The Maternal Child Health staff is dedicated to a variety of activities and programs that affect the health, safety, and well being of mothers, children, and adolescents. MCH nurses are involved in many areas of needs assessment, capacity building, and service coordination.

Classes Offered for Child Care Providers

• Adult & Childhood Immunizations
• Air Quality in the Child Care Setting
• Asthma Education
• Blood Borne Pathogens
• Car Seat Safety (providers and parents)
• Children with Special Health Care Needs
• Communicable Disease in the Child Care Center
• Emergency Preparedness
• First Aid
• Healthy Smiles: Oral Health of Young Children
• * Heartsaver CPR
• Menu Magic: Menu Planning for Child Care
• Poison Prevention (providers & parents)
• Safe Sleep Practices & Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the Child Care Setting
• Saving Lives; the importance of CPR & AEDs
• Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Socializing Healthy Habits: Nutrition & Physical Activity
• Summer Safety (parents)

* Please call 325-7185 for more information

Children's Classes

• Hand Washing
• Organ Wise Guys; Healthy Habits
• Show Me Your Smile: Oral Health
• Spike's Poison Prevention Adventure

For more information on classes or for scheduling a class call 325-7185

Spot the Tot
Every week in America there are 4 children killed in backover accidents. Many more are injured. Backover accidents occur because SUVs and vans have blind zones (bigger than blind spots) that make it impossible to see small children behind the vehicle.

Therefore, it is important that during these summer months to follow these steps in order to keep kids safe.

• Be sure to firmly hold the hand of children when in driveyways, parking lots and sidewalks.
• All drivers should do a safety look to check for children walking or playing around cars.
• All drivers should walk all the way around a parked vehicle to check for kids, toys and pets before entering, starting or moving the car.
• Make sure young children are always accompanied by an adult when getting in or out of your vehicle.
• Have children stand on the porch or somewhere you can see them before backing up.

For more information visit www.usa.safekids.org

Not Even for a Minute
Summer is a busy time and everyone is in a hurry. You may be tempted to leave your child in the car for "just a minute" while you run into the store. DON'T DO IT! There are very real dangers for children left alone in a vehicle.

• Abduction
• Temperature inside a car can quickly reach deadly levels
• Children can accidently set the car in motion
• Children can bcome trapped and even killed by a power window
• Items in the glove compartment or first aid kit could be harmful or toxic to children

For more information visit www.ctf4kids.org

Child Passenger Safety
Visit Buckle Up Our Future at www.coalition4childsafety.org for information on the Missouri Booster Seat Law that went into effect August 28, 2006. Resources are available for education, installation and referral for car seats.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that involves inflammation of airways in the lungs. There is no cure, but it can be treated and controlled. During an asthma attack three basic things occur in the lungs- the inside of the airways swell, airways muscle spasms occur and mucous builds up. Asthma affects all age groups, from infants to senior adults. There are many different theories on why asthma occurs, but no definite explanation.

Approximately 12% of the students in the Independence School District have asthma, and it is the most common reason children miss school. Symptoms vary per person, but some common symptoms include a cough with or without sputum, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and/or chest tightness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your physician.

Asthma episodes can be triggered by a variety of factors including pollen, smoke, mold, animals, cockroaches, dust, weather, exercise, infections, emotions, strong smells, etc. Over 80% of those with asthma also have allergies. Treatment for asthma includes avoiding the factors that can start an attack and taking medication to control the inflammation in the airways.

The Independence Health Department takes an active role in working with children and adults with asthma. Children in the Independence, Blue Springs and Fort Osage School District are presented the American Lung Association's Open Airways program and the Allergy and Asthma Foundation's Power Breathing Program. These programs help the students understand their asthma and learn to take charge of their asthma. Classes are also presented to adults, bus drivers, childcare workers, teachers, after-school workers and caretakers.

If you would like more information about asthma, contact Dee Hampton at 816-325-7320 or dhampton@indepmo.org.

Additional Information:
www.njc.org
www.ama-assn.org
www.asthmacontrol.com
www.mayohealth.org
www.lungusa.org/asthma

Lead Poisoning Prevention
Lead exposure can be harmful to young children and unborn babies. Do you know how and where you could be exposed to lead? Click here for more information.

Child Abuse Prevention
For information on parenting, family services, activities, how you can help prevent child abuse, etc. please click here.

For more information on Maternal Child Health Activities call 325-7186.