Established in 1987, the California Childcare Health Program is a community-based program of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing, Department of Family Health Care Nursing. Our multidisciplinary team trains professionals on health and safety issues related to early care and education settings, supports a statewide child care health consultation network, and conducts research. We produce a wealth of materials on health and safety in early care and education settings for professionals and families.
CCHP's Mission
The mission of the California Childcare Health Program is to improve the quality of child care by initiating and strengthening linkages between the health, safety and child care communities and the families they serve.
CCHP's Goals
- To promote and maintain the broadest understanding of health and wellness in early childhood education that includes preventive services: access to health care, mental health consultation and care, child abuse prevention, and training on healthy practices and procedures.
- To create linkages and promote collaboration between and among health and safety professionals and child care professionals.
- To promote the inclusion of children with special needs and the elimination of barriers to their inclusion in all types of early childhood programs.
- To be guided by and infuse the most up-to-date knowledge of the best practices and concepts of health, wellness and safety into all child care programs.
- To promote, support and enhance a healthy and safe environment for all children in child care in California that reflects the diversity of the state.
- To build a health infrastructure that improves the well being of children and families in child care.
