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H1N1 (Swine) Flu and Child Care: Resources and Materials to Help Parents and Child Care Providers Reduce the Spread of Serious Illness

A dangerous form of the flu virus, know as H1N1 (swine) flu, continues to spread throughout the United States. As parents, providers, and child care professionals, it is particularly important that we prepare and plan for the H1N1 flu outbreak. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the illness and may experience more serious complications. Below are resources that may be helpful to you.

• Resources for Child Care Providers
• Resources for Child Care Parents
• NACCRRA Calls on President Obama to Provide Temporary Paid Sick Leave

Resources for Child Care Providers

• Guidance on Helping Child Care and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009-2010 Influenza Season (CDC)
• Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Child Care and Early Childhood Programs(CDC)
• Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and Child Care and Early Childhood Providers on CDC Guidance on Helping Child Care and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009–2010 Influenza Season (CDC)
• Flu.gov Social Media
• Questions and Answers about CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for Grades K-12 during the 2009-2010 School Year (Flu.Gov)
• Statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Sebelius and Acting CDC Director Dr. Besser About the Change in CDC's School and Child Care Closure Guidance,5/5/09

Resources for Parents

• Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Children and Family During the 2009-2010 Flu Season (Flu.gov)
• Action Steps for Parents if Child Care Programs are Closed or Children are Sick and Must Stay Home (Flu.gov)
• If Your Child Is Not Feeling Well (CDC)
• For Individuals and Families (Flu.gov)
• Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu (Formerly Swine Flu) Concerns (CDC)

NACCRRA recently called on President Obama to tap some of the $5.8 billion pandemic flu emergency funds, appropriated by Congress, to provide communities or states with funds to pay parents without sick leave to stay home for brief periods of time to care for their children.
Click Here for a copy of NACCRRA's Background Brief: "There is More We Can Do to Help Reduce the Spread of H1N1 Among Young Children."
Click Here for a copy of NACCRRA's Press Release.

Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information