CT Department of Public Health Regulations Regarding Consultants
Effective 11/6/08
19a-79-1a. Definitions of Consultants
[(21)] (23) "Early childhood education consultant" means an individual who is a credentialed early childhood specialist with [a Child Development Associate Credential,] an Associate, [in Arts, Bachelor of Arts] Bachelors, [Masters of Arts] Masters, [Doctoral of Education, or Doctor of Philosophy] or Doctoral degree in early childhood education, child development or human development or a four (4) year degree in a related field with at least twelve (12) credits in child development or early childhood education from an accredited college or
university, who has two (2) or more years experience administering a licensed child day care center that meets standards comparable to those in Connecticut;[.]
[(54)] (65) "Social service consultant" means a person who holds a baccalaureate degree in social work with at least one (1) year of social work experience under social work supervision, or a baccalaureate degree in a field that the [Commissioner] commissioner deems related to social work with at least two (2) years of social work experience under social work supervision;[.]
Health Consultant: [(50)] (59) "Registered nurse" means a person with a license to practice as a registered nurse in Connecticut in accordance with chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statutes;[.]
2) “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual licensed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 20-94a of the Connecticut General Statutes;[.]
[(44)] (50) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed to practice medicine in this or another state;[.]
[(45)] (51) "Physician assistant" means an individual who [has two (2) years of pediatric experience and functions under the direction of the consulting physician for the center and meets the requirements of sections] is licensed in accordance with section 20-12b of the Connecticut General Statutes and regulations adopted thereunder;[.
Nutrition Consultant:
(58) “Registered dietitian” means a person certified as a dietitian-nutritionist in this or another state;
Dental Consultant: [(16)] (18) "Dentist" means an individual licensed to practice dentistry in this or another state;[.]
(17) “Dental hygienist” means an individual licensed to practice dental hygiene in this or another state;
19a-79-4a (h) Staffing
(a) A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented.
(1) These services shall include:
(A) an early childhood educational consultant available to the operator and staff for advice and support regarding the educational content of the program; anyone approved as an early childhood consultant prior to January 1, [1994] 2009, will continue to be an approved early childhood educational consultant, except for good cause shown. Program staff shall not serve as early childhood educational consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role;
(B) a [physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse] health consultant available to the operator and staff for advice regarding the health of the children and the health program;
(C) a dentist or dental hygienist consultant available to the operator and staff for advice regarding the dental
health of children of dental health program;
(D) a social service consultant available to the operator and staff for advice regarding the emotional needs, staff support and the social service program; and
(E) a registered dietitian consultant available to the operator and staff for advice regarding nutrition and food service for those programs that serve meals.
(2) [The written plan for each consultive] Consultative service shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) annual review of written policies, plans and
procedures;
(B) annual review of [inservice] education programs;
(C) availability by telecommunication for advice
regarding problems;
(D) availability, in person, of the consultant to the
program[.];
(NEW) (E) consulting with administration and staff about specific problems;
(NEW) (F) acting as a resource person to staff and [parents] the parent(s);
(NEW) (G) documenting the activities and observations required in this subsection in aconsultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two (2) years; and
(NEW) (H) specific duties of the health consultant shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) making, at a minimum, quarterly site visits to facilities that serve children three (3) years of age and older; or for group day care homes, facilities that operate no more than three (3) hours per day, or facilities that enroll only school age children, semi-annual site visits. Facilities that are closed during the summer months may omit the summer quarterly visit. Site visits shall be made by the health consultant during customary business hours when the children are present at the facility;
(ii) reviewing health and immunization records of children and staff;
(iii) reviewing the contents, storage and plan for maintenance of first aid kits;
(iv) observing the indoor and outdoor environments for health and
safety;
(v) observing children’s general health and development;
(vi) observing diaper changing and toileting areas and diaper changing, toileting and hand washing procedures;
(vii) reviewing the policies, procedures and required documentation for the administration of medications, including petitions for special medication authorizations needed for programs that administer medication; and
(viii) assisting in the review of individual care plans for children with special health care needs or children with disabilities, as needed.
(3) [Program staff may not serve as consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision.] The commissioner, with good cause shown, may deny or revoke a consultant’s approval status as a consultant to licensed child day care centers and group day care homes.