To enhance whole student wellness in support of health and learning by advancing school nursing practice.

Student access to health and learning. All day. Every day.

This newsletter takes NASN’s Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice approach.

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule allow a health care provider to disclose protected health information (PHI) about a student to a school nurse or physician?

Yes. The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows covered health care providers to disclose PHI about students to school nurses, physicians, or other health care providers for treatment purposes, without the authorization of the student or student’s parent. For example, a student’s primary care physician may discuss the student’s medication and other health care needs with a school nurse who will administer the student’s medication and provide care to the student while the student is at school. In addition, a covered health care provider may disclose proof of a student's immunizations directly to a school nurse or other person designated by the school to receive immunization records if the school is required by State or other law to have such proof prior to admitting the student, and a parent, guardian, or other person acting in loco parentis has agreed to the disclosure. See 45 CFR 164.512(b)(1)(vi).

The reporting period runs from Friday, October 29, 2021 through Friday, December 10, 2021. Many may have received a packet from the state with instructions; however, you can also access the packet HERE. Reporting is completed at http://www.artximmunize.com/Login.aspx.

Thanks to the generous support of Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron, the Lung Association will be offering 100 OAS Certified Facilitator Training scholarships. The Open Airways for Schools landing page on Lung.org has been updated with information about the scholarships and a registration form to apply. Under this scholarship, we are requesting that facilitators complete the training by 12/31/21, have ready-access to children with asthma to facilitate a program, and implement at least one OAS program to elementary-aged children (in-person or virtually) within the 2021-2022 school year. For questions, please email OAS@Lung.org.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is offering a free statewide program to help eligible participants conduct voluntary sampling and analysis for lead in drinking water at their schools and childcare facilities. This voluntary program offers free training and guidance on how to identify sources of lead in drinking water and how to reduce exposure to lead where children are cared for. The program is under development, but the enrollment period is coming soon. Learn more and sign up to receive advanced notification of the enrollment period from TCEQ.

The Department of State Health Services has partnered with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to support school-based COVID-19 screening testing activities intended to support open, in-person K-12 instruction. The program provides services to students, teachers, and other school staff that include COVID-19 testing primarily for screening and testing to slow the spread of COVID-19. The grant application is due on December 9, 2021. Read more about the COVID-19 school health support grant.

TSNO Region X held their membership meeting on November 16th, at the Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson. Members were invited to join in person or virtually. In person members enjoyed an Italian style dinner catered by Urban Eatz. 60 members attended with 20 in person. Children's Health in Dallas provided the webinar, "Supporting Students' Mental Health in School", receiving one contact hour. Children’s provided a virtual wheel that spun with the first 15 members that logged on virtually: Members, Ginger Tidmore of Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, and Vickie Whittle of Frisco ISD, were the winning members. They both won gift certificates from Children's Health for attending the event virtually.

We are still missing a few Region Presidents, so if you are a President or know one, please reach out to Denise Petherbridge as soon as possible! Lots of great things are happening!