Child Care Health Advocate -
Anne Dodds
The Child Care Health Advocate course (EARL 160) is offered by Northampton is an online, 3 credit hour online college course taught over 15 weeks for directors, lead teachers and family child care providers. Health advocates are early childhood practitioners who see to it that their program integrates best practices in health, safety and nutrition, even though they may not perform those practices directly themselves. The course is intended to enable students to meet Standard 1.3.2.7 in
Caring for Our Children
3
rd
edition, the national health and safety standards for early care and education. The students learn to assess, identify, prioritize and implement current health and safety standards in the programs where they work.
This course continues to receive accolades from all the enrolled students. It offers a unique opportunity for directors and lead teachers to acquire academic credit
that may be
applicable toward college degrees. Since 2007, faculty members who are health professionals and child care health consultants have taught this course as an ongoing collaboration between Northampton Community College and the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrician, Susan Aronson, MD wrote and regularly updates the curriculum. “Dr. Sue” participates in the online weekly discussions and in the 7 live interactive sessions offered during the course.
