Description

The Child Care Consultations program's purpose is to help ensure and promote the health and safety of children in child care.  A public health nurse works with child care providers to assure that the providers have the most current and relevant information needed to provide the best child care.  Child care providers may request phone or on-site support and information from a public health nurse.

The service is free to child care providers when it is a one-time consultation visit  to solve a specific problem.  Child care centers that are licensed for four or more infants are required to have a nurse consultant who makes monthly visits.  For a fee, the child care centers may contract with Cowlitz County Health Department for this service.

Related Health Department Web Links

• Children with Special Health Care Needs

• Children's Oral Health

• Early Intervention

• Health Education

• Immunizations

• Work First Referrals

Related Outside Websites

• Healthy Child Care

What services are provided by Health Department professionals for licensed child care centers?

• State Training and Registration (STAR) classes (in cooperation with Child Care Resource and Referral).

• Reviewing health policies with child care providers.

• Assistance on a variety of topics, such as:

  • growth and development

  • child-care environments

  • children with special needs

  • communicable disease

  • emotional or behavioral concerns

  • nutrition

Fees and Information

There is no charge to child care providers for a one-time consultation visit to solve a specific problem.  There is a fee when a child care center contracts with the Health Department for a nurse consultant to make monthly visits.  For more information, please call (360) 414-5589.