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Phone (419) 784-5136 | Address: 1933 E 2nd Street Defiance, Ohio 43512

Consumer Feedback

Lead Free Environments

by | Oct 12, 2022 | Safety

POLICY
NOCAC will provide Lead testing at every center as determined by the Health Services Advisory Committee or as required by the Office of Head Start.

PROCEDURES:

Hard Surfaces:

  1. All centers, including classrooms, gymnasiums, restrooms and teacher work areas will have a surface LEAD test completed every three years.
  2. Conducting the test:
    • 3M Instant LeadCheck Swab Test (or similar) are used to survey the area for Lead level or contamination.
    • Testing kits can be purchased online or instore.
    • Areas will be swab tested per the manufacturer’s instruction.
    • Results:
      • If a Positive or RED swab result, a second swab will be used to verify results.
      • Any area resulting in two positives, will be rescreened by a state certified Lead Inspector.

Drinking Water:

  1. All water faucets in classrooms or centers with for drinking and cooking will be tested for LEAD every three years.
    • Centers with well systems will follow all county and state rules for testing.
      • Pulaski Head Start Center has weekly testing with Ohio EPA as required, records are on site.
  2. Any water source labeled Hand Washing Only will not be checked.
  3. Conduction the test:
    • Varify Complete Water Test Kit (or similar)  will be used to check for Lead contaminates in drinking and cooking water.
    • Testing kits can be purchased online at www.variytest.com or instore.
    • Areas will be tested per the manufacturer’s instructions.
      • Water must not be used 8-18 hours prior to conducting the test.
      • Results:
        • If a “high” level is indicated on the color chart, a second strip will be used to confirm.
        • Any area resulting in two positives, will be rescreened by a state certified Lead Inspector.
        • All areas that need further testing will be labeled DO NOT USE for COOKING OR DRINKING until a final clearance from certified Lead Inspector have been confirmed.

Tracking:

  1. Lead Testing will be tracked for both surface and water using the eTracker for Child care Facilities.
  2. The Transportation & Safety Specialist is responsible for ordering, conducting, tracking, monitoring and sharing reports with supervisor regarding all aspects of the Lead Free Environment protocol.
  3. Records will be maintained for seven years.

 

Forms and Additional Guidance:

  • eTracker for Child care Facilities (Add link)

Plants in Head Start/Eearly Head Start

by | Jun 10, 2020 | Safety

POLICY:

Poisonous plants are not allowed in areas where participants may spend time during their HS/EHS day.

PROCEDURES:

  1. Any plant at a center must have the name of the plant clearly labeled on the container.  No plants known to be poisonous (see list below) are acceptable for placement at any sites.
  2. If staff do not know if a plant is toxic, they should consult with either a local green house or the Ohio State University Extension Service.
  3. Poisonous plants found at outdoor areas that are used, but not owned, by NOCAC will be made inaccessible to the children and families.
  4. NOCAC staff will integrate poison prevention into lessons, letting children know that plants can be poisonous and never eat any part of a plant, including berries or seeds, unless told it is okay by a trusted adult.
  5. If someone is exposed to a poisonous plant or if a child is suspected of ingesting any type of plant, staff will immediately call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and follow instructions given by their trained staff.

 

Poisonous Plants
Amaryilis Diffenbachia Jequirity Bean Potato Plant
Azalea Dumbcane Jerusalem Cherry Pothos
Begonia (sand) English Holly/Ivy Jimson Weed Pyrocantha
Bird of Paradise Elderberry Juniper Rhododendron
Black Nightshade Berry Elephant Ears Larkspur Rhubarb
Butterfly Weed Eucalyptus Laurel Skunk Cabbage
Calla Lily Eyebane Lily-Of-The-Valley Snow-On-The-Mt.
Calamondin Orange Tree Firecracker Mistletoe Spathe Flower
Carnation Foxglove Morning Glory String of Pearls
Castor Bean Geranium Needlepoint Ivy Tomato Leaves
Christmas Cherry Golden Chain Oleander Tulips-Dermatitis
Cyclamen Holly Berry Oxallis Umbrella Tree
Daffodil Horsechestnut Philodendron Violet Seeds
Daisy Hyacinth Podocarpus Wild Carrots
Daphne Hydrangea Blossom Poison Ivy Wild Cucumber
Deadly Nightshade Iris Poison Sumac Wild Parsnip
Devil’s Ivy Jack-In-The-Pulpit Poison Hemlock Wild Peas
      Yew Tree

Forms and Additional Guidance:

This policy complies with the following
Head Start Program Performance Standard:    
ODJFS Child Care Manual:    
CACFP Regulation:    
Caring for Our Children:   5.2.9.2 – Use of Poison Center
Other Sources:    
Effective Date:   02/25/20 Reviewed Date:   10/22/20, 6/8/22
Approved By Policy Council:     Revision Approved By Policy Council:    

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting

by | Mar 19, 2019 | Safety

POLICY:

All NOCAC Child Development Staff are required by law mandated reporters.

PROCEDURES:

  1. NOCAC Child Development Staff will respect the confidentiality of a child abuse/neglect report.  All staff is on a need to know basis.
  2. NOCAC Child Development will follow the steps of child abuse/neglect reporting.
    1. NOCAC Child Development Staff can make a report on suspicion alone.
    2. Ask the child what happened using open ended questions.
      1. If a report is to be made the staff member asking the child the questions MUST be the one to make the report.
      2. If the child is uncomfortable talking DO NOT question the child any further.
      3. Another NOCAC Child Development Staff CANNOT tell another staff member whether or not to make the report.
      4. If making a report to Child Protective Services (CPS) ask the CPS worker how they would like the information over the phone, emailed or faxed.
    3. Document ALL information on the NOCAC Child Abuse/Neglect Incident form.  Every Center has these forms at the center.
    4. The following information must be on the NOCAC Child Abuse/Neglect Form:
      1. name and address of child,
      2. date of birth of child,
      3. age of child,
      4. name of parent/caregiver,
      5. address of parent/caregiver,
      6. reason for suspected child abuse/neglect,
      7. any important factual information pertaining to the situation,
      8. name of person reporting,
      9. work address of person reporting,
      10. written copy of report if CPS worker requested,
      11. and the name of the CPS worker the report was made to.
    5. Mandated reporters may not report anonymously.
    6. Contact the NOCAC Child Development Social Services Manager informing them of the report.  Ask the Social Services Manager if he/she would like the report hand delivered by the person making the report or if he/she would like the report put in a sealed envelope and put in the center’s mail for the Central Office with the Social Services Manager’s name on it and marked CONFIDENTIAL.
    7. If the NOCAC Social Services Manager is not available the one making the report MUST contact the NOCAC Child Development Director.
    8. DO NOT leave a voicemail, send an email, or leave a message with another NOCAC Staff member.
    9. Inform the NOCAC Child Development Family Advocate for the center the child attends.
  3. If a NOCAC Child Development Staff member suspects or witnesses another NOCAC Child Staff member of child abuse/neglect, it is required to report the incident immediately to the NOCAC Child Development Director and CPS.
    1. The NOCAC Child Development Director will decide who will talk to the parent(s)/caregiver.
    2. An incident/injury report for parents to sign.
    3. All procedures must be followed as written in ODJFS 5101:2-12-16(g).
    4. Procedures for Incident/Injury Reporting of a Serious Risk must be followed.
  4. NOCAC Child Development Staff are required to receive Child Abuse and Neglect Training every two years.
  5. If at any time a Child Development Staff person arrives at a home and suspects that a child is home alone or without appropriate supervision:
    1. ask the child if they are home alone.
    2. If they say yes, loudly state that because no adult is present you are calling the police (in case someone else is in the house).
    3. Do NOT leave until the police arrive.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

This policy complies with the following
Head Start Program Performance Standard:   1302.92(b)(2)
ODJFS Child Care Manual:   5101:2-12-19(D)
CACFP Regulation:    
Caring for Our Children:   3.4.4
Other Sources:   Ohio Revised Code, Section 2151.421
Effective Date:   8/7/17 Reviewed Date:   12/21/20, 6/8/22
Approved By Policy Council:   8/7/17 Revision Approved By Policy Council:    

ODJFS Orientation Training

by | Feb 19, 2019 | Safety

POLICY:

All new NOCAC Head Start/Early Head Start employees will complete the prescribed ODJFS Orientation Training within thirty days of hire.

PROCEDURES:

  1. ODJFS requires all child care staff members to complete the prescribed training within 30 days of hire.
    1. The training can be found on the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) website.
    2. Log in to the website using your O-PIN number.
    3. Click “Find Training” and search for Child Care Center Orientation Training.
    4. Select training by clicking on the title.
    5. Click “Add to Cart”.
    6. On the top of the screen (in a red box) it will show “1 – item”.
    7. Select “View Cart” from the drop down menu.
    8. Once you are on the “Shopping Cart” tab, click “Check-out”.
    9. You will get a message that you have successfully registered.
    10. To view the training, return to the dashboard by selecting “Profile” under your name at the top right corner of the screen.
    11. Your training will appear on the profile page. Click the title of the training and then select “Access Training” to begin.
  2. ODJFS defines a child care staff member as follows
    1. “Any adult employed by a child care center who is responsible for the care and supervision of children.”
      1. This includes bus monitors.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

This policy complies with the following
Head Start Program Performance Standard:   5101:2-12-08(D)
ODJFS Child Care Manual:    
CACFP Regulation:    
Caring for Our Children:    
Other Sources:    
Effective Date:   8/7/17 Reviewed Date:   6/8/22
Approved By Policy Council:   8/7/17 Revision Approved By Policy Council:    

Required Safety Trainings

by | Jan 2, 2019 | Safety

POLICY:

Each Child Development center shall have at least one staff member on-site (in each building) during all hours of operation who is currently trained in First Aid, CPR, Management of Communicable Disease, and Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

Child Abuse & Neglect

Every NOCAC Head Start/Early Head Start administrator, child care staff member, including substitutes, shall be current with the ODJFS prescribed one-hour child abuse overview which is valid for two years. This shall be taken with the first sixty days of hire.

1)   NOCAC staff will be trained on NOCAC specific procedures at hire by the Family and Community Engagement Manager during the new hire orientation process. A copy of the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Policy & Procedures will be distributed to the staff person at this time.

2)   NOCAC staff may be required to renew online with ODJFS if the 6 hour Child Abuse and Neglect recognition training if it has not been offered prior to the expiration of online coursework.

3)   NOCAC HS/EHS staff certified with the 6 hour class will complete the refresher every three years thereafter.

First Aid & CPR

NOCAC HS/EHS staff will also become certified in First Aid & CPR

1)   Buses must have a First Aid/CPR certified adult on each route.

2)   These trainings must be completed as time permits unless required to meet ratio at which time the supervisor will work with First Aid/CPR instructors to schedule a class.

3)   First Aid/CPR classes will be offered multiple times throughout the program year.

First Aid/CPR instructors

1)   Instructors must be the lead instructor at least one time every two years.

2)   Instructors must be the co-instructor at least one time every two years. They should also register for the class at this time to ensure they remain updated.

3)   It is the instructor’s responsibility to maintain active instructor status and follow all obligations per Red Cross rules.

Common Childhood Illness (CCI)

NOCAC HS/EHS staff will become certified in Common Childhood Illness

1)   All sites will have a staff person trained in CCI on the premises at all times.

2)   Trainings must be completed as time permits unless required to meet ratio.

3)   Online classes can be scheduled and must be completed within six months from purchase of the online class. Supervisors may assign an earlier due date as needed.

It is the responsibility of each staff member and Supervisor to maintain status of all safety trainings and renewal dates.

Trainings shall meet course and trainer requirements in Appendix A.

Audiovisual or electronic media training shall not be used to meet the CPR training requirement unless there is also an in-person component of the training.

 

 

Forms and Additional Guidance:

 

This policy complies with the following
Head Start Program Performance Standard:   1302.92, 1302.47 (b) (4)
ODJFS Child Care Manual:  

5101:2-12-10 (A) (1) (a,b,c,d) (2) (3,4)

Appendix A– Health Training Courses

Appendix B– Professional Development Training Topics
CACFP Regulation:    
Caring for Our Children:    
Other Sources:   NOCAC Head Start Policies & Procedures- Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting
Effective Date:   8/7/17 Reviewed Date:   6/8/22
Approved By Policy Council:   8/7/17 Revision Approved By Policy Council:    

Smoke and Toxin Free Environment

by | Sep 29, 2017 | Safety

POLICY:

NOCAC Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) will provide a center-based environment free of toxins, such as cigarette smoke, lead, herbicides, and other air pollutants as well as soil and water contaminants.

PROCEDURES:

  1. NOCAC HS/EHS employees, volunteers and visitors are prohibited from the use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs in all the buildings on the grounds and in any NOCAC Vehicles used by the program.
  2. No child will be present during the spraying of pesticides or herbicides. Children will not return to the affected areas until it is deemed safe.
  3. All buildings will be tested for “Radon” levels per the Radon Policy.
  4. At least one carbon monoxide detector will be on each floor of every NOCAC Head Start Center.
    1. The County Manager (or designee) will test the detector monthly and document it on the Monthly Safety Checklist.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

This policy complies with the following
Head Start Program Performance Standard:    1302.47(b)(1)(iii)
ODJFS Child Care Manual:    5101:2-12-12(B)(3); 5101:2-12-13(C) & Appendix C
CACFP Regulation:    
Caring for Our Children:    9.2.3.15
Other Sources:    NOCAC Agency Personnel Policies 7.00 and 7.14; Ohio Revised Code 3794.02

 

Effective Date:   5/4/15, 4/28/2017 Reviewed Date:   5/4/15, 6/8/22
Approved By Policy Council:   5/4/15, 4/28/2017 Revision Approved By Policy Council:   5/4/15