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2025-2026 Child Health Training Program (CHTP) Information Page

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Important Dates  

Applications due: July 18, 2025

Required Live webinar Local Planning Document review:  July 30, 2025

Signed Local Planning Document:  August 15, 2025

Required Pre-Orientation Assignments for students and primary preceptors:  August 15, 2025

Registration/Payment deadline: August 29, 2025
*More information on the registration process and the application link are provided below.

Required archived Clinical Preceptor Orientation Webinar due by:  September 11, 2025

Required Live Orientation Webinar for students, supervisors, and preceptors:  September 11, 2025

Pre-Training Assignments: September 12 - October 9, 2025

In person Classroom Week One: October 13 - October 17, 2025

Supervised Clinical Practicum: October 20, 2025 - February 27, 2026

In person Classroom Week Two: March 9 - March 11 2026 


Course Overview
The Child Health Training Program (CHTP) is designed to provide a standardized curriculum for registered nurses (RN) in local health departments (LHD) to perform Early and Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Treatment (EPSDT) or Health Check screenings.

The course focus is on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Bright Futures evidence-based recommendations as the clinical framework. The course addresses all required components of the Health Check screening visit, focusing on the comprehensive pediatric history and the complete physical assessment. There is a strong emphasis on identification of problems, assuring appropriate consultation, referral and/or treatment of identified problems, along with documentation to support the quality of care and billing requirements.

The course is a stand-alone training; public health nurses are not required to have completed other pediatric or physical assessment training programs prior to enrolling in the CHTP; however, six months of experience in ambulatory pediatrics is strongly recommended.

The CHTP is designed to provide nurses in local health departments with the skills they need to perform physical assessments and to function under standing orders.
  • The course includes a supervised clinical practicum with local agency physician(s) or advanced practice provider(s).
  • The course requires an application. (Must be completed with clinical preceptor information and applicant's signature.)
The CHTP course objectives include:
  • Increase their knowledge and skills, as evidenced by successfully demonstrating their ability to complete a history and perform a comprehensive well-child assessment including the developmental, and psychosocial status of children and adolescents independently
    • Provide client-focused, age-appropriate anticipatory guidance to children, adolescents, and families.
    • Develop an appropriate plan of care based on consultation for clients with identified or suspected abnormalities.
    • Demonstrate and follow agency-appropriate nursing standing orders and clinical policies while following RN scope of practice.
    • Appropriately document (according to AAP Bright Futures recommendations, North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) guidelines and regulations, Health Check Program Guide requirements (HCPG),  agency-appropriate standing orders, and clinical policies)
Disclosures
  • 213 NCPD Contact Hours and CPH Recertification Credits may be earned upon successful completion. 
  • For successful completion, participants must attend 100% of the educational activity, make at least 80% passing grade on the final exam and complete the online course evaluations.
  • There will be no partial credit awarded.
  • No one with the ability to control the content of this activity has a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose.  
  • No commercial support has been received for this activity.  
  • This educational activity is being jointly provided by the Public Health Nursing Institute for Continuing Excellence (PHNICE) and the North Carolina Public Health Association.    
Provider Statement
The Public Health Nursing Institute for Continuing Excellence is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
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Medicaid Reimbursement for the Health Department
Successful completion of this course qualifies RNs to be rostered through the Office of the North Carolina Chief Public Health Nurse (OCPHN) with the NC Division of Public Health as a Child Health Enhanced Role Registered Nurse (CH ERRN). Once rostered, the CH ERRN is qualified to perform comprehensive pediatric histories and EPSDT (Health Check) screenings using the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Bright Futures evidence-based recommendations as the clinical framework. Rostered CH ERRNs provide comprehensive pediatric preventative evaluations in compliance with agency nursing standing orders, NC Medicaid billing guidelines, and the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

The Division of NC Health Benefits reimburses for Health Check Screenings performed by a rostered CH ERRN. The Medicaid reimbursement of Health Check visits by CH ERRNs is the same as for physicians or nurse practitioners at a minimum rate of $90.00; the cost of CH ERRN training can be recovered in as few as 28 billed Health Check visits. Child Health 351 Agreement Addenda (AA) funds may be used at the same rate to offset the cost of preventative visits for non-Medicaid, non-insured clients. Additionally, with Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) approval, agencies may use CH 351 AA funds to support the training of CH ERRNs.
 
The Child Health Enhanced Role Registered Nurse
The CH ERRN was established to increase access to preventative care for underserved and at-risk children. The NC Division of Public Health and the Division of Child and Family Well-Being have a memorandum of understanding with NC Health Benefits to train and roster CH ERRNs.  Only rostered CH ERRNs may bill NC Health Benefits for services or use Title V funds to support preventative services. CH ERRNs practice within the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act. Training and rostering allow the CH ERRN to bill for Medicaid services but does not extend the RN scope of practice.

OCPHN and the Child Health Program work collaboratively to support the CH ERRN. OCPHN consultants provide nursing scope of practice and billing and coding guidance. Regional Child Health Nurse Consultants (RCHNCs) provide HCPG and programmatic guidance and training as well as quality improvement resources.

CH ERRNs are jointly rostered with the agency – rostering is not transferable. If a CH ERRN changes agencies, the CH ERRN must reapply for rostering with the new agency. It is the responsibility of the CH ERRN and the agency to assure that the CH ERRN remains on the roster in order to be able to bill Medicaid for the child health screening completed by the CH ERRN. The agency is responsible for assuring compliance with rostering requirements and establishing the consultation support and infrastructure, including nursing standing orders, competency assessment and policies and procedures to support safe, effective and licensure compliant practice. 

Target Audience

The target audience is Registered Nurses who are currently working or who are preparing to work in well child clinics in North Carolina local health departments. Selection of applicant(s) is the responsibility of the local public health nurse supervisors and Directors of Nursing in cooperation with the Regional Child Health Nurse Consultants and the State Child Health Nurse Consultant. Applicants are not required to have completed other pediatric or physical assessment training programs prior to enrolling in the Child Health Enhanced Role Registered Nurse Program; however, six months of experience working in ambulatory child health services is strongly recommended. 


Cosponsors
  • Division of Child and Family Well-Being/Whole Child Health Section, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
  • NC Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
  • North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA)
  • Public Health Nursing Institute for Continuing Excellence (PHNICE)
The CHTP consists of distance learning sessions during which students must participate in clinical webinars and successfully pass the post-test for each topic. Also, two weeks of onsite classroom training, separated by 60 hours of clinical experience composed of comprehensive preventative visits for children from birth through 20 years of age.

During the practicum, students under the guidance of clinical preceptors will perform comprehensive histories and physical examinations on children and adolescents. Students must also complete additional clinical topic webinars, complete three clinical practice scenarios and submit four detailed write-ups (DBEs) documenting clinical findings, assessments, and plans of care for children seen.

Click here to access the 2025-2026 CHTP Course Outline 

Prerequisites
Completion of the North Carolina Credentialed Public Health Nurse (NCCPHN) Course for RNs. Please note:  Effective May 1, 2024, all RNs applying to the Child Health Training Program must submit proof of completion of the NCCPHN Course.  (Students may be dually enrolled in both courses.  If dually enrolled, students must enter estimated date of NCCPHN Course completion on CHTP application.)

Required Textbooks
The following texts are required for the course. 
  • Bright Futures:  Guidelines for the Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 4th Edition.
  • Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. Bates, Barbara. J. B. Lippincott Company, 13th Edition.
  • Bates’ Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 9th Edition
  • Pediatric Nutrition for Toddlers, School-aged Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: A Clinical Support Chart, Indexed Edition
Note:  The texts are included with registration and provided to students for this cohort.

 

Minimum Technical Requirements

A copier/scanner or a desktop scanner for scanning non-electronic homework assignments is necessary as students will upload assignments during the Child Health Training Program.

Students will need to have access to the internet. For the archived Clinical Webinars, you will need either speakers or a headset.  If you do not have the latest versions of the plug-ins (Adobe Reader) or web browsers listed above, please download them before starting the course. If you have questions or need assistance in verifying that you have the necessary equipment, or MS Teams access, please contact your agency’s computer support person. This is especially true if your employer utilizes firewalls for security. 
Note:  Documentation assignments use data from real patients and require HIPAA review and password protection or encryption to protect Personal Health Information (PHI).  Students should work with their supervisor or agency tech support to ensure they are able to password protect or encrypt assignments prior to submission of assignments.
 
Live webinars and faculty feedback sessions for students and preceptor(s) are delivered using MS Teams. Students and preceptor(s) will need a Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) agency or individual account access for these sessions. Adobe Connect is also used for archived webinars.  The agency should ensure the student’s ability to access and utilize MS Teams and Adobe Connect before the mandatory Local Planning Document (LPD) webinar. The RCHNC can address any questions related to access options during the Local Planning Document review.

Microsoft Teams Requirements:
Adobe Connect Requirements:
  • Hardware Requirements:  The Adobe Connect Technical Specifications and System Requirements, are hardware requirements that are generally standard across teleconferencing platforms.  Please review the specific requirements on this page, based on the type of operating system you have.
    • A sound card (most new computers have a sound card already installed)
    • Reliable, high-speed internet access (minimum of 1.8 Mbps upload speed per person & 10 Mbps download speed per person or higher; DSL/cable option is recommended, may use Wi-Fi if you have a stable and secure connection).  You can test your internet speed using this link: Internet speed test
    • An email account that can handle attachments and email encryption.
    • An up-to-date web browser listed on the Adobe Connect Technical Specifications page: 
      • Note: Mozilla Firefox (v 65.0 or above) or Google Chrome (v 70.0 or above) are the preferred browsers. 
  • Software Requirements:
Adobe Connect Link technical requirements can be found here.
  • To test your Adobe Connect Capabilities, you can complete a quick diagnostic test (should take 2 minutes or less) by visiting:
    • Adobe Connect Meeting Support Diagnostic Test
    • The diagnostic test will check:
      • Your operating system
      • Your browser
      • Connectivity (network connection)
      • Speed (upload and download speeds)
      • You will also have the option to set your speaker & microphone settings.
      • Please note and complete any recommendations.  Also note that your connectivity and speed may vary throughout the day, based on your provider and specific demands of your internet connection at the time of the test.
Student Requirements:  
  • Attend the Local Planning Document Overview Webinar. 
  • Submit agency Child Health policies to RCHNC.
  • Complete and submit the Pre-training and Post-training Self-Assessments
  • Attend live Mandatory Orientation Webinar.
  • Complete Pre-Training Assignments: Students will have access to webinars, videos, and reading assignments after the Orientation Webinar. Students will complete all Pre-training requirements, including reading and video assignments, archived webinars, and obtain a minimum score of 80% on all post-tests.
  • Students are required to participate in face-to-face training sessions for Weeks One and Two. 
  • Pre-Training   
    • Students will be given access to webinars, videos, and reading assignments during the Orientation Webinar. Students will complete all Pre-training requirements, including reading and video assignments, webinars, and obtain a minimum score of 80% on all assignments. Pre-training assignments must be completed before Week One.
  • Clinical Practicum:  (60 Hours of clinical experience required) 
    • The practicum is composed of comprehensive preventative visits for children birth through 20 years of age to include the following:   Performing the history and physical assessment, formulating a problem list and plans which may include consultation, referrals, or further interaction with the family (i.e., teaching), documenting in the agency record, and completing hearing, vision, and /or developmental screenings, if done by the student as part of the complete physical examination.  The estimated time spent with each child and documenting the visit is approximately two hours.
    • Students must see a minimum of 30 children/youth with a minimum of five from each required age group: 0-2; 3-5; 6-10; & 11-20.
    • The primary preceptor will observe the student and complete the required Clinical Assessment Tools.
    • Clinical Practicum Progress reports must be submitted. Maintain and submit Clinical Logs to demonstrate progress toward meeting practicum requirements.
  • Archived Webinars via Adobe Connect
    • Students must review all webinars and complete a post-test by due dates of the webinar with a minimum score of 80%.
  • Live webinars via MS Teams
    • Students must attend all webinars and complete a post-test within two weeks of the webinar with a minimum score of 80%.
  • Practicum Check-ins with faculty via Microsoft Teams
  • Assignments to be submitted include:
    • One Documentation Check sheet assignment.
    • Four Documentation by Exception (DBE) visit documentation assignments must be reviewed by the primary preceptor before submission. The Director of Nursing/Nurse Supervisor/or designee must review and sign off on each write-up before submission to prevent an inadvertent HIPAA breach.
    • Three Clinical Practice Scenarios (CPS) will be completed with the primary preceptor to reinforce the critical thinking process.

    • Monitoring Assignment Students will complete a peer review of 2 patient charts using the Child Health Well Child Care Record Review Tool. Patients need to be from two different age groups. Students and supervisor will sign and submit attestation by email.  

  • CHTP Evaluation: An evaluation must be completed to receive the Certificate of Completion and to become rostered.
  • Scores: 
    • Obtain a Pass on all DBE and CPS assignments.
    • Obtain a minimum score of 80% on all checkoffs and post-tests.
    • Receive a rating of "satisfactory" for Two Clinical Assessment Tool Evaluations by the student's primary preceptor.
    • Obtain a minimum score of 80% on the final examination which includes two CPS and 60 multiple-choice questions.
Supervisor’s Requirements:  
  • Ensure appropriate policies, procedures, and competencies are in place to support the RN. 
  • Ensure agency policies are submitted to RCHNC. (Refer to CH Policy Checklist) 
  • Ensure consistent access to preceptors for consultative support. (Refer to Section II) 
  • Agree to facilitate the learning experience during the training period (time for assignments and accessibility).
  • Agree to assess student learning requirements and make appropriate accommodations to support successful completion of course requirements, which may include providing a quiet environment in the agency to complete assignments, utilizing a flexible schedule, or allowing students to work from home. 
  • Schedule an initial planning session with the student and preceptor(s) to coordinate calendars and ensure the completion of course assignments.
  • Required attendance: LPD Overview Live Webinar, Orientation Live Webinar, and Practicum Check-in Webinars with faculty. 
  • Facilitate application of skills during practicum, including arranging for 60 hours of clinical practicum time during which the student is relieved of other duties, and ensuring the primary preceptor is available to support the learning process.
  • Facilitate regular check-ins with the preceptor(s) and student to ensure successful completion of practicum requirements.
  • Review or designate a reviewer and sign off on each write-up before submission to prevent an inadvertent HIPAA breach.
  • Monitoring Assignment will be completed by the student with the supervisor or designee.  Students will complete a peer review of 2 patient charts using the Child Health Well Child Care Record Review Tool and submit attestation. 
  • Periodic check-ins with the student and preceptor(s) to assess the student’s progress toward meeting the CHTP Course requirements.
  • Participate in assignment feedback between the faculty and student as requested.
  • If applicable, schedule periodic check-in conference calls with the partnering agency that has agreed to provide and serve as the clinical practicum experience to assess the progress of the student’s course requirements and to address any identified questions or concerns. 
  • Review and sign the Clinical Practicum Hours and Patient Log form before Week Two.
Primary Preceptor Requirements:  
  • Serve as clinical faculty during the clinical practicum, providing oversight and mentorship for the student including consistent accessibility for consultation and re-assessment of the client. The primary preceptor must have a face-to-face consultation with the patient in order to bill.   
  • Complete a Self-Assessment and meet with clinical faculty to identify areas for improved support during the practicum. .
  • Complete the mandatory archived Preceptor Orientation webinar and submit the Attestation of Completion form.  
  • Attend the mandatory live CHTP Orientation webinar. 
  • At the beginning of the clinical practicum, the primary preceptor must observe and evaluate a minimum of two complete pediatric assessments utilizing the Clinical Assessment Tool for each age group prior to the student performing the assessments independently.  Document the students’ performance of one assessment utilizing the Clinical Assessment Tool at the beginning and end of the course.  
  • Attend the mandatory live Clinical Preceptor Check-in Webinar. 
  • Review the four DBE assignments before the student’s submission to ensure appropriate documentation based on agency policies and procedures, regulatory Health Check Program Guide (HCPG), and North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) licensure requirements are met.  
  • Collaborate with the student to complete the three Clinical Practice Scenarios (CPS).   
  • Participate in faculty feedback for each assignment and work with the student to ensure understanding of the feedback sessions for each assignment and work with the student to ensure understanding of the feedback 
  • Participate in Practicum Check-in meetings with students and supervisors. 
  • Review and sign the Clinical Practicum Hours and Patient Log form prior to Week Two. 
Secondary Preceptor Requirements:  Provide oversight and mentorship for the student during the practicum, including consistent accessibility for consultation and reassessment of the client. Must have a face-to-face assessment with the patient in order to bill. 
 

Expectations of Agency

For successful completion, the agency must:
  • Agree to provide a primary preceptor experienced in pediatric well-child assessments and  documentation policies, and ensure the primary preceptor has designated time to provide clinical mentoring while the student completes the preventative visit, review and provide feedback on assignments prior to submission, and complete required webinars.
    • The CHTP requires that the primary preceptor be either a physician or an advanced practice provider.
    • Rostered CH ERRNs with a minimum of two years experience may serve as secondary preceptor. The purpose of the secondary preceptor is to serve as a backup to the primary preceptor. 
  • Assure time to complete course assignments and provide experienced preceptor with designated time to spend with the student. 
    • 50% of the FTE should be focused on the CHTP beginning two weeks prior to Week One (prep requirements) through the end of Week Two.
    • The primary preceptor is responsible for ongoing mentoring and review of the participants assignments; it is estimated that this time commitment would average 2 hours per day, or 10 hours per week.
​​​​Requirements for the 60-hour Clinical Practicum
The practicum is composed of clinical visits with children in need of a comprehensive assessment. The estimated time spent with each child and documenting the visit is approximately two hours. The 60-hour clinical practicum is composed of time spent:
  • Performing the history and physical assessment
  • Formulating a problem list and plans which may include consultation, referrals, or further interaction with the family (i.e., teaching)
  • Documenting in the agency record
  • Completing Hearing, Vision and/or Developmental Screenings, if done by the student as part of the complete physical examination
Requirements for Initial Rostering:  Completion of CHTP and receipt of the official initial rostering letter from the NC DPH Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse. Graduates of the CHTP may not independently perform the Well Child Health Assessment or bill for services until they receive the official rostering letter from the Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse.  


CHTP Program Follow-up
March 16 - June 15, 2026

RCHNC follow up with the CHERRN and Clinical Preceptor and Supervisor within two weeks to:
  • Answer questions
  • Provide any needed resources
Rostering
CHTP Faculty will document completion of all course requirements and submit information to the DPH Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse for Initial Rostering. 
The DPH Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse will send the Initial Rostering Letter within four weeks of completing CHTP. The RN may not independently assess clients or bill for services until they are officially rostered.

RCHNC Onsite Visit & Chart Audit within first three months to assure:
  • The newly rostered CH ERRN, supervisor, and consultant provider fully understand the RN Scope and practice requirements
  • Documentation meets NC Medicaid and CHERRN role requirements
  • Appropriate consultation resources and policies and procedures are in place
  • Review Annual Re-Rostering Requirements
    • 100 clinical hours and a minimum of 50 preventative visits (clinical hours include completion of history and physical assessment).
    • 10 approved continuing education contact hours
Maintaining status as a Rostered Child Health Enhanced Role Registered Nurse: CH ERRNs are not rostered independently. The CH ERRN must be employed with an agency that is responsible for providing the infrastructure to support practice; Both the agency and the CH ERRN are required to notify the Office of the Chief Public Health Nurse if there is a change in employment with the agency.  Your RCHNC will provide and review the current Policy on Remaining Rostered as a Child Health Enhanced Role Registered Nurse.
 
Application and Registration 
You must complete and submit the Application for the Child Health Training Program.  (See the link below for access to the application)   After application submission and review by your RCHNC, the student, primary preceptor, and supervisor must participate in the LPD Review on July 30, 2025.  You will meet with your RCHNC for any last minute questions, review of and signing of the LPD by August 15, 2025.  You will then be provided the link to register for the program.
 
Click here to access a PDF version of the application.  Applicant may utilize this document to gather necessary information to assist completion of the application.

Click here to access the application

Course Registration Fees  
Course Fee: $2500 for full course including clinical practicum.  After your application is approved, you will receive a link to the online registration form from your Regional Child Health Nurse Consultant. Checks will be made payable to NCPHA.  *Important: The registration fee must be received or postmarked no later than August 29, 2025 or your registration will be CANCELLED. 

Hotel Accommodations
The Child Health Training Program will be held at the Aloft Hotel in the conference room Weeks One and Two.  A block of rooms is being held for students for each of the two weeks that training will be face-to-face.  Students should contact the hotel and make reservations once you receive your registration confirmation.  Contact information is as follows.

Aloft Chapel Hill
1001 South Hamilton Road
Chapel Hill, NC  27517

Link for Reservations:  
Click here to book your group rate for NC Department of Health and Human Services or call for reservations at 1-844-631-0595 for Week One 
  • Last date to book reservations for Week One at the group rate of $102.00 (plus state and local tax) per night is September 12, 2025
Click here to book your group rate for NC Department of Health and Human Services or call for reservations at 1-844-631-0595 for Week Two 
  • Last date to book reservations for Week Two at the group rate of $102.00 (plus state and local tax) per night is February 6, 2026

Contact Information for questions regarding hotel accommodations:
Angie Moody RCHNC
Angie.moody@dhhs.nc.gov


If you have any questions regarding the CHTP, you can contact Tara Lucas, State Child Health Nurse Consultant by email at Tara.Lucas@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 919-624-6652 or your RCHNC.

 
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