Health Promotion
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The purpose of this component is to empower parents, guardians, caregivers and those involved with Aboriginal Head Start to increase control over and improve their health. More specifically, the centers encourage practices for self care, working together to address health concerns, and the creation of formal and informal social support networks. The ultimate goal is for those involved with Aboriginal Head Start to take actions that contribute to holistic health.

Aboriginal Head Start centers will:

1. ensure that all children are immunized according to territorial standards. This will be done in cooperation with parents/guardians through local health service providers;
2. ensure that qualified health professionals visit on a regular basis;
3. - ensure that the appropriate physical, vision and hearing assessments are done within the first month following registration and, in more remote communities, when arrangements are made for qualified personnel to do the assessments;

   - assist parents in ensuring that these assessments are done where required; and

   - assist parents to arrange for medical treatment where required.

4. - teach, model and encourage good dental hygiene in the program; and

   - may assist parents to arrange for dental examinations for the children;

5. access the assistance of Elders (for traditional healing circles and/or ceremonies), psychiatrists, psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapist and other specialists, if needed to meet the needs of each child;
6. develop and undertake either indoor and outdoor activities and games which include both children and staff to promote development of gross motor skills and participation in an active lifestyle; and
7. encourage parents to participate in activities that will promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

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