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PREVENTION OF
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME and
ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA POLICY



Photo by Italic on Unsplash



The staff at Country Sunshine Children's Center believe in preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) it is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting healthy development, providing quality childcare, and educating families.


SBS/AHT is the name given to a form of physical child abuse that occurs when an infant or small child is violently shaken and/or there is trauma to the head. Shaking may last only a few seconds but can result in severe injury or even death. This policy is developed in order to remain in compliance with NC State law rule 10ANCAC 09.0608.



Procedure/practice





Recognizing



Children are observed for signs of abusive head trauma including irritability and/or high pitched crying, difficulty staying awake/ lethargy or loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, inability to lift the head, seizure, lack of appetite, vomiting, bruises, poor feeding/sucking, no smiling or vocalization, inability of the eyes to track and/or decreased muscle tone. Bruises may be found on the upper arms, rib cage or head resulting from gripping or from hitting the head.



Responding



If SBS/ABT is suspected, staff will:


  • Call 911 immediately and inform the director
  • Call the parents/guardians
  • If the child stops breathing, staff will perform CPR


reporting



Instances of suspected child maltreatment in child care are reported to the Division of Child Development and Early Education(DCDEE) by calling 800-859-0829 or emailing webmasterdcd@dhhs.nc.gov. If this occurs in a child's home the director will report this to Department of Social Services at 919-212-7000



Preventions strategies to assist staff in coping with a
crying fussing, or distraught child



  • Rock the child, hold the child close, or walk with the child
  • Stand up, hold the child close, and repeatedly bend knees
  • Sing or talk to the child in a soothing voice
  • Gently rub or stroke the child's back, chest or tummy
  • Offer a pacifier or try to distract the child with a rattle or toy
  • Take the child for a ride in a stroller
  • Turn on music or white noise
  • All staff at CSCC are trained to call for help if they are ever feeling overly stressed in a situation with at child.
  • We will also provide support when parents/guardians are trying to calm a crying child and encourage parents to take a calming break.


Prohibited Behaviors


Behaviors that are prohibited include but not limited to:

  • Shaking or jerking a child
  • Tossing a child into the air or into crib, chair or car seat
  • Pushing a child into walls, doors, or furniture


Strategies to assist staff members understand
How to care for infants



  • How to Care for Infants and Toddlers in Groups, National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families

www.zerotothree.org/resources/77-how-to-care-for-infants-and-toddlers-in-groups


  • Relationships-Based Care Practices in Infant-Toddler Care:

​www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/nitr inquire may 2016 070616 b508compliant.pdf



Strategies to ensure staff members understand
the brain development of children up to five years or age



All staff take training on SBS/AHT within first two weeks of employment. Training includes recognizing, responding to and reporting child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment as well as the brain development of children up to five years of age. Staff review and discuss:


  • Brain Development from Birth Video the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families.

www.zerotothree.org/resources/156-brain-wonders-nurturing-healthy-brain-development-from-birth

  • The Science of Early Childhood Development, Center on the Developing Child.

developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-science-of-ecd/



Strategies to assist staff members understand
How to care for infants



  • How to Care for Infants and Toddlers in Groups, National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families

www.zerotothree.org/resources/77-how-to-care-for-infants-and-toddlers-in-groups


  • Relationships-Based Care Practices in Infant-Toddler Care:

​www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/nitr inquire may 2016 070616 b508compliant.pdf



Parent web





Facility web resources



  • Early Development & Well-Being, Zero to Three

www.zerotothree.org/early-development