Early Childhood Health and Safety Websites

The following websites are highlighted as particularly helpful child health and safety resources for families, as well as for professionals who work with young children and their families.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The AAP is the leading authority in child health. The website includes health resources such as the Health Topics Index and the Parenting Corner which can be accessed through the toolbar at the top of the home page.

Be A Smart Mouth

Be a Smart Mouth is Colorado's first statewide public awareness campaign to be launched by Oral Health Awareness Colorado (OHAC), a coalition of federal, state and community organizations. Get information about fluoride, brushing and more for both pregnant women and young children.

Bright Futures

Bright Futures is a national health promotion initiative. Its website includes publications on general child health, mental health, physical activity and nutrition, and oral health for professionals, as well as family materials. All publications are available to download at no cost.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This link goes straight to the A-Z Health topics index and provides information on nearly every health topic you can think of, from ADHD to Varicella Zoster (chickenpox).

A Healthy Baby is Worth the Weight

One in four Colorado women do not gain enough weight during pregnancy! These women are more than one and a half times as likely to deliver a low birth weight infant. That infant in turn is more likely to have serious health problems and long term disabilities, like cerebral palsy, sight and hearing problems and learning problems in school. Learn how much weight you should gain during pregnancy and tips for good nutrition.

Healthy Child Care Colorado

Healthy Child Care Colorado is an initiative within Qualistar Early Learning with the main goal of increasing health and safety in child care. For information specific for child care providers, scroll down to the "For Providers" section. Helpful resources available for download include the Infectious Diseases in Child Care Manual, the General Health Appraisal Form (a standard health form for Colorado early care and education programs) and information about child care health consultation.

Immunize Colorado's Kids

Sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, this website gives you information about vaccines, suggested immunization schedules and a list of Colorado clinics.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Care (English)

Healthy Kids, Healthy Care (Spanish)

Designed for parents, Healthy Kids, Healthy Care contains information on 34 key health and safety practices for parents and families to look for when evaluating and choosing child care/early education programs.  Parents can also use the resources to improve the quality of their child's current program.  Developed by the National Resource Center for Health Safety in Child Care and Early Education, all materials may be downloaded in printer friendly handouts.

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC)

The National Resource Center is located at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.  Its website includes a wealth of information resources for improving the health and safety in child care and early education programs.  Caring for Our Children (the National Health and Safety Performance Standards) as well as all 50 states child care licensing regulations are available in full text on the site.

Vaccine Information

This national website contains immunization information about vaccine-preventable diseases for the general public as well as for professionals.

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect

This website provides information for families and professionals related to child abuse and neglect, including Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect, An Overview of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.

The websites and resources listed do not necessarily reflect Smart Start Colorado's official position. Inclusion in this website does not constitute endorsement or promotion.