Head Start requires children to undergo various physical, developmental, and mental health screenings. The document provides details on annual/periodic screenings for hearing, vision, blood pressure, physical exam, dental exam, lead screening, hemoglobin, immunizations, and developmental screenings including the Early Screening Inventory, Ages & Stages Questionnaire, Denver Developmental Screening, and Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment. The screenings aim to identify potential health or developmental issues so children can receive necessary assistance and support.

1. What is Summer Screening? Head Start requires a number of physical, developmental and mental health screenings. Below you will find an explanation of each screening, when they are due, why we do them and how you can prepare your child for the screenings. Parents are responsible for obtaining the screenings marked with an asterisk (*).

2. Hearing Screening Annually/ Within 45 days of child’s first day of school telling them they’ll get to wear headphones and listen to different sounds. This does not hurt and many kids think this is fun. Hearing tests can identify early hearing loss so that children can receive necessary assistance. Your child will be asked to listen to a series of sounds and tones. They will be asked to raise their hand when they hear the tones. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

3. Vision Screening Annually/ Within 45 days of child’s first day of school telling your child that they’ll just have to look at pictures and tell the adult what they see. The adult will ask them to hold a cover over one eye at a time. The adult might shine a small flashlight in their eyes. This does not hurt! Vision tests can identify early vision loss so that children can receive necessary assistance. Your child will be asked to identify objects of a certain size and at a certain distance to determine their ability to see. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

4. Early Screening Inventory Within 45 days of your child’s first day of school. telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom. Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if needed. The ESI helps to identify children who may need special education services in order to perform successfully in school. This screening is done only for children ages 3 to 6. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

5. Blood Pressure Annually (part of physical exam) Within 90 days of your child’s first day of school explaining that the nurse or doctor will put a special piece of cloth around their arm. Then they’ll pump the bulb to make the piece of cloth get tighter. Make sure to explain to your child that this will not hurt. Although it’s unusual for a child to have high blood pressure, some children have been identified early with high blood pressure readings. Early identification can prevent future health problems. The nurse or doctor will put a cuff around your child’s arm and pump a small bulb to tighten the cuff. This allows the examiner to measure the amount of pressure the child’s blood is flowing at. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

6. Physical Exam* Annually/ Within 30 days of child’s first day of school telling them the doctor will look at parts of their bodies that nobody else is allowed to touch or look at. The doctor’s job is to make sure children are healthy and growing like they’re supposed to. Physical exams can identify health concerns that might interfere with your child’s development and ability to learn. A doctor will listen to your child’s heart, look in their eyes, ears, nose, mouth and evaluate your child’s physical growth and development. A Head Start staff member may take height and weight. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

7. Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ:SE)* Annually/ Within 45 days of child’s first day of school telling them they might see teachers watching them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and grow. This screening can help children receive help they need and problems so problems do not get worse. This measures the child’s social skills and emotional development. This screening will help identify behavioral problems and concerns that a parent or teacher may have. Both parent and teacher complete this questionnaire. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

8. Dental Exam* Annually/ Within 90 days of child’s first day of school telling your child that they will lie back in a chair and open their mouth wide so the dentist can look at their teeth. The dentist will use special tools and might tap on their teeth to make them shiny and clean. This doesn’t usually hurt, but if it does, it will be over quick. Dental exams c an identify dental problems so that children can receive necessary assistance. A dentist or dental hygienist will clean your child’s teeth, perform x-rays and sometimes give fluoride treatments. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

9. Lead Screening* Annually/ Within 90 days of child’s first day of school Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s over. High lead levels can be damaging to your child’s physical development, learning abilities and behavior. Annual screening, treatment and prevention can help avoid these problems. A simple blood test (finger prick or sample from the child’s vein) to determine your child’s blood lead levels. If your child’s blood lead level is too high, the doctor may want to do a second test and will ask you questions about the child’s home environment. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

10. Hemoglobin* Annually/ Within 90 days of child’s first day of school Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s over. Iron is necessary for good health and growth. Low iron may cause a child to be irritable, sleepy and more prone to infections and illness. Checks your child’s iron level. If iron levels are low, the doctor may prescribe iron supplements. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

11. Denver Annually/ Within 45 days of child’s first day of school telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom. Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if needed. A trained teacher will administer this test to help determine if your child's development is within the normal range. This screening is only done for children under 3 years of age. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

12. Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) Only done if the Mental Health Specialist and parent feel further evaluations is needed. telling them they might see teachers watching them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and grow. Gives the Mental Health Specialist, Teacher and parent more information about the child’s behavior and social/emotional development. If there are concerns, your child will receive the help he or she needs. This program helps teachers and parents learn more about children’s social and emotional health and resilience, and identify the strengths and potential areas of growth for all of the children in the center. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?

13. Immunizations* Before the first day of school Remaining calm but firm-your attitude will influence your child’s. If you are calm, this will help lessen your child’s fears. Assure your child that while the shot may prick them, it will be over quickly. Offer your child as much physical comfort and support as possible. Immunizations help young bodies build their own defenses against disease. A series of shots over a period of months or years to prevent the development of certain infectious diseases. Deadline You Can Prepare Your Child By… Benefits to your child What is it?