POLICY:
Young children can present challenging behaviors in the educational setting. NOCAC Head Start is committed to providing support to staff and a family to address children’s challenging behaviors.
PROCEDURES:
- NO CHILD can be sent home without the approval of the Head Start/ECE Director or the Child Development/Education Manager. If they are not available, the Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) can approve.
- If this does occur, the DSC will immediately schedule a meeting with the family to determine the next steps for the child.
- Staff may refer to the Suspension and Expulsion Policy for further guidance
- After multiple occurrences of behavior, communication will be made to the DCS to ensure they are aware.
- All teachers will complete a DECA assessment.
- The DSC will complete a Mental Health Observation on each classroom starting in the fall.
- Concerns regarding individual child observations will be addressed with teaching staff and will start the Child Service Plan Process
- After observations, or in the case of extreme and unsafe behaviors, teachers will complete the Child Service Plan paperwork with the Classroom Coach and Mentor (CCM) and the DSC.
- Address the challenging behaviors and the plans the teaching staff will implement within their classrooms to assist children with reducing challenging behaviors.
- The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant may assist teachers in initiating and completing the Child Service Plan
- The Child Service Plan will be put in place for 60 Days.
- If after 60 days behaviors have not been reduced, an Individual Child Observation (form MH-08 Functional Behavior Assessment) will be completed by the CCM or DSC.
- This observation will last 1-1.5 hours
- Everything the child does within that time frame will be documented and shared with teaching staff and families.
- A meeting will be set up with the teaching staff, parents, DSC, ECMHC, Center Manager, and any additional support staff deemed necessary.
- At this meeting, a summary of the child’s DECA scores, Child Service Plan, and Observations will be discussed.
- All parties involved will work to revise the Child Service Plan.
- A date will be decided at the meeting when the Child Service Plan will be reviewed.
- On the review date, individuals will discuss how the Child Service Plan is working.
- If the interventions are not successful after implementation, another team meeting with the parents will occur. At said meeting, more options will be discussed and more intensified interventions possibly implemented
- Clinical referral may be determined necessary at this time
- Once behavior has been corrected or reduced, observations/meetings with the teacher will discontinue. Follow up will be made to check in on child and teacher and follow up with parents will be made.
- The DSC will do follow up observations and meetings with the teacher as needed.
- If no progress is noted or behaviors have gotten severely aggressive and unsafe, a few other options can be tried; such as reducing days, extra staff in the room, transfer to another class time/option, evaluated for a behavior IEP or home base.
- At this time the child would continue implementing strategies/interventions and if the behavior improves, they may return to class fully if the situation warrants it. This decision will be made by the DSC and the teacher.
- Follow up will be made after 4 weeks to determine if the strategies are helping correct the problem behavior. If not, adjustments will be made to the plan and follow up will continue on a bi-weekly basis.
- Staff may refer to the Suspension and Expulsion Policy for further guidance
- Potentially dangerous behaviors may occur quickly and with little warning. Staff will take immediate action to ensure the safety of the child and others in the environment. For the safety of the child and staff, crisis intervention will involve gently yet firmly removing the child from the situation, holding the child only long enough to get him/her to a safe place to quiet down.
- At any time a behavior plan can be modified for severity of behaviors and safety of class and staff
Forms and Additional Guidance:
Child Service Plan Referral
Home-based Child Service Plan
Home-based Child Service Plan – SPANISH
Home-based Goal Page Instructions
Center Based Child Service Plan
Center Based Goal Page Instructions
Functional Behavioral Assessment
Classroom Mental Health Observation Form
This policy complies with the following
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Head Start Program Performance Standard: |
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1302.45, 1302.17, 1302.46 |
ODJFS Child Care Manual: |
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CACFP Regulation: |
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Caring for Our Children: |
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5.3.2 |
Other Sources: |
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Effective Date: |
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8/17/17 |
Reviewed Date: |
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6/9/22 |
Approved By Policy Council: |
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Revision Approved By Policy Council: |
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