Smart Start programs: children's health

Outreach for Emotional Difficulties

Child Care Behavior Consultation – Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project (CHTOP), Lara Kehle, 919-644-6590. This program provides screening for children identified as having behavioral and social emotional problems in child care settings. Strategies are developed with parents and child care providers to improve the child's success in the classroom. On-site consultation and instruction is provided to teachers to enhance their skills about responding to challenging behaviors.

Ensuring Access to Health Services

Children’s Resource Van – Chatham County Public Health Department, Edna Williams, 919-542-8382. The Children’s Resource Van (CRV) has been bringing screenings, immunizations, and health education to Chatham County’s child care facilities since 1995. The van is staffed by a public health nurse who is also a child care health consultant. She helps child care providers develop and improve health, safety, and nutrition practices. A major goal for the Partnership is for each family to have an identified health provider, the van helps connect children with a doctor and with other health resources.

Assuring Better Child Health and Development – Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project (CHTOP), Alex Morris, 919-542-9891. This project seeks to ensure developmental screenings and referrals are properly performed by all child health care providers. On-site training and technical assistance is provided to medical practice sites to facilitate the identification of children who may benefit from early intervention services.