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
For Early Head Start (ages 0-3):
Immunizations are required for your Infant or Toddler to be enrolled in our licensed center-based classrooms. All infants and toddlers need to stay current on the Montana Vaccine Requirements for Child Care Attendance.
RHS Inc. is not accepting religious exemptions for immunizations.​Children under the age of 24 months are also required to have a Pediatric Health Statement filled out by a doctor to ensure your child is healthy to attend in a classroom.
For Head Start (ages 3-5):
Immunizations are not required for preschool children to get enrolled. Enrollment staff and health staff will ask for your child's immunization record to verify their birthdate and review their health status.
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 Consultant
Callie Woodman
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Callie Monroe Woodman is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) who graduated with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Montana in Missoula in 2018. Callie was the mental health consultant for the Ravalli Head Start programs during the 2023-2024 school year and recently took over the position at the Missoula Early Head Start.
Callie has worn many work hats; from her internship while at Gonzaga University helping homeless families obtain housing, teaching music in rural Nicaragua, becoming a certified Montessori Teacher and working at Primrose Montessori in Missoula, teaching children's guitar lessons, and eventually becoming a therapist.
Since becoming a therapist, Callie has worked in CSCT at C.S.Porter, in the acute unit at St. Patrick's Hospital, and for the past six years has been the Lead Clinical Staff at a Youth Homes group home in Missoula. She currently has a private practice called Arnica Counseling.
Callie has a deep passion for supporting teachers, parents and families with young children and delights in witnessing Head Start's students, parents, and teachers learn and grow. ​​​​​​
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
