HEALTH & NUTRITION

Health is an important part of a child’s development, as children in good health are more ready to learn and take part in everyday activities. Head Start staff make sure that each child has access to regular medical and dental care when they enter the program. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is available to help parents with health-related questions, schedule appointments, and follow up to ensure that children receive any needed treatment. Every child in the program receives vision and hearing screenings. If a child has not yet had their lead or hemoglobin levels checked, the nurse will complete those screenings as well.

Nutrition

Head Start also provides two well-balanced meals each day, following Ohio Child Care Licensing requirements. A Registered Dietitian supervises our Health Manager and Nutrition Coordinator and is responsible for planning menus, making arrangements for children with specific dietary needs, and reviewing growth assessments. The Registered Dietitian, the Health Manager and Nutrition Coordinator are available to support families when needed.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.