When do my child's health requirements need to be complete? Your child's physical exam must be complete, and must have a copy of it prior to program start-up this fall. If it is not complete, your child may be placed on a waiting list until it is complete and there is another opening in the program. The dental exam must, at a minimum, have been scheduled prior to program start-up. We must have an immunization record on file prior to program start-up. At a minimum, your child must have had at least one of each of the required doses. You must contact your Family/Community Coordinator and notify them of all appointment dates.
How do I go about scheduling my health appointments? Immunizations can be done through your local health department or family physician's office. Physicals should be done with your family physician. If your child has Medicaid, you will need to schedule with the provider listed on your Medicaid card. Regardless of where your child receives their Head Start physical, please inform the provider that all components of the physical must be done in order to be considered complete for Head Start requirements. Dental exams can be scheduled with the dentist of your choice. If you have Medicaid and have difficulty finding a dentist who will see your child, please contact your Family/Community Coordinator for assistance. Who pays for the dental and physical exams that are required for my child to attend? Be sure to take the forms and cover letters with you to your appointments! If you do not have insurance, or only partial insurance, these letters authorize the provider to bill us directly. There should be no cost to you for these exams. What if my child is "referred" for further treatment as a result of their physical or dental exam? Completions of these referrals are necessary, and our program will most likely cover payment. Costs over the amount of $100 will need to be approved by our Health Services Manager at our Alpena office. Contact your Family/Community Coordinator for additional paperwork to take to the provider seeing your child for these referrals. Ok, so I've gotten my child's physical and dental exams scheduled. What do I do with the forms? Be sure to take the forms with you to the appointments. Once the provider has completed them, return the forms to us in one of the envelopes enclosed in the packet. Note: Some providers may wish to hold the forms and then contact us to pick them up. This is ok, too. How will I know if my child has all of their health requirements completed and they are ready to start the program? You must contact your Family/Community Coordinator with all appointment dates. Once we have received your child's dental and physical form, we will determine if all components of the physical have been completed as well as any recommended follow-ups. Immunizations will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Your Family/Community Coordinator will be in regular contact with you until all health requirements are complete. Take special notice of any letters or notices that come to you regarding your child's status and respond to them immediately. A lack of communication with Head Start staff could mean a delay in your child starting the program. What's going to happen on my summer home visit? This will be your time to ask specific questions about your family's participation in the program. We will also take this time to complete and update any necessary paperwork, check on completion of health requirements, and share additional information about the program and your child's teachers. Information on fall orientation and your child's first days in the center will be available. |
