FY2016EnvironmentalHealthSafetyProtocol-Early.PDFVIP

1 Table of Contents FY 2016 OHS Environmental Health Safety Protocol: Overview 3 Key Performance Area #1: Safe and Clean Environments 5 Key Performance Area #2: Safe and Sanitary Practices 15 Key Performance Area #3: Staffing and Supervision 21 Key Performance Area #4: Safe Transportation 31 2 FY 2016 OHS Environmental Health Safety Protocol: Overview Overview The Office of Head Start (the OHS) presents the FY 2016 Environmental Health Safety (EnvHS) Protocol. This instrument is used to gather information to assess grantee performance in ensuring safe and healthy environments for children, families, and staff. The EnvHS Protocol is used to assess Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) centers and classrooms, as well as Family Child Care (FCC) homes used to provide services to children. The Protocol will also be used in centers that provide socialization experiences for children receiving services through home-based and locally designed programs. The OHS uses the information about grantee performance gathered during monitoring reviews to evaluate multiple levels of performance, including determining program strengths, concerns, areas of noncompliance, and deficiencies. The EnvHS Protocol is designed to ensure that all Head Start programs are implementing and promoting healthy practices and routines, as well as providing safe and supportive environments in which children can learn and grow. The EnvHS Protocol is also used to review the safety of physical environments and Transportation services provided by the program. By monitoring environmental health and safety, the OHS strives to ensure that Head Start programs are supporting children’s health and development by providing safe learning environments. Organization of the Pr