The National Center on Health showcases research-based practices to ensure the health and mental wellness of Head Start staff, children, and families. The Center creates high-quality information to help every Head Start and Early Head Start program implement effective approaches to medical and dental care access, health awareness, obesity prevention in young children, emergency preparedness, and environmental safety. The Center will also inform the Head Start community of current OHS priorities, policies, and expectations to ensure healthy outcomes for children and families.
Featured Resources
I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL)
This proactive approach helps Head Start programs address obesity in young children. IMIL offers research, video clips, testimonials, and tips staff may use to increase children's physical activity, improve teacher-facilitated movements and play, and to help children make healthy food choices every day.
Head Start Emergency Preparedness Manual [PDF, 809KB]
The Head Start Emergency Preparedness Manual provides information and tools that programs may use to help plan for emergencies. The Manual offers information on the four phases of emergency response – planning, impact, relief, and recovery – and offers tips on how to plan and prepare for specific emergency situations.
Webcast on Supporting the Mental Health of Head Start Children
Head Start staff may view this webcast to learn more about early childhood mental health and the available resources they can use to improve the delivery of mental health services to children and families.
Current Topics
Awareness Day 2012
May 9 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and this year’s theme is Heroes of Hope. OHS encourages programs to celebrate children who have demonstrated resilience from trauma and the extraordinary people who are their heroes. Inform OHS of your activities and partnerships, and share stories about heroes in your community.
Eat Right: Get Your Plate in Shape
Developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for National Nutrition Month®, held annually each March, this resource promotes the importance of and offers tips for making healthy eating and physical activity decisions.
Let's Move Child Care
With the release of Let's Move Child Care and a new IM from OHS , local programs have a new opportunity to partner with other early childhood professionals to promote healthy eating, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time and sugary drinks. Become familiar with the facts about obesity in early childhood. Learn and promote the five goals of this important initiative.
Events & Conferences
Contact Us
Send your questions and requests to nchinfo@aap.org or call:
1-888-227-5125 (toll-free).
Last Reviewed: February 2012
Last Updated: May 14, 2012
