRC Announcement 22 #04 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual and all accompanying documents. For complete information, please see the Announcement ELRC 23-04: 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards, Program Manual, and Accompanying Resources. |
Date Issued: 08/28/2023
Complete our new Fire Safety in the ECE Program!
This training meets the annual DHA Fire Safety Training requirement by covering fire safety and prevention in a child care facility.
More: https://ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/professional-development-training/self-learning-modules/item/200-fire-safety-self-learning-module-3-hours.html
Date Issued: 08/03/2023
Newly released announcements describe the fire safety requirements for DHS-certified in-home programs, commercial-based providers, and school-age programs not located in a school building. Choose your provider type below for the full announcement and details.
Date issued: 02/09/23
The CDC issued the 2023 Immunization Schedule for children Birth-6 years. Be sure to check out the CDC site for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child-easyread.html
Date issued: 01/13/22
There has been a second recall of two baby sleepers due to additional infant deaths. Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleepers and the Kids2 Rocking Sleepers. Fisher-Price has urged their consumers to stop using the sleeper immediately. The first recall came in April 2019. The U.S. Consumer Product stresses the critical urgency to stop the use of these pieces of infant equipment.
The Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers were sold nationwide at stores including Walmart, Target and online at Amazon from September 2009 through April 2019 for between $40 and $149.
If you have one of the recalled products, contact Fisher-Price for a refund or voucher. You can do so online at Rock 'n Play recall or www.mattel.com and click on “Recall & Safety,” or by calling toll-free at 866-812-6518 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
The Kids2 Rocking Sleepers were sold at Walmart, Target and Toys “R” Us and online from March 2012 through April 2019. Their price was between $40 and $80.
Contact Kids2 for a refund. Call toll-free at 866-869-7954 from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit Rocking Sleeper recall or www.kids2.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
It is illegal to sell or distribute the recalled sleepers.
SUID, which includes Sudden Infant Syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy. Sleep is a big challenge for families with infants, but following safe sleep recommendations can prevent many SUID fatalities.
The rate of sleep-related infant death declined significantly in the 1990s after the AAP and others recommended that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, but rates have since plateaued, and SIDS remains the leading cause of postneonatal mortality. Black and Native American/Alaska Native infants die at rates more than double that of white babies. Pediatricians should support all families in implementing recommendations that reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death:
Use a firm, flat surface; a firm surface means that it should not indent when your baby sleeps on it.
Place your baby in a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that meets the safety standards on Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Put your baby on their back for all naps and night sleep.
Never sleep with your baby.
Feed your baby breastmilk -
Evidence shows that human milk reduces the risk of SIDS. The longer you give your baby breast milk, the more protection it gives.
Try giving your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime
This helps reduce the risk of SIDS, even if the pacifier falls out after your baby is asleep. But keep in mind:
Date issued: 12/14/22
Nearly everyone, including babies and young kids, can stay healthy while protecting their family and others from COVID. The original COVID vaccine and updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for kids age 6 months and older. Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against COVID.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that all eligible kids and teens get the COVID vaccine.
You or your child may have questions about COVID prevention. Your pediatrician is here to help. Here's what you need to know.
First your baby or young child will receive two doses of the original vaccine. Then, they will get a third dose of an updated vaccine. Receiving these vaccines helps your child's body develop immunity to protect them from serious illness. The updated COVID vaccine dose boosts immunity to the original virus and recent variants.
COVID vaccines made by two manufacturers (Moderna and Pfizer- BioNTech) are authorized for babies and young children. The AAP does not recommend one vaccine product over another. Children age 6 months through 4 years will receive the vaccine from the same manufacturer for all doses
(If they received three doses of the original vaccine already (Pfizer), a fourth dose of the vaccine is not recommended for kids age 6 months through 4 years at this time.)
Children will have highest degree of protection two weeks after they get the last recommended dose.
If your child is not up to date on other vaccinations, ask to receive them with their COVID vaccine at the same visit. Immunizations help your child stay healthy, so their immune system is ready to respond to diseases like COVID, measles, polio, whooping cough and the flu.
It is always best to begin with your child's pediatrician. Pediatricians are a trusted source, and they know your child best.
If your child's pediatrician does not have the COVID vaccine, they can help you sort through options. Depending on your child's age, the vaccine may be available through public health agencies, many clinic settings and pharmacies.
For help accessing COVID vaccines, text your Zip code to 438829, visit https://www.vaccines.gov, call 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
Most parents are familiar with minor side effects as their child's immune system learns to make antibodies against a disease. Side effects may include things like soreness and redness where the shot goes in. Some babies and children don't feel well later in the day of the shot or on the next day. A small number of children develop a fever—and very few get high fever. Usually, it lasts only a day or two while their immunity is building up.
If your child had a COVID infection, they should still receive a COVID vaccination according to CDC guidelines. It is possible to be infected again with the virus. Vaccines help protect your child by providing extra protection from COVID, even after they have had a COVID infection. People who already had COVID and do not get vaccinated after they recover are more likely to get COVID again than those who get vaccinated after they recover.
Just like the rest of us, babies and young kids deserve to get the same immune-boosting benefits against COVID. Plus, they are helping to keep others healthy! For example, infants under age 6 months are too young to get the vaccine. Between January 2020 and October 2022, there were 265 babies under age 6 months who died of COVID. And that is why it is very important for pregnant and breastfeeding people—and all other people who are around babies—to protect the baby by getting vaccinated.
Date Issued: 07/12/2023
Smoke from Canadian wildfires recently polluted the air, causing alerts for unhealthy air quality (code red) across PA!
Find out all about the Air Quality Index at airnow.gov and find out the AQI for your area by typing in your zip code.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, prolonged exposure to poor-quality air can cause respiratory problems for everyone. Babies and young children are groups that are considered at high risk. More information about ozone exposure and protective measures can be read here, and information about asthma can be found at healthychildren.org.
Watch this brief video from the asthma and allergy network about an asthma action plan; this plan can help ECE providers know how to respond to a child with asthma symptoms.
Date issued: 02/09/23
Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under the Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11th, 2023. The response by HHS to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remains a public health priority. The transition away from the emergency phase can begin. For more information, read this informative fact sheet regarding the public health emergency transition roadmap for COVID-19.
Date issued: 01/12/23
Effective January 1, 2023 a new surveillance case definition for multsystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was implemented for reproting cases of MIS-C.
MIS-C is a rare but severe complication in children and young adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19.
The new case definition criteria can be viewed at Information for Healthcare Providers about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) CDC.
1. No required duration of subjective or measured fever.
2. A requirement of C-reactive protein greater than 3.0mg/dl to indicate systematic inflammation.
3. Adjustments to criteria of organ system involvement to include addition of shock as a separate category and elimination of respiratory, neurologic and renal criteria.
4. A new requirement on timing of a positive SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing within 60 days of MIS-C illness.
Healthcare providers must report suspected cases of MIS-C by faxing the 2023 case report form to 717-772-6975 or to your local health department or by securely emailing the form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Click HERE for the CASE REPORT FORM. There is addtional case report guidance that can be referenced when completing the form.
Date issued: 11/3/2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents and caregivers do not use infant head shaping pillows intended to change an infant’s head shape or symmetry or claim to prevent or treat any medical condition. The FDA is not aware of any demonstrated benefit with the use of infant head shaping pillows for any medical purpose. The use of head shaping pillows can create an unsafe sleep environment for infants and may contribute to the risk of suffocation and death.
Infant head shaping pillows are not FDA-approved. The safety and effectiveness of these products have not been established for the prevention or treatment of flat head syndromeExternal Link Disclaimer (also known as positional plagiocephalyExternal Link Disclaimer or deformational plagiocephalyExternal Link Disclaimer), or the more serious condition where the developing infant’s skull bones join together too early (known as craniosynostosis).
Infant head shaping pillows are typically small pillows, with an indent or hole in the center designed to cradle the back of an infant’s head while the infant lays face up, flat on its back. Sometimes these pillows do not have an indent or hole in the center and are rectangular shaped. These medical devices are marketed with claims to improve an infant’s head shape and symmetry and claim to prevent or treat flat head syndrome or other medical conditions. However, the safety and effectiveness of the use of these medical devices has not been demonstrated.
The FDA is informing parents, caregivers, and health care providers of the risks associated with use of infant head shaping pillows. The FDA is working with stakeholders to increase awareness of the issue.
Recently, the FDA became aware of companies marketing infant head shaping pillows with claims for the prevention and treatment of flat head syndrome without FDA clearance or approval. The FDA has communicated our concerns about these promotional materials to these companies and will continue to monitor promotional materials and claims for these medical devices.
The FDA will keep the public informed if significant new information becomes available.
If you experience adverse events associated with using an infant head shaping pillow, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. Health care personnel employed by facilities that are subject to FDA's user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities.
Date Issued: 10/28/2022
See full health advisory here.
Summary:
Date Issued: 12/20/2021
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States - recent changes (updated 9-2-22)
Update posting 9-13-22.
Date Issued: 12/20/2021
(CDC) Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning updated 10-5-22:
Date Issued: 09/07/2021 - Revised 09/13/2022 Review the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)'s suggestions COVID-19 Best Practices for Early Childhood Education (ECE) |