5501 Avent Ferry Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
ph: 919-859-2828
fax: 919-859-5668
Jancscc
Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy
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 to
If SBS/ABT is suspected, staff will:
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
Prohibited behaviors
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/
Parent web
American Academy of Pediatrics
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
http://dontshake.org/family-resources
The period of Purple Crying: http://purplecrying.info/
Facility web resources
Early Development & Well-Being, Zero to Three, www.zerotothree.org/early-development
Copyright 2010 Country Sunshine Children's Center. All rights reserved.
5501 Avent Ferry Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
ph: 919-859-2828
fax: 919-859-5668
Jancscc