school health services improvement plan 2010-2011

1. school health services improvement plan 2010-2011 Linda M. Kauffman RN District School Nurse Coordinator October 19, 2010

2. 2009-2010 Accomplishments • The district’s health service website is updated with information about the district’s health services. Parents can now access information about health office practices, required health assessments and immunizations, medication policies as well as health assessment forms and medication forms. • All five district schools and the central office campus are equipped with AEDs. CPR/AED training has been offered and over 30 staff members have been certified. This is in addition to the CPR/AED training that takes place for coaches each year. • Staff at all schools received the same exact training for Blood Borne Pathogens, Food Allergies and Epi Pen administration and Child Abuse Reporting.

3. 2009-2010 Accomplishments • Health services worked with Pupil Services to review and update the 504 procedure manual to ensure that the district is identifying, evaluating and providing for those students who qualify under Section 504. • Supported the learning process by supervising the internship of a district high school student who is now pursuing an education in the nursing field.

4. 2009-2010 Challenges • The H1N1 threat became a reality. An incredible amount of time and planning went into this issue. Daily illness surveillance and communication with State Department of Public Health personnel took place during the peak of the event. • Education of students, staff and parents about prevention strategies (hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette) and exclusion guidelines took place in all district schools. • Parents received updated factual information.

5. H1N1 Continued • At its peak two of our elementary schools saw absentee rates nearing 30%. These rates may have been inflated by fear despite our best efforts to dispel that fear with knowledge. • We worked closely with our local health department and our town emergency management team to facilitate two H1N1 vaccination clinics.

6. Regional School District #17 is Unique • Through this process we did learn that being a regionalized school district can be a challenge in itself when it comes to health issues and mass dispensing of vaccinations/medications. • Haddam families are serviced by the Chatham Health District. • Killingworth families were serviced by a private physician. • When vaccinations/medications are being dispensed by the State Department of Public Health then Haddam families are included in a Mass Dispensing Area serviced by the Middletown Health Department and Killingworth families are included in a Mass Dispensing Area serviced by the Connecticut River Area Health District in Old Saybrook.

7. 2010-2011 Health Service Goals • Development of a health service manual that will clearly define the responsibilities and expectations for members of the health service team. This manual will also provide standardized procedures for the completion of health service delivery in our district schools. • Continued facilitation of CPR/AED and First Aid training for district staff members • Implementation of a computer based professional development tool that staff will utilize to complete annual mandatory in service training.

8. 2010-2011 Health Service Goals • Participation in consistent health office site visits which will allow me to identify the health care needs at each individual school and ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students. • Redirecting the focus of the health office to include not only illness/injury care but also to promote the health and wellness of students and staff.