Keywords

child care health, child care health consultation, child care safety, population-focused practice, public health nursing

 

Authors

  1. Gaines, Sherry K. PhD, RN
  2. Wold, Judith Lupo PhD, RN
  3. Bean, Margaret R. BSN, MS, MN
  4. Brannon, Cynthia Gayle RN, BSN
  5. Leary, Janie M. BSW

Abstract

Child care health consultation, an emerging health care delivery system aimed at improving the health and well-being of children enrolled in child care settings, is consistent with the public health core function of assurance. Public health nurses are the primary workforce for such consultation. Few states have critical masses of consultants, and many are struggling to financially support such programs. Through an academic-community partnership, Georgia's public health nurses are building a consultative system of child care health support. This partnership focuses on adding value in child care while strategically and financially supporting the sustainability of this population-focused practice.