POLICY:

Poisonous plants are not allowed in areas where participants may spend time during their Head Start/Early Head Start 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.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

POLICY:

NOCAC staff are, by law, mandated child abuse/neglect reporters.

PROCEDURES:

1. Confidentiality is expected. Staff at all sites is on a need to know basis.
2. All employees must follow proper procedures of reporting child abuse and neglect.
3. Failure to follow proper procedures will result in disciplinary action.
4. Failure to report could also lead to a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and being held liable for civil damages.
5. Step by step procedures to be followed by all staff when suspecting child abuse/neglect.
   1. Ask (ONLY if necessary) the child what happened using open ended questions. After the child responds, if it is suspicious and you suspect abuse or neglect, you must make a report. Remember not to question the child too much.
   2. DOCUMENT all information on the NOCAC Child Abuse/Neglect Incident form. When reporting a concern regarding a child, be sure to have all needed information available including:
      1. name and address of the child you suspect is being abused or neglected
      2. date of birth and age of child
      3. name and address of parent or caretaker
      4. name of person suspected who is abusing or neglecting the child
      5. reason for suspicions
      6. other significant information
      7. your name, work address, and place of employment (as a mandated reporter, you may not report anonymously).
   3. CALL Department of Job and Family Services in the county the child resides. Ask if they want a written copy of the report. If they do not, document it on the NOCAC Child Abuse/Neglect Incident form. Document the name of the caseworker receiving your report.
   4. CALL the NOCAC Head Start Director regarding the report you filed.
      1. If the Director is not available contact the NOCAC Executive Director.
      2. DO NOT leave a voicemail or send an email.
      3. It is important to remember, staff are not calling for permission to report, instead to inform of a situation with the family. 
   5. INFORM the FSS in your county about the report.
   6. SEND the completed form to the Family and Community Engagement Manager at the NOCAC Central Office.
6. If a NOCAC staff suspects a fellow staff member of child abuse/neglect or witnesses an incident they are required to report to the proper authorities and follow these steps:
   1. Follow #5 a-d above.
   2. The Head Start/ECE Director will represent our program in discussions with the child’s family.
   3. Complete a JFS 01299 “Incident/Injury Report” for the parent to sign.
   4. The Center Manager or Head Start Director must follow the procedure as written in ODJFS 5101:2-12-16(G). Follow procedure for Incident/Injury Reporting of a Serious Risk.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

• NOCAC Child Abuse/Neglect Incident form
• Incident/Injury Report – JFS 01299

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:

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:

• NOCAC Agency Personnel Policies 7.00 and 7.14

POLICY:

NOCAC Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) will ensure that only “allowable” animals will be brought into the HS/EHS Classroom and appropriate safety and sanitation procedures will be followed at all times.

PROCEDURES:

1. NOCAC HS/EHS follows the Caring for Our Children and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Day Care Licensing Rules.
   1. Animal licenses and inoculation records will be kept on file at the center.
2. Visiting animals should be curriculum embedded.
3. All pet cages will be cleaned/disinfected once a week by staff (latex gloves should be worn to protect staff). Make sure that the animal is not put back into the cage until it has a chance to completely air dry.
4. Children will only hold the animal(s) outside the cage. If an animal “potty accident” occurs the children must wash hands and clothing immediately. Only staff’s hands are to be inside the animal cage.
5. Animals cannot roam the classroom freely without supervision. When they are out, they must be closely monitored to ensure that any accidents are cleaned up with disinfectant immediately.
6. Animals must have appropriate sized cages. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other gerbils need room to explore and use their large muscles and it is also important for children to see adult’s model humane treatment of animals.
7. Animals can visit the classroom under certain circumstances
   1. A traveling pet show can visit a classroom if they are registered with USDA. However, special sanitation arrangements must be made if snakes and reptiles which can carry Salmonella bacteria are to be allowed in the classroom. The Center Manager and Health and Safety Manager will be utilized in the planning of such an event.
   2. Dogs and cats from outside organizations can only be brought in if they have no history of biting/scratching, have an updated rabies vaccination and children in the classroom who might be afraid are taken into consideration prior to allowing the pet to visit.
   3. Other animals with the exception of snakes, turtles and other reptiles can be brought in for sharing and for a limited time if they do not bite and hands are washed before and immediately after handling.
8. If an animal bites a child, follow appropriate first aid and accident reporting procedures and remove the animal from the classroom immediately. In order to avoid a bite, be sure to follow these guidelines:
   1. Talk about how to handle animals (or not to handle) prior to introducing the classroom pet
   2. Teach animal safety – Children need to be well supervised when handling animals. Sometimes children want to test limits with animals or they are unaware of how big and strong they are in comparison with a small animal. In either case, an overzealous squeeze or shake may lead to a painful bite.
   3. Staff and children’s hands must be washed prior to handling an animal. The smell of food may invite an animal to bite.

Forms and Additional Guidance: