Exploring Program Quality Factors that Impact Child Health Services in Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs

Studies have shown that the dental and overall health status of migrant farmworker children is significantly worse than the national average and represents a public health disparity in need of attention. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate whether children in Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs have received dental and medical services, and 2) to examine the programmatic factors that impact child health service outcomes (i.e. having health insurance, a medical and dental home, and immunizations). Methods: Previously conducted surveys of all MSHS directors were analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative interviews were also done with health services coordinators in a subset of both high and low performing MSHS sites. Notes were coded and thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Survey results showed that significant numbers of children did not receive mandated dental and medical services and that variables such as language spoken by staff and age of children are statistically related to health services outcomes. Interview results suggest that staff language skills and the ability to work with children of varying ages, community collaborations, and having a seasoned health service coordinator are related to program performance. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that MSHS programs could increase the number of children receiving health services by having staff who are fluent in languages spoken by MSHS children and families and trained to work with children of varying ages, establishing community collaborations, and working to retain health service coordinators.