Child Care Health Resource Library

Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) developed a A Guide to Creating “Safe Space” Policies for Early Childhood Programs, which includes: 

Part 1. Overview of Safe Spaces Policies

Part 2. How to Create a Safe Space Policy

Part 3. Key Resources for Parents and Providers

From PHSKC Child Care Health Program's February 2025 newsletter:

What to do if Immigration Comes to Your Child Care or Early Learning Program   

Employers have rights when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) goes to a business, according to the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). ICE agents do not always have a right to enter your business, stop or arrest workers, or take documents. You can review this guide (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Thai) on what you, as a program, can do to prepare, employers’ rights and responsibilities, and what employers can do after an ICE

Mission Statement: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.

NIRP has created an advisory with guidance for nonprofit organizations and social services providers, linked below.

DSHS's Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) created an interactive tool for Washington State that makes it easier to find services like food, housing, legal support, employment, health care, and more.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has created a Family Separation Rapid Response Team Resource flyer that lists trusted resources for families at risk of separation due to immigration-related detention or deportation. It includes links to sample immigrant safety plans, school guidance, community partners, legal supports, and information on Knowing Your Rights and training.

It is available in multiple languages on the DCYF website: Resources for Families Impacted by Immigration-Related Concerns.

For information about the Family Separation Rapid Response Team or to sign up to

King County's Child Care Health Program has developed care plan packets for providers to use.

As of August 2025, DCYF has endorsed the care plan packets developed by the King County Child Care Health Program for programs across the state to use. The updated care plans are now co-branded with the PHSKC and DCYF logos, and they satisfy WAC requirements for medical care plans in early learning programs. 

Care plan packets include:

• Allergy Care Plan Packet
• Asthma Care Plan Packet
• Diabetes Care Plan Packet
• Food Intolerance Care Plan Packet
• Seizure Care Plan Packet
• Individual Care Plan Packet

King County's Child Care Health Program presents forms for Tracking form for food allergies, intolerances, preferences, and special diets (Use for tracking all students with special dietary needs), Food Preference Form (Used for dietary preferences related to religious, cultural, or family preference (NOT related to an allergy or intolerance)) and Milk Substitution Request Form.

King County's Child Care Health Program presents care plans and authorization forms to support safe and compliant child care practices. Available forms include: General Medication Authorization, Individual Care Plan, Medication Authorization for Asthma, Medication Authorization for Allergic Reaction, Special Diet Statement, Skin lotion Skin lotion or lip balm authorization, Hand sanitizer authorization, Diaper cream/ointment authorization and log, Sunscreen authorization and log and Toothpaste authorization.

Caring for Our Children (CFOC) is a set of national standards that represent the best practices — based on evidence, expertise, and experience — for quality health and safety policies and practices in early care and education settings. CFOC Basics represents the minimum health and safety standards required in Head Start and is a subset of the CFOC national standards. Explore this collection to learn more about these important resources.

The full text of Caring for Our Children (575 pages) is available for free as a PDF or can be purchased as a printed book. 

Update October 2025: Caring For Our

King County's Child Care Health Program presents guidance on safe and effective toothbrushing practices in child care settings to promote oral health that includes tips on hygiene, supervision, and preventing the spread of germs during group brushing routines.

Downloadable PDFs are available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), English, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.