Health Requirements: Enrollment & Short-term Exclusion Fact vs Myth

Begin obtaining health requirements during application & enrollment Begin working with the family immediately during application and enrollment, including obtaining, Immunizations, physical exams, dental exams and other screenings Developing a FOLLOW-UP PLAN to obtain any outstanding requirements, especially those requirements needed for the child to start in the classroom (i.e., required immunizations, food accommodations, emergency medications) There should never be missed opportunities to obtain and follow-up on health requirements PLEASE do not wait until the first day of school to verify that the family has all the required documentation … that is usually too late & results in unnecessary days missed from school!

What is actually REQUIRED to start in the classroom? The REQUIRED immunizations for child care in California Food accommodations Emergency medications along with the required medication forms

Health GIM Section III.A.2 Mandates for Required Immunizations: Although enrollment status is not affected by outstanding immunization requirements, if an immunization(s) is still needed by the start date, the child will require a short-term exclusion from the classroom until an immunization status of “completed all for age” or “up-to-date all possible for age” is verified. The status and follow-up must be documented and shared with key DA staff. In the event that a short-term exclusion is required until the vaccine(s) are documented, the DA must continue to follow up with the family to minimize the amount of time the child is not attending class. The status and follow-up must be documented and shared with key DA staff.

Although DAs are required to comply with federal and state regulations and timelines, programs must never exclude children from the classroom or program as a strategy to obtain information, including: Enrollment status must not be affected by missing health documentation. Written or verbal information must not be given to families that says or infers that priority or enrollment is affected. Health GIM Section III.A.1 Mandates around Exclusion from Classroom:

Other requirements: Current Physical Exam Within one year prior to the start date Within 30 days from the start date If the physical exam is not available on the start date, must have evidence of an appointment for a physical exam on the start date Current TB risk assessment or TB screening Within one year prior to the start date Within 30 days from the start date

Documentation of TB screening

Personal Beliefs Exemption Form required if families select to waive a vaccine(s) for their child Must be completed by and signed by the health care provider Must be signed by parent This form ensures that the health care provider has explained all the pros & cons when waiving vaccines for their child