NOVEMBER NEWS FROM THE WEST
Here's what's going on in mid November ( vol. II)
A Message from Karen
Greetings from DPH! It has been a pleasure to spend much of my first weeks on the job at Regional Meetings and at the SCHENA training, which has meant lots of time with all of you! I would like to extend my gratitude, first and foremost, to all of those in the Boston office who have been so welcoming and helpful. Medication Administration applications are up to date thanks to the hard work of Evelyn Levenson and Caitlin Pettengill, and grant reconciliation forms and most payment vouchers are also out thanks to Juliet Berk. The five (including Bob Leibowitz) SHU staff, under the leadership of the Division of Child/Adolescent Health and Reproductive Health Director Jill Clark, are coming together as a team to support you in the important work you do. We are further supported by our six dedicated and incredibly resourceful Regional Consultants: Veronica Webb-Barrett (West), Janet Guertin-Moruzzi (Central), Jill Connelly (Metro-West), Ann Linehan (Southeast), Mary Jane O’Brien (Boston) and Shanyn Toulouse (Northeast). We could not have caught up with the med admin applications were it not for the help from Shanyn and Jill in particular, who came into the office over the summer to work on them. Department contact information has been updated on the School Health Unit website (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/school-health-services-contact-information) with the exception of Evelyn’s contact information as the interim Medication Administration Program Coordinator (Evelyn.Levenson@MassMail.State.MA.US). As I explained at the regional meetings, communications from the Department and your Regional Consultants will be streamlined via bi-monthly regional newsletters. We welcome your feedback on this new format!
I would like to extend my appreciation, in advance, for your patience with DPH staff as we all navigate the many transitions before us. This is a season of change for ALL of us, and whether you are someone who embraces change, or runs from it, it can still be unsettling, and may trigger feelings of worry, anxiety and frustration. I cannot stress enough that we are all in this together, and this is a time when we can utilize all those great community building skills we possess as school nurses and come together to support one another and build each other up. I look forward to working together with all of you to continue to provide the young people of Massachusetts with world-class school health care!
Karen
THANK YOU! to ALL who were able to attend the West Regional Meeting
IMPORTANT NOTE about Getting Credit for Meeting Attendance:
I've heard from several of you that you haven't received the e-mail link that you need to complete the evaluation in order to receive credit for attending. If you registered on the BU SHIELD website, an automatic email has been (or will be) sent to the e-mail address you used when you registered. If you registered using your home e-mail, for example, this is where the automated e- mail will be sent. Please check your junk mailbox also. If you attended but did not register on the BU SHEILD website you will need to go to www.bucme.org/live9789 and register ASAP. You will ONLY get credit IF you register through BU SHEILD. "Signing in" at the meeting will not "register" you. If you have any questions about receiving credit for the Regional meetings or need more immediate assistance or information please contact Gabby Fischetti at the BU CME office at shield@bu.edu or 617-358-5005.
Upcoming Meeting Reminders
CSHS Nurse Leader Meeting
This meeting is required for all CSHS funded Model and Affiliate programs
The meetings are also open to ALL other School Nurses. There is a fee for the CSHS Nurse Leader meetings. Please register HERE:
*If having trouble registering on any of the above links, please call 617-358-5005.
Tuesday, Dec 3, 2019, 08:30 AM
Double Tree by Hilton Westborough , MA
School And Community Health Equity Needs Assessment (SCHENA)
These meetings are required for all CSHS Model Programs and optional for CSHS Affiliate Programs. Those who are registered are able to access meetings and webinars using the following link: https://www.bucme.org/live/9569
*If having trouble registering on any of the above links, please call 617-358-5005.
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2019, 09:00 AM
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Clinical Updates
Regional News And Updates
Congratulations to the Franklin County School Nurse Collaborative on their 7th Annual Conference: "Diabetes Best Practices" Diabetes Care in the School Setting and 504 Essentials. The conference featured special guest speakers from Baystate Pediatric Endocrinology, Springfield, MA
"Technology is changing rapidly for those with Type 1 Diabetes. School Nurses are an important part of Care Team!"
Click below for an opportunity to participate in important research!
Professional Development and Other Meetings of Interest for School Nurses
Winter Webinar: School Medicaid Billing: Where DO I Start?
Thursday, Nov 21st, 3:30 - 5:00pm EST
Overview, Requirements, Expansion & the Massachusetts experience (3:30- 4:30pm EST)
Documentation specifics for SNAP Electronic Health Office Software (4:30 - 5:00pm EST)
1.0 Contact hour, $10
Jennifer Robinson, School Municipal Medicaid Expert
30 years in school finance, special education and Medicaid
For more information go to: Northeastern University School Health Academy neusha@northeastern.edu
Thursday, Nov 21, 2019, 03:30 PM
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Let's Talk About Sex: Health Education Pearls for School Nurses
2. Let's Talk About Sex: Health Education Pearls for School Nurses
Thursday, December 5th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm EST
1.0 Contact hour, $10
Beth Russet, DNP, FNP-BC, Northeastern University Assistant Clinical Professor
20 years as school nurse, midwife, and Family Nurse Practitioner on the rugged coast of Downeast Maine & teaching community and classroom based sex education.
For more information go to: Northeastern University School Health Academy <neusha@northeastern.edu>
Thursday, Dec 5, 2019, 03:30 PM
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Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference
The Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference is a regional conference that brings together people in Western Massachusetts who are interested in social justice and equity in K-12 schools, early childhood classrooms, and the surrounding communities.
Participants at this regional conference will examine the specific regional challenges that young people are facing in our education system which are central to their lives and to the vitality of our communities. As we examine the challenges, we will also look to each other for visions and practices that can guide our work towards transforming education for social justice.
Conference sessions will cover a variety of social justice and equity topics as they relate to K-12 schools.
For more information, contact:
Erin Sullivan, Professional Development
413.588.5981 esullivan@collaborative.org
Saturday, Mar 14, 2020, 08:30 AM
Integrative Learning Center, UMass Amherst, MA
Four-Part Webinar Series
Questions for the Group:
Please send your questions to webbv@springfieldpublicschools.com and they will be shared with the group. You will receive direct feedback from the responding group member.
Career Opportunities
Holyoke High School, North Campus is seeking a Long Term Per Diem Registered Nurse to work alongside the high school's existing second nurse. Approximately December through March 2020.
- Orientation and training provided
- Monday through Friday 7.5 hours daily (Students in session 8:10-2:55 Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., and until 2:05 on Wed. $35 per hour
- Follows HPS District Schedule
- Weekends, holidays, winter vacation and February vacation are off
- Must be a Registered Nurse (RN)
For more information contact Cynthia Carbone, MEd, MSN, RN, Director of Health, Wellness, and Nursing at ccarbone@hps.holyoke.ma.us
NEW DPH career postings on Mass Careers:
For additional information, click on the job links below:
Current DPH employees should use the internal link.
If you share with friends and colleagues, they should use the external link.
SANE II, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Regional Coordinator for Central MA – Bureau of Community Health & Prevention
Internal Career Site:
https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/in/jobdetail.ftl?job=190008CF
External Career Site:
https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=190008CF
Click Here for more information on DPH Career Opportunities.
Check out DPH on Twitter and LinkedIn
Login Questions: Mass HR Employee Service Center (617) 979-8500
MA Deprtment of Elementary and Secondary Education
MDPH Infectious Disease Reporting
INFECTIOUS DISEASE: ANY infectious disease question, report, or inquiry should be directed to the State Lab at (617) 983-6800
MA Department of Public Health: School Health Unit
Contact Information:
Karen Robitaille MBA,MSN, RN, NCSN
Director of School Health
Phone(617) 624-5427
Email: Karen.Robitaille2@state.ma.us
Caitlin Pettengill, DNP, RN
Assistant Director of School Health
Phone: (617) 624-6058
Email: caitlin.pettengill@state.ma.us
Juliet Sithole-Berk, MPA, MSCED
Unit Coordinator
Phone: (617) 624-5447
Email: Juliet.Berk1@State.ma.us
Robert Leibowitz, Ph.D.
Epidemiologist
Email: robert.leibowitz@state.ma.us
Phone: (617) 624-5474
Fax: (617) 624-6062
Evelyn Levenson
Interim Medication Administration
Program Coordinator
Email: evelyn.levenson@state.ma.us
Phone: 617) 624-6013
Fax: (617) 624-6062
School Health Unit Information and Resources https://www.mass.gov/orgs/school-health-services
REMINDERS FOR CSHS FUNDED PROGRAMS:
CSHS Budget Questions:
Questions related to CSHS budget and spending can be directed to Juliet Berk at
juliet.berk1@state.ma.us
State Reports for Non-CSHS Funded Schools:
Epinephrine administration report form
https://mdph.checkboxonline.com/Epinephrine-Report-2020.survey
SBIRT data report form. This is an Excel spreadsheet that needs to be downloaded, completed, and then returned as an email attachment.
Single user version: SBIRT data collection form 2019-2020 (Single screener)
Multiple user version SBIRT data collection form 2019-2020 (Multiple screeners)
If the file does not automatically download, but opens in Excel, click “ok” when prompted then select “save as” and then save the file to a folder of your choosing (you can re-name the file if needed).
Asthma and Diabetes Survey questions may be directed via email to the project mailbox at DPH-BEH-Asthma@state.ma.us
or via telephone to 617- 624-5757. Please ask for the Pediatric Asthma Coordinator.
Concussion Report: Head injury and concussion information for schools, school staff, coaches, athletic trainers, and volunteers | Mass.gov
BMI report form. This report is required of districts that are not funded through the CSHS program.
CSHS-funded districts and schools should NOT submit a separate BMI report. This report is optional for non-public school districts.
https://mdph.checkboxonline.com/SchoolHealth2020.survey
Questions?
E-mail your question to: DPH_ESHS_data@MassMail.State.MA.USCHs-
Statewide Regional School Nurse Consultant Contacts:
Boston
Mary Jane O'Brien, PhD, RN, CPNP, NCSN
mobrien@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-6788
Central
Janet Guertin-Moruzzi BSN, RN, NCSN
(781) 392-7726
Metro West
Jill Connolly, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN
jill.connolly@braintreeschools.org
(781) 848-4000 x7841
Northeast
Shanyn A. Toulouse, MEd, BSN, RN NCSN
shanyn.toulouse@haverhill-ps.org
(978) 420-1919
Southeast
Ann M. Linehan, DNP, MSN, RN
(508) 580-7363
West
Veronica Webb Barrett, MSN, MA Ed Psych, RN, HNB-BC
webbv@springfieldpublicschools.com
(413) 896-8100