School Health Services Update: January 18th, 2019

Dear Colleagues,

With an impending snow storm looming for the coming weekend, I hope you – and all the children you serve – find yourselves in a warm, dry and safe home.  We look forward to seeing many of our at the regional meetings in the west, southeast and northeast next week!

Several issues have risen to our attention this week; one concerning the preparation of “home-prepared tube feeding preparations”.  I want to remind nurses of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Advisory Ruling on Nursing Practice, Title: Infusion Therapy, Advisory Ruling Number: 9204 most recently revised in May 2015 which states, that an RN or LPN must “Not administer an infusion solution that the nurse has not procured, removed from the sealed container, and prepared.  It is the Board’s position that it is not possible to safely verify the contents of a solution that has been removed from its outer, sealed container.”  We advise that this policy should be applicable to all solutions administered by a licensed nurse.

I also want to remind all nurses that Massachusetts General Law 94C permits only two types of medication administration programs in schools.  One program allows administration of medication ONLY by licensed nurses – that is ONLY by an RN or LPN.  The other program, the School Nurse (RN) managed program is permitted under 105 CMR 210 which allows for delegation to unlicensed personnel under certain circumstances and ONLY IF THE SCHOOL OR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH for this type of medication administration program.  Please contact your Regional consultant (contact information at the end of this email) if you have any questions. 

Thank you for all you do – every day!  Wishing you a restful weekend!
Mary Ann and the School Health Team

PS…Go Patriots!!

Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.  – Roald Dahl, writer

SCHOOL NURSES IN THE NEWS!

We welcome Cynthia Tomlin, M.Ed, RN, NCSN, as the Central Region Consultant! Cynthia has 18 years of school nursing experience in addition to wound care and health care sales. Please see the Regional Consultant Contact Information at the end of the email for information on how to reach Cynthia in her new role!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following School Nurses who have achieved National Certification as a School Nurse: Littleton school nurses . Christine Porell, RN from the Littleton Public Schools, and Shannon Fredrick, RN, School Nurse in Minnechaug High in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District We are so happy to recognize their achievement!

In December, an article in the Sandwich Enterprise reported the dangers of vaping and noted the coordinated school district activities to prevent and curb the use of e-cigarettes.  Elizabeth C Nightingale, BSN, RN, District Nurse Leader for the Sandwich Public Schools cited efforts that have been led by the nursing team and partnered with district health curriculum, the Sandwich PTA and Caron Treatment Centers.  Collaboration has organized a parent information night attended by 160 parents and educational programs for middle and high school students, as well as 5th and 6th grade students.  In addition, Cape Nurse Leaders will be discussing the topic to share strategies to combat the growing problem of vaping. https://www.capenews.net/sandwich/news/sandwich-schools-look-to-tackle-teen-vaping/article_aa188ee5-a454-5b9a-b0af-c7a93aec1183.html

From Doreen Crowe, RN, the Director of Nursing for the Wilmington Public Schools:

https://wilmingtonapple.com/2019/01/08/wilmington-high-school-middle-school-students-to-take-youth-risk-behavior-survey/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

SBIRT IN SCHOOLS: FAQS

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  document has been prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), in consultation with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in an effort to answer the questions that arise after attendance at SBIRT training sessions. This document does not replace the content, practice, or discussion of the SBIRT in Schools Introductory Workshop.  Please see the attached document. 

THE DIRECTOR POSITION FOR THE DIVISION OF VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION HAS BEEN POSTED 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced public health professional to provide strategic and visionary leadership for the Division of Violence and Injury Prevention within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP).  With a staff of 16 and a total budget of nearly $18M, the Division of Violence and Injury Prevention (DVIP) and its programs work to prevent injuries and violence, and to promote and provide effective response systems for those impacted.  These programs/initiatives are structured into three major units:  Injury Prevention and Control Program (focusing on unintentional injury), Suicide Prevention Unit, and the Child and Youth Violence Prevention Unit.  DPH is seeking a strong leader to help coalesce and think across these violence and injury prevention programs for a systemic approach to prevention, intervention, etc. and ensure alignment and strategic vision.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/career-opportunities-at-dph

SUICIDE PREVENTION WORKSHOP:  POSTVENTION: RESPONDING TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES FOLLOWING ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

You are invited to the Suicide Prevention – (#517) Postvention: Responding to Schools and Communities Following Adolescent Suicide scheduled on Friday, March 29, 2019.  Below are the details pertaining to this event.

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Training: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752

Registration fee: $35.00

Registration Deadline: March 25, 2019 (or when workshop reaches capacity)

 Continuing Education Credits: 5.5

Below click below to learn more information on this workshop and to register. 

Postvention: Responding to Schools and Communities Following Adolescent Suicide

Please be advised that you will need to select the appropriate Tab at the top of the page to view each page of the brochure (i.e. Summary, Agenda, Fees & Other, etc.).  Click on each tab to view the details pertaining to this event.  

THE SUICIDE PREVENTION – (#518) THE EVER-CHANGING CHALLENGES OF NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURY

You are invited to the Suicide Prevention – (#518) The Ever-Changing Challenges of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury scheduled on Friday, April 12, 2019. Below are the details pertaining to this event.
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Training: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston Providence Turnpike, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062, USA
Registration fee: $35.00

Registration Deadline: April 8, 2019 (or when workshop reaches capacity)

Continuing Education Credits: 5.5

Below click below to learn more information on this workshop and to register.
The Ever-Changing Challenges of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Please be advised that you will need to select the appropriate Tab at the top of the page to view each page of the brochure
(i.e. Summary, Agenda, Fees & Other, etc.). Click on each tab to view the details pertaining to this event.

See the link below for this webinar which  will provide the K-12 setting information on the effects a concussion can have on the brain’s ability to function at normal capacity and how this may cause potential problems for students in the school environment.

RETURN TO LEARN FREE WEBINAR 1/29 FROM 4PM TO 5PM:

http://www.ashaweb.org/news-events/webinars/return-to-learnconcussion-team-model/

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION RFR POSTED TO COMMBUYS

The RFR for Gun Violence Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery Services has been posted on Commbuys. More information concerning this RFR can be found at the following link: https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?bidId=BD-19-1031-BCHAP-BCH01-32811&parentUrl=activeBids  Applications are due 2/20/19 at 4PM.  Please feel free to share the link with your community networks.

The Department of Public Health has received $10M in funding for a pilot program that will focus on neighborhood-based gun and violent crime prevention. This program will target out-of-school youth and young adults aged 17 to 24 to prevent gun violence and other violent crime in neighborhoods and municipalities with the highest rates of gun violence in the Commonwealth and is intended to complement existing programs including the Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI), Safe and Successful Youth (SSYI) Grant, and/ or DPH Primary Violence Prevention through Positive Youth Development Grant (PVP). The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Child and Youth Violence Unit in the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention is seeking applications from non-profit organizations to provide prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for young people impacted by gun violence and other forms of violent crimes. This procurement seeks to create and expand Positive Youth Development programming for young people by providing supportive services that assist young adults 17-24 years of age and out of school youth. An innovative aspect of this procurement includes supporting networks and communities where youth are at elevated risk for escalation of violence in their lives or who are currently involved in committing acts of violence in the Massachusetts communities with highest rates of gun violence.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM: STOP THE BLEED PROGRAM

The Injury Prevention Program at Boston Children’s Hospital has recently introduced a Stop the Bleed program to educate and empower community members to respond to emergencies, how to recognize life threatening bleeding, and what to do to control bleeding until EMS arrives. A person with life-threatening bleeding can die in 5-10 minutes, so quick and knowledgeable bystanders are important to victims’ survival. Participants of the program will become familiar with the ABC’s of bleeding control, how to use a tourniquet, wound packing, and compression. Our 1-hour course targets after-school program counselors, teachers, school nurses, and high school students. Please reach out to the Injury Prevention Program at 617-355-7332 or email injurypreventionprogram@childrens.harvard.edu if you are interested in bringing this program to your school or organization.  If you are interested please contact them directly! 

SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT COMMUNITY

Attached is information about 4 scholarships the It’s My Heart New England Chapter is offering to high school students.  Each one is in the amount of $1,500 for 2019.  The scholarships are awarded to qualified high school and college students who either have been diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), been the recipient of a heart transplant or those who have a family member (sibling, child, parent) or close relative diagnosed with CHD.  There are other requirements which are listed in the attachment.  If you would like more information about our group, just check out our website.  You can also access information about the scholarships there as well. http://www.itsmyheartnewengland.org

 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Lynda Di Vasta

Family Committee-Events Coordinator

It’s My Heart New England Chapter

Phone: 351-201-1533 / Cell: 617-378-1825

Website: http://www.itsmyheartnewengland.org

UPCOMING EVENTS: FIRST EVENT; TRANS YOUTH & FAMILY SUMMIT

There are two incredible opportunities for education and community coming up this February in our general area. Please see below for more information about each event:

First Event Parent and Family Day- February 3, 2019

First Event is one of the longest running conferences in the U.S. for transgender and gender expansive people and those who love and support them. The conference is January 30 through February 3, 2019 at the Best Western Royal Plaza hotel in the Boston area. First Event is hosted by Trans Club of New England (TCNE). Though GBPFLAG is not able to be as involved in First Event this year as we would like, we are proud that GBPFLAG parents are leading the planning for the Youth and Family track. Next year, we have every intention of supporting the event in the manner we did in 2018.

<!Learn more

> Check out the schedule

·    Register TODAY!*

* Registration goes up 25% after January 30th, so it’s less expensive to register on-line than to register as a walk-in.

Trans Youth and Parent Summit – February 9, 2019

The Trans Youth Summit is a free event for people 24 years old and under who identify under the transgender/nonbinary/gender expansive umbrella. This year, we will be celebrating the Summit’s 10th anniversary and convening over 250 people! In addition to the youth segment, the Summit offers separate tracks for parents/ guardians/ caregivers of transgender youth in order to provide support, information, resources, and networking. This summit is put on by BAGLY, MTCP and GBPFLAG.

• Learn more
• Register for youth
• Register for parent/guardians/caregivers

NUTS & BOLTS OF SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Mary Ann Gapinski, MSN, RN, NCSN
Director of School Health Services
MA Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street – 5^th Floor
Boston, MA  02108
mary.gapinski@state.ma.us
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/school-health-services
SBIRT information:  www.masbirt.org/schools