Child Care Providers

Providing child care is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers, and Healthy Child Care Texas is here to help!

HCCT offers a variety of supports and resources to center- and home-based child care programs. We strive to make sure all children have access to safe, high quality child care by training a team of Child Care Health Consultants and Medical Consultants who can support you through consultation and training. See the list of frequently asked questions below for more information. We look forward to partnering with you!

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is a Child Care Health Consultant?

• What is a Medical Consultant?

• Why do I need a Child Care Health Consultant?

• What does a Child Care Health Consultant do?

• What can't a Child Care Healthy Consultant do?

• How do I find a Child Care Health Consultant?

• What is the Texas Trainer Registry?

What is a Child Care Health Consultant?

A Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) is a local health or early childhood professional who has gone through specialized training in order to assist you.  CCHCs know about child health, child development, and health and safety in child care settings. CCHCs work together with early care and education providers to promote healthy and safe environments for young children. CCHCs have expert information, resources, and referrals to offer providers.

Your Child Care Health Consultant has a knowledge of:

• Child Care Licensing Regulations
• Child Growth and Development
• Injury Prevention and Safe, Active Play
• Infection Control
• Pediatric Nutrition
• Children with Special Health Care Needs
• Cultural Diversity in Child Care
• Linking to Community Resources
• And more…

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What is a Medical Consultant?

A Medical Consultant is a physician, resident, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner who has gone through specialized training in order to assist you with improving the health and safety of your early care and education program. Child Care Health Consultants and Medical Consultants can both support you in keeping children healthy and safe.

Your Medical Consultant has a knowledge of:

• Infectious Disease
• Environmental Hazards
• Child Development
• Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Immunization
• Safety/Injury Prevention
• Emergency Response (Disaster Preparedness)
• Children with Special Needs
• Suspected Child Abuse
• Medical Home Recommendations
• Linking to Community Resources

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Why do I need a Child Care Health Consultant?

• Children deserve health and safety support at a level that goes well beyond minimum standards acceptable in child care licensing

• Caregivers need a link to other experts in child health and safety

• New research and information on child health and safety can be difficult for providers and parents to sort through and understand

• Child Care Health Consultants, along with Medical Consultants, serve as powerful advocates for children

• The future of our children depends on it

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What does a Child Care Health Consultant do?

Many Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs) work independently while others work for such entities as child care licensing, Head Start, or local workforce development programs. In their role as a CCHC, they are not responsible for regulating or monitoring your programs. They assist child care owners, directors, and their staff in understanding best practices through onsite or telephone consultation, training, and/or technical assistance.

Specifically, CCHCs can

• Help link staff, families and children with community health resources
• Assess and promote developmentally appropriate environments and practices
• Assess the health and safety needs and practices in the child care facility and discuss best practices on how to manage and prevent injuries or infectious diseases
• Review health, safety and nutrition practices and assist in developing policies and procedures
• Help develop strategies for inclusion of children with special health care needs
• Provide health education for staff members, families and children

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What can't a Child Care Health Consultant?

CCHCs cannot:

• Screen and assess children at the facility
• Provide medical treatment for illness/injury

How do I find a Child Care Health Consultant?

There are at least three ways to find a Child Care Health Consultant and/or a Medical Consultant in your area:

1. Look at the directory of consultants on this website by clicking here.

2.  Contact the Healthy Child Care Texas Coordinator.

3.  Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. The Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies’ website can help you find the child care resource and referral agency that serves your geographic area. The local agency will assist you in finding a consultant to meet your needs.

What is the Texas Trainer Registry?

The Texas Early Care and Education Career Development System (TECECDS) was created to ensure that high quality professional development opportunities are available statewide to individuals working in early care and education. TECECDS maintains the Texas Trainer Registry, a peer reviewed list of qualified early care and education trainers across the state. Each Child Care Health Consultant is required to undergo the review process with the Texas Trainer Registry.