Health Information
COVID-19 Information
The Public Health Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 ended on 5/11/23.
The CDC has summarized what that means:
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Vaccines will remain available
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COVID-19 at-home tests may not be covered by insurance
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Treatments will remain available
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National reporting of COVID-19 may change
Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/end-of-phe.html for more details.
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RHS, Inc. continues to have no cost COVID-19 at-home tests available while supplies last. Tests are also available at https://www.covid.gov/tests.
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Due to the National Reporting of COVID-19, the community level data is no longer available. Therefore, we will be unable to share this information or post the current community level at the facility entrances.
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We will continue to provide disposable masks and hand sanitizing stations at facility entrances.
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We will continue to notify families when a positive COVID exposure occurs in their child’s classroom.
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Immunizations required for licensed Child Care facilities in Montana have a slightly different immunization schedule.
Please see below, or visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/Immunization/childcareandschoolresources for more information
Preparing for Baby
Safe Sleep
It’s important for all caregivers—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers, and everyone who might care for baby—to learn about safe infant sleep to help reduce baby’s risk.
Find more at: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safesleepbasics/risk/reduce
Breastfeeding and Formula Information
Bitterroot Breastfeeding Coalition
Infant Formula Preparation and Storage
Infant Formula Preparation and Storage | Nutrition | CDC
How to Clean, Sanitize and Store Infant Feeding Items
How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items | CDC
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Skin to Skin After Birth
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How skin-to-skin contact can benefit your newborn
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https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-top-benefits-skin-to-skin-contact-for-babies/
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More Resources for New Parents!
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​Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition
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Facts about Postpartum Depression - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition
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Surprised by Motherhood - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition *Hosted at Ravalli Head Start*
Mental Health
Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)
The e-DECA 2.0 is a strength-based assessment and planning system designed to promote resilience in children ages birth through five.
The DECA is administered by the teachers within the first 45 days of school and again towards the end of the year. The parents also complete one DECA assessment on their child towards the beginning of the year.
https://centerforresilientchildren.org/preschool/assessments-resources/e-deca-2-0-web-based-version-of-the-devereux-center-for-resilient-children-assessments/
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a screening instrument that is frequently used to identify women who might be experiencing depression during pregnancy and after giving birth.
Postpartum depression (PDD) is a mood disorder that can occur after childbirth and is characterized by symptoms including sadness, irritability, insomnia, appetite changes, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
Mental Health Consultants
Jessica Cardiff is the Mental Health Consultant for Missoula Early Head Start. She meets with the staff at MEHS once per week and consults with the Behavioral Health Manager weekly and as needed. I am currently seeking a Mental Health Consultant for Ravalli County Head Start and Early Head Start.
Here is Jessica’s Biography:
Jessica Cardiff is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in Montana since 1993. She received her bachelor of arts in human development and bachelor of science in psychology at Boston College as well as her masters degree in social work at Walla Walla University. Jessica’s primary clinical focus has been to support growing families in Missoula through school based mental health, internship supervision, teaching and in her private practice. She is really excited to begin a new role as the consultant for the team at Early Head Start.
Looking for something fun to do?
Free personality test!
www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
CACFP: Child and Adult Care Food Program
Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
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To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a 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:
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mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; -
fax: (202) 690-7442; or
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email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Recalls
Looking for information on recalls?
Visit
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls, for more information
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
Hotlines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Montana Poison Control Center
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24/7/365
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100% confidential
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Free Advice
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Trained nurses, pharmacists & toxicologists
https://www.mtpoisoncenter.org/
https://www.poison.org/
Montana Tobacco Quit Line
The Quitline is here to help you be successful in your quit journey! Our free tobacco cessation program is based on proven strategies that have helped more than 1.5 million people quit tobacco.
https://montana.quitlogix.org/en-US/
Looking for more community resources?
Find more on our Resources page here
