In this joint Share & Learn webinar, the Head Start Collaboration Office and the California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center (COHTAC), connected Head Start Programs with Local Oral Health Programs (LOHPs). LOHPs work in their communities to improve oral health through education, prevention, community-clinical linkages, and surveillance. In this Share & Learn session, we provided an overview of both programs, identified opportunities for collaboration (including supporting the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment), and shared resources. You heard practical examples (from Madera, Santa Clara, Solano, and Tehama Counties) of how Head Start Programs and LOHPs have partnered together to strengthen their impact. Our goal for this session was to foster and enhance collaboration across programs, leading to improved oral health outcomes for children and families. This Share & Learn supports LOHP work plan objectives 3.2, 3.2a, 3.2b, 3.2c, 3.2d, 3.2f.
At the end of this webinar, learners should be able to:
- Understand the goals and objectives of Head Start Programs and Local Oral Health Programs
- Describe the importance of oral health and the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment
- Identify opportunities to collaborate and strengthen partnerships
- Explain successful cross-program collaborations
- Connect with their local counterpart
Links and resources shared:
- LOHP and Local Head Start Program Contacts to find your local counterpart
- Head Start resources
- Office of Head Start: for more info on Head Start policy and regulations
- Head Start Dental Hygienist Liaison Project
- Head Start Oral Health Resources
- Head Start Collaboration Office
- Questions specific to Head Start programs or the requirements can be sent to [email protected]
- KOHA resources
- CA Ed Code: for more info on KOHA policy
- TK/K KOHA guidance from the Office of Oral Health
- Accessing the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) form
- COHTAC School Oral Health Programs and KOHA
- CA State Auditor: KOHA Audit
- Other oral health resources
- Brush in a Box Toolkit
- COHTAC Oral Health Education Resources: Toddlers 1-4
- COHTAC Share & Learn: New School Dental Program Resources (time stamp 17:45-29:35)
- COHTAC Share & Learn: Bringing Local Oral Health Programs and California Home Visiting Programs Together
- If any LOHPs would like to be connected to their county's Home Visiting Program (CHVPs), please reach out to: [email protected]
- CDC Oral Health Coloring and Activity Book
- Ordering First 5 California Kit for New Parents
- Sesame Street Oral Health Education and Coloring Pages
- Finding dental providers & care coordination
- Counties that presented
Q&A soon to come