[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 45, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
[CITE: 45CFR1304.40][Page 129-132]
TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
CHAPTER XIII--OFFICE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1304_PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE OPERATION OF HEAD START PROGRAMS BY GRANTEE AND DELEGATE AGENCIES--Table of Contents
Subpart C_Family and Community Partnerships

Sec. 1304.40 Family partnerships.

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(c) Services to pregnant women who are enrolled in programs serving pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.

(1) Early Head Start grantee and delegate agencies must assist pregnant women to access comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, through referrals, immediately after enrollment in the program. This care must include:

(i) Early and continuing risk assessments, which include an assessment of nutritional status as well as nutrition counseling and food assistance, if necessary;

(ii) Health promotion and treatment, including medical and dental examinations on a schedule deemed appropriate by the attending health care providers as early in the pregnancy as possible; and

(iii) Mental health interventions and follow-up, including substance abuse prevention and treatment services, as needed.

(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide pregnant women and other family members, as appropriate, with prenatal education on fetal development (including risks from smoking and alcohol), labor and delivery, and postpartum recovery (including maternal depression).

(3) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide information on the benefits of breast feeding to all pregnant and nursing mothers. For those who choose to breast feed in center-based programs, arrangements must be provided as necessary.

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(f) Parent involvement in health, nutrition, and mental health education.

(1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health education programs for program staff, parents, and families.

(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that, at a minimum, the medical and dental health education program:

(i) Assists parents in understanding how to enroll and participate in a system of ongoing family health care.

(ii) Encourages parents to become active partners in their children's medical and dental health care process and to accompany their child to medical and dental examinations and appointments; and

(iii) Provides parents with the opportunity to learn the principles of preventive medical and dental health, emergency first-aid, occupational and environmental hazards, and safety practices for use in the classroom and in the home. In addition to information on general topics (e.g., maternal and child health and the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), information specific to the health needs of individual children must also be made available to the extent possible.

(3) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that the nutrition education program includes, at a minimum:

(i) Nutrition education in the selection and preparation of foods to meet family needs and in the management of food budgets; and

(ii) Parent discussions with program staff about the nutritional status of their child.

(4) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that the mental health education program provides, at a minimum (see 45 CFR 1304.24 for issues related to mental health education):

(i) A variety of group opportunities for parents and program staff to identify and discuss issues related to child mental health;

(ii) Individual opportunities for parents to discuss mental health issues related to their child and family with program staff; and

(iii) The active involvement of parents in planning and implementing any mental health interventions for their children.