California's Head Start Sibling Immunization Drive
The California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch has developed a project in collaboration with the Head Start Sibling Immunization Drive (SID) to improve the low immunization levels of the younger brothers and sisters of the children enrolled in Head Start projects in California.The department has also developed a manual for the Head Start SID based on a "One's and Two's Birthday Club" model, designed to be run by a Head Start parent who will keep track of sibling baby shots. Featured in the manual are five other sibling immunization models developed by different Head Start grantees in California. The manual was developed to be user-friendly and to provide a wealth of information on how to implement a Head Start SID project.
In addition, in collaboration with the Department of Education's Child Development Division, the California Head Start Association, ACF's (Administration for Children and Families) Region IX, and VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), 50 head Start parents throughout California's Head Start grantees will receive a subsistence allowance to implement to "One's & Two's Birthday Club" model in their programs.
California's Central Valley Head Start programs are involved in the first phase of the Head Start SID/VISTA project.
The selection criteria for the initial area of Head Start grantees for the VISTA positions were based on the low levels of immunization in that area of children age 2 and under.
VISTA positions will be awarded to parents identified by the Head Start grantees themselves. VISTA volunteers will receive a 3-day, pre-service orientation at no cost to their assigned head Start project. Each VISTA volunteer will receive a subsistence allowance, plus health benefits and life insurance. After 12 months of service there will be an educational award.
Staff of the immunization Branch will continue to be involved in implementing and supporting the Head Start SID, and in coordinating local health department involvement and support throughout California. information to implement the "One's & Two's Birthday Club" model is available through the State's immunization Branch.
--Contact person for the Head Start Sibling Immunization Drive Project in California is Victoria Alvarado, (510) 540-2667, in Berkley. The VISTA contact person is Jackie Miller, (916) 322-5113, in Sacramento.
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