Health Services is a component of Student Intervention Services’ “Coordinated School Health Program” and was designed to provide emergency care for illness or injury, prevent and control communicable disease and other health problems, and promote a safe school environment.

• default_titleThe provision of these health services is achieved through collaboration between the Health Care District of Palm Beach County (HCD), the Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD) and the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC).
• default_titleAll partners play an integral role in the delivery of basic health care to our students on a daily basis. These nursing interventions allowed an average of over 86% of the students receiving care to return to the classroom during the 2012-2013 school year.
  
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The School District is fortunate to have a School Nurse in every regular school including nursing service support for the alternative and charter schools. The primary goal of this program is to advance the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of all students.

Student Return to Class Rates:

• The Comprehensive Schools are:The Comprehensive Schools are:
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• default_titleAtlantic Community High School
• default_titleGlades Central Community High School
• default_titleCarver Community Middle School
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:The goals of the program are:
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• default_titleReduce risk taking behaviors that lead to teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
• default_titlePrevent abuse of substances such as alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• default_titlePromote access to counseling and health services.
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During the school year 2012-2013 there were 15,415 health room visits and more than 2,600 school health services provided. The return to class rate for these schools was 92%.

• The Comprehensive Schools are:Rams Health Clinic is the only School Based Health Clinic in Palm Beach County to provide these Full Health Services:
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• default_titleComprehensive physical services
• default_titleOnsite mental health services
• default_titleEasy or immediate access to healthcare
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:Rams is located in Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, and is a satellite clinic of the Palm Beach County Health Department.
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:Rams clinical services are provided by:
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• default_titleAdvanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
• default_titleLicensed Clinical Social Worker
• default_titleMedical staff assistant
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:Rams Healh Clinic provided the following types of services to students:
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• default_titleDiagnosis and treatment of acute illness and injury
• default_titleWell-child exams
• default_titleManagement of chronic health conditions
• default_titleBasic laboratory services
• default_titleMedication prescription services
• default_titleMental health services and interventional counseling
• default_titleEmergency dental care referral
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• default_titleBarbara Deslauriers - Barbara was nominated by her principal and the Student Intervention Services department for her collaborative health educational efforts at Jerry Thomas Elementary School. She worked closely with teachers to provide lessons in their classrooms on proper hand washing hygiene to prevent the spread of infections in her school. Barbara collaborated with the PE coach and the Health and Safety Committee to provide safety information and education about sun protection and the importance of good nutrition and adequate sleep. Her positive approach towards health in her school is appreciated by students, families, and staff.
• default_titleConnie Ficarra and Lisa Einsteder - Connie and Lisa were nominated by their principal, their nursing supervisor, and the Student Intervention Services department for maintaining a strong wellness focus at Palm Springs Community Middle School. This was evidenced by their participation in the school’s Wellness Fair, World Diabetes Day, monthly health newsletters and organizing the support from local government officials and sports personalities to encourage kids to focus on wellness. Connie and Lisa provided education about sun safety, the importance of general health, bone health, good nutrition and dental care as well as bullying prevention and substance abuse prevention. They also targeted specific wellness lessons to our special education students.
• default_titleAntonio Artero - Antonio was nominated by his principal and the Student Intervention Services department for his promotion of family and community wellness at South Grade Elementary School. He promoted an atmosphere of wellness through serenity in his school through his creation of butterfly gardens within his school. Antonio served as a school “health ambassador” to his community supporting PTO events and assisting families in need to access health care. His “holistic” approach to health has earned him both the respect of his school and his community.
• default_titleAnne Hedges, RN, MSN, NCSN – Anne led the largest initiative from the Health Care District of Palm Beach County to provide nursing services to children at The School District of Palm Beach County. She deserved our unconditional gratitude and admiration for helping us navigate the district’s path to wellness. Her vision and guidance in the development and implementation of the School Health Program ensures that children in our community stay healthy and are ready to learn. For this cause, this exceptional leader in our community was recognized at the District’s 2nd Annual “Wellness Celebration” on December 6, 2012 as a “Lifetime Supporter."
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• default_titleVision and Hearing screenings and case management are conducted within the school setting by our school nurses. In the 2012-2013 school year, the PBCHD contracted with the “Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program” to provide in-school free eye examinations for 887 students and eyeglasses to 807 students.
• default_titleHeight and weight and postural measurements are obtained annually to identify those students with emerging health conditions that require referral to primary health care providers for further evaluation.
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Volunteers recruited and coordinated by the Palm Beach County Health Department assist elementary school children to maintain good dental health through a weekly Fluoride Mouth Rinse Program in schools located in non-fluoridated areas. Children in non-fluoridated areas are at an increased risk for dental decay and fluoride containing topical rinses help reduce this risk.

The Dental Sealant Project, funded by the Marjorie S. Fisher Fund, has provided dental screenings for over 23,000 children and placed over 61,000 sealants on second grade students since 1997. In the 2012-2013 school year, dental staff from the Palm Beach County Health Department provided this program in 29 Title 1 schools (see table below), examining 2,113 children and placing over 6,100 sealants. This program utilizes a state of the art two dental chair mobile clinic on wheels called the “Tooth Fairy.” The team collaborates with school nurses to refer sealant program participating children needing urgent dental care. Forty-seven children were referred to health department clinics because of acute dental needs.

• default_titleDuring the 2012-2013 school year, data showed that 43% of students needed dental care and 11% had severe needs. On baby teeth, 36% of kids had evidence of dental decay and 36% of children had untreated decay – this was far above the national averages.
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The Palm Beach County Health Department - Dental Division’s “Coordinated Oral Health Access Referral Program” (COHARP) is a case management and referral program to help school children with acute dental needs. These children are referred from either the Dental Sealant Program, RAMS Health Clinic at Palm Beach Lakes HS, or from the school nurses in Palm Beach County schools. Children identified with immediate dental needs will have the ability to be seen for urgent care in one of the Palm Beach County Health Department clinics or contracted providers.

• default_titleOpen Airways for Schools – This program, provided by the American Lung Association, focused on self-management skills to better handle one’s asthma through recognition of asthma triggers and symptoms, proper use of medication, and the development of an asthma action plan. 283 students at 25 elementary schools received the program from October – November, 2012.
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• default_titleCommunicable Disease Control – The Palm Beach County Health Department’s Community & School Health Division provided immunization and other epidemiology expertise through annual student health record review, training and education.
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School staff members are trained annually to provide selected school health services under the guidance and training of licensed health professionals. The following training programs contribute to a safer school environment and provide immediate emergency response within our schools.

• The Comprehensive Schools are:CPR/AED/First Aid
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• default_titleCPR/AED/First Aid certification is provided to all designated emergency responders in schools/departments.
• default_titleDuring the 2012-2013 school year, 425 staff members were trained.
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:AED Site Coordinator Training
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• default_titleAED Site Coordinator online training allows immediate guidance on the maintenance and operation of AEDs within the schools/departments.
• default_titleDuring the 2012-2013 school year, 62 staff members were trained.
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:Health Room Designee/Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Training
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• default_titleProvides online education and health information as an adjunct to student specific health services training provided by school nurses within all schools.
• default_titleDuring the 2012-2013 school year, 112 staff members were trained.
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• The Comprehensive Schools are:Immunization and Medical Record Management
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• default_titleProvides updated information about school immunization requirements and appropriate student health record administration.
• default_titleDuring the 2012-2013 school year, 350 staff members were trained.
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