Karla Cooper, RN, BSN, NCSN, CCHC-C

Karla Cooper is a Regional Child Care Nurse Consultant / Child Care Health Consultant Coach. She brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience with a primary focus in N.C. public health. She began her public health journey as a Child Health Nurse where she earned the certification as an expanded role nurse screener. Karla also was the lead nurse and worked with providers, environmental specialists and families in the community who had children with elevated lead levels. In 2007 she became a school nurse where she quickly became a Nationally Certified School Nurse and eventually served as the southeast president of the School Nurse Association of N.C. Karla has recently served as a Child Care Health Consultant in Wake County where she provided coaching and technical assistance for best practices in child care. She is passionate about trauma-informed care and staff wellness.

Teaching Interests

Karla is a trainer for early care and education providers in the areas of:

• Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care
• Administration of Medication in Child Care
• Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep and SIDS Risk Reduction in Child Care
• Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Emergency Treatment in Child Care
• Health and Safety Training

Karla is also interested in staff wellness, resilience and trauma-informed care in the child care settings.

Staff/Administrative Duties

As a regional child care health consultant coach, Karla serves as the primary source when licensed child care facilities have any health and safety needs or questions. She provides leadership in the assessment and development of child care health services in North Carolina, delivers consultation and technical assistance, provides training and educational materials, and conducts health and safety assessments.

Education

BSN, Nursing, Samuel Merritt College and Saint Mary's College of California, 2001