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The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (KAAP), represents more than 425 pediatric health care providers. With support from the state’s largest professional association of educators, Kansas NEA, we urge state officials in Kansas to prioritize children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we recommend providing access to the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers and support professionals who work most closely with students. Further, as we wait for a vaccine and to support a safe return to in-person learning, teachers and staff should have access to state-provided personal protective equipment that is medical-grade. Like healthcare workers and first-responders, dedicated education professionals are working on the frontlines of our collective battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping our education institutions safe...

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Promote reading or hand-washing or both with these exclusive, high-quality shirts. They are $25 each (includes tax and shipping) with all proceeds benefiting the Kansas Pediatric Foundation.  Click here to order

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Safe Kids Kansas has provided this brochure (a publication of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) with lots of information to keep children safe over the holidays. Click here to download

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The Fall Progress in Pediatrics' CME Webinars are recorded and available to registrants. Register here!

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At the current time there is no clear legal definition as to what constitutes an unsupervised child.  In determining if a child is old enough and mature enough to be left alone, a number of factors considered in tandem assists in the determination.  They include:  Chronological age: Young children from 0-6 years should not be left alone for even short periods of time.  Children 6-9 years should be left for only short periods, depending on their level of maturity.  The factors to follow should also be considered.  Children 10 and above probably can be left for somewhat longer periods, again dependent upon the other factors.How long the child is alone: It is one thing for a parent to leave a...

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 VotER is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501c3-affiliated organization that a growing number of hospitals and residency programs have been partnering with. Their vision is to help create a future where those most hurt by the healthcare system are empowered to fix it by inviting their voices into the democratic process through voter registration in health care settings. COVID-19 has added new urgency to this work.  The Healthy Democracy Kit helps healthcare providers register employees or patients to vote or request their absentee ballot using an ID badge backer that has a text short code on it so patients can access the platform on their own phones. Watch the short video below. Over 10,000 Healthy Democracy Kits have been ordered thus far and there is a competition among some programs! This...

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The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (KAAP) recognizes that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. While academics are important, children also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that are difficult to replicate online.  While returning to school is important for the well-being of children, it is important to pursue re-opening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers, and staff. Decisions about when to return to classrooms and how that is accomplished should be driven by science, so it is done as safely as possible. Guidance should come from public health agencies based on evidence, not politics.  Public health experts should tell...

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Congratulations to AdventHealth Ottawa Pediatrics for earning a 4 Star Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation.  While earning the designation the clinic worked to make policies and environmental changes supportive of breastfeeding. Staff was educated on how to best encourage mothers to reach their breastfeeding goals, and what kind of community support is available when experts are needed. AdventHealth Ottawa Pediatrics joins 18 other practices in Kansas who have earned the Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice designation and are making breastfeeding support a priority in their practices.

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The Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatric (KAAP) understands that racism is a public health crisis. All children and adolescents should feel safe and have access to quality care that is essential to their health. Children and adolescents of color, we see you, we care about you, and our hearts are with you. As AAP stated last year in the policy statement "Racism and Its Impact on Child and Adolescent Health," racism's societal impact, particularly on communities of color and populations that are historically disenfranchised, is wide-reaching, systemic, and complex. A growing body of scientific research has found that racism harms children's mental and physical health in myriad ways. We are watching this play out now, in real time, and...

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KAAP members: please use the social media messages and graphics to amplify the message to families and communities that pediatricians are available and OPEN FOR CHILDREN. Did we miss anything? If you would like to see a specific message, please contact Amy at amy.trollinger@kansasaap.org. Pediatricians are Open to Care for Children  KAAP Press ReleaseMask Guidance for School-Age Children (pdf)Mask Guidance for School-Age Children – SPANISH (pdf) Social Media Messages (pdf)Teaching "Six Feet" to KidsPhysical Distancing (animals)Physical Distancing (objects)Sports PhysicalsYou've been doing enough - Call Your PediatricianWell-Checks and ImmunizationsCall your PediatricianKeep Vaccines Up to DateShould My Child Wear a Mask?Help Your Child Wear a MaskBe a Mask HeroImmunizations and Well Check Visits for Babies Encourage Families to Stay Home Children and Masks...

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