Section 19a-79-4a(h) of the Connecticut General Statutes require

Use of Consultants

Section 19a-79-4a(h) of the Connecticut General Statutes require all licensed child care centers

and group child care homes to develop and implement a written plan that includes the services of

an early childhood educational consultant, health consultant, dental consultant, social service and

registered dietitian consultant if the program serves meals.

The Regulations for Connecticut State Agencies require each of the above consultants to provide,

at a minimum, the following services to the program:

• annual review of written policies, plans and procedures;

• annual review of education programs;

• availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems;

• availability, in person, of the consultant to the program;

• consulting with administration and staff about specific problems;

• acting as a resource person to staff and the parents; and

• documenting the activities and observations required in a consultation log that is kept on

file at the facility for two years.

Furthermore, the regulations require additional services to be provided by the health consultant

as listed below:

• making, at a minimum, quarterly site visits to facilities that serve children three years of

age and older; or for group day care homes, facilities that operate no more than three

hours per day, or facilities that enroll only school age children, semi-annual site visits.

Facilities that are closed during the summer months may omit the summer quarterly visit.

Site visits shall be made by the health consultant during customary business hours when

the children are present at the facility;

• reviewing health and immunization records of children and staff;

• reviewing the contents, storage and plan for maintenance of first aid kits;

• observing the indoor and outdoor environments for health and safety;

• observing children’s general health and development;

• observing diaper changing and toileting areas and diaper changing, toileting and hand

washing procedures;

• reviewing the policies, procedures and required documentation for the administration of

medications, including petitions for special medication authorizations needed for

programs that administer medication; and

• assisting in the review of individual care plans for children with special health care needs

or children with disabilities, as needed.

The selection of consultants for a program should be thoughtful and deliberate. First, a program

should ensure that each individual being considered for a consultant role meets the education and

experience requirements as defined in Section 19a-79-1a of the regulations. The licensure status

of a person serving as a health or dental consultant may be verified by visiting

www.elicense.ct.gov and the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) may be contacted to verify

whether an individual has been approved as early childhood education consultant. The

regulations prohibit a program staff from serving as the early childhood educational consultant at

a program where they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative

role. Secondly, the education, experience and expertise of a potential consultant should be

examined carefully, so that the person’s qualifications match the unique needs of the program. It

is also important that the program and consultant share with each other their philosophy and

vision for the program. The arrangement should feel comfortable and there should be a feeling

of mutual respect.

Next, a plan for consultative services that will be provided should be clearly documented and

understood by both parties. This written plan will serve as the foundation for the consultative

relationship. The agreement should address all of the services to be provided, including at a

minimum, those services required by the regulations. The frequency and scope of the services,

the roles and responsibilities, expectations, communication and documentation, etc. should all be

discussed and agreed upon. The written plan should be developed and signed annually by the

consultant.

Finally, the program should closely monitor the performance of all consultants to ensure that all

required duties are being performed in a manner that was agreed upon. All activities and

observations should be documented in a consultation log maintained at the facility.

Further information regarding consultation may be obtained by contacting the Connecticut Early

Education Consultation Network at https://www.ctaeyc.org/professional-development and the

Connecticut Nurses Association at http://ctnurses.org.

Sample agreement letter for early childhood educational, dentist or dental hygienist, social

service, and registered dietician consultant.

Consultant Services Agreement between Day Care and _______________

Consultative service shall include:

 annual review of written policies, plans and procedures

 annual review of education programs

 availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems

 availability, in person, of the consultant to the program

 consulting with administration and staff about specific problems

 acting as a resource person to staff and the parent(s)

 documenting the activities and observations required in this subsection in a consultation

log that is kept on file at the facility for two (2) years

_____________ _________

Signature Date

Agreement shall be signed yearly

Sample agreement letter for health consultant.

Health Consultant Services Agreement between Day Care and ________________

Consultative service shall include:

 annual review of written policies, plans and procedures

 annual review of education programs

 availability by telecommunication for advice regarding problems

 availability, in person, of the consultant to the program

 consulting with administration and staff about specific problems

 acting as a resource person to staff and the parent(s)

 documenting the activities and observations required in this subsection in a consultation

log that is kept on file at the facility for two (2) years

 the health consultant shall visit the program according to the following

schedule:______________________________________________________

 reviewing health and immunization records of children and staff

 reviewing the contents, storage and plan for maintenance of first aid kits

 observing the indoor and outdoor environments for health and safety

 observing children's general health and development

 observing diaper changing and toileting areas and diaper changing, toileting and hand

washing procedures

 reviewing the policies, procedures and required documentation for the administration of

medications, including petitions for special medication authorizations needed for

programs that administer medication

 assisting in the review of individual care plans for children with special health care needs

or children with disabilities, as needed.

_____________ _________

Signature Date

Agreement shall be signed yearly