Northeast News for School Nurses!
News and Updates for the 2019-20 School Year
Volume 7: January 15, 2020
I hope you are finding transitioning back to work is going smoothly. Please find relevant State and Regional updates and resources below!
With gratitude,
Shanyn
In This Issue:
1. MDPH School Health Unit Communications
- Influenza and School Closings Guidance
2. CSHS Upcoming Meetings Reminders
3. Clinical Updates
4. Resources for School Nurses and Others
- Upcoming National Certification Test Dates
- Northeast Regional Community Hospital Needs Assessments
- Children's Vision Resources
- BORN License Requirements
5. Conferences/Training Opportunities
- School-Based Medicaid Program (SBMP) Training
- Boston Children's Programs
- Save-the-Date for Oral Health Equity Summit
6. Career Opportunities
7. Questions to the Group
8. Resources/Links To Be Included in Every Newsletter
- MDPH Infectious Disease Reporting & Immunization Resources
- BU SHIELD Resources
- CSHS Model & Affiliated Program Data Requirements
- State Reports for Both Funded and Non-Funded School
- MDPH School Health Unit Contact Information
MDPH School Health Unit Communications:
Dear Colleagues:
There are no MDPH guidelines for closing schools due to influenza. Schools/districts should work closely with local department of public health or contact the infectious disease liaison at MDPH at (617) 983-6800 to determine how to best address the situation in each community. Schools should stay open to provide warmth, stability and food for our students unless there are not enough adults to safely provide supervision.
Here are some steps recommended by the CDC to address influenza in the school community:
- Custodians may be directed to pay special attention to frequently touched surfaces with district-approved cleaning agents, but it is not necessary to close schools to “disinfect” them: “studies have shown that the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for only 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on a surface. Therefore, special sanitizing processes beyond routine cleaning, including closing schools to clean every surface in the building, are not necessary or recommended to slow the spread of flu, even during a flu outbreak”. (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm)
- Sick people should stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours and other disease-spreading behaviors (ie coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are under control.
- Practice and model good hygiene, including: use of tissues, teaching to cough into sleeves and HANDWASHING.
For more information see this very helpful guidance document from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm
Karen Robitaille, MBA, MSN, RN, NCSN
< she, her, hers>
Director of School Health Services
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Bureau of Community Health & Prevention
250 Washington Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108
617-624-5427
Upcoming Meeting Reminders:
THIS Friday, January 24, 2020 (Snow Date: Friday, February 7, 2020)
Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill Campus
Room TC-103B
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
These meetings are required for all CSHS funded Model and Affiliate programs. Regional meetings are open to ALL School Nurses in the Northeast Region and FREE to attend!
Please register HERE!
February 11, 2019 Webinar
School and Community Health Equity Needs Assessment (SCHENA)
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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 HERE!
Additional Upcoming SCHENA Meeting Dates:
- 3/17/2020 - Live Course: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, DoubleTree, Westborough
- 4/14/2020 - Webinar: 9:00-10:30 AM
- 5/19/2020 - Live Course: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, DoubleTree, Westborough
CLINICAL UPDATES:
RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL HEALTH STAFF & OTHERS!
National Board of Certification of School Nurses Certification Examination:
Become a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN)!
The exam will be available to three testing windows in 2020:
Spring Testing Window: March 5 – 18, 2020
Registration: November 14, 2019 – February 5, 2020
Summer Testing Window: July 9 – August 5, 2020
Registration: March 19 – June 9, 2020
Fall Testing Window: November 5 – 18, 2020
Registration Window: August 6 – October 5, 2020
For further information, please see https://www.nbcsn.org/ncsn/examination/
Please remember as of January 1, 2020, Eligibility Requirements changed.
Eligible candidates must:
- Submit a copy of their license as a registered nurse (RN) in one of the United States.
- Submit an academic transcript or proof of current certification, demonstrating attainment of one of the following: *A bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing or the equivalent in other countries OR current certification by NBCSN as an NCSN.
- Meet the clinical practice requirements of a minimum of 1,000 hours that have been worked within the three years prior to taking the test. 1000 hours is roughly equivalent to the hours worked by a full-time school nurse who works at least 6 hours/day for a school year of 180 days documented by a note on letterhead from your supervisor or district official. See below for more information about clinical practice requirements.
- Complete the online application to take the certification examination for school nurses.
- Pay the required fee.
For further information, please see https://www.nbcsn.org/ncsn/eligibility/
A Six Week Online Study Group is offered through School Nurse Net.
Candidates for the online study group have to be MSNO members. To join the study group, sign into School Nurse Net through NASN website, use the drop down on upper right to go to Communities and find “National Certification Exam Candidates”. The next online study group will begin on Friday, January 31, 2020! Please pass the word on to your colleagues who are interested in sitting for the exam in the Spring of 2020.
Any questions contact
Pat Hoban, NBCSN MA. Liaison
Community Health Needs Assessments from Community Hospitals in the Northeast Region
GREATER LOWELL SERVICE AREA:
This region includes the cities and towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford.
here.https://www.lowellgeneral.org/files/lghPublication/documentFile/2019_gl_comm_health_needs_final-3.pdf
BEVERLY AND ADDISON GILBERT HOSPITL SERVICE AREA:
Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Beverly, Danvers, Middleton, and Lynn
https://www.lahey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BH-AGH-FULL-REPORT-FINAL-9-13.pdf
GREATER HAVERHILL SERVICE AREA:
Anna Jaques Hospital:
Amesbury, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimack, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury
Holy Family Hospital:
Methuen, Haverhill, Lawrence, Groveland, Andover, and North Andover
Lawrence General Hospital:
https://www.lawrencegeneral.org/uploads/CHNA/2019%20CHNA%20Report.pdf
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital:
Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Everrett, Malden, Danvers
https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/MGH/pdf/community-health/cchi/20191016-CHNA-report.pdf
North Shore Medical Center:
Danvers, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, and Swampscott
https://nsmc.partners.org/about_nsmc/commitment_to_community
THINK OF VISION! A NEW Vision Guide for Teachers:
Clear vision plays a fundamental role in a child's overall development, and their ability to learn and participate fully in their world. But signs of a vision problem in children can be subtle.
The new Guide alerts teachers of students at grade school and older, to signs and symptoms that, if repeatedly observed in the classroom, may indicate an untreated vision disorder, requiring evaluation by an eye doctor.
The Guide follows THINK OF VISION: Guide for Preschool Teachers released last year by CVMA.
Click here to download the Teacher Guides: for Preschool, and School-aged Children.
Please share these Guides with parents and educators!
Childhood Vision Fact Sheets Available in Many Languages:
New childhood vision fact-sheets are available to download and print, in seven languages @ Prevent Blindness Ohio.
Find fact-sheets about Amblyopia and Strabismus in English and Spanish.
Click here to find more translations and fact sheets in Arabic, Somali, Spanish, Chinese, French, Russian and Ukranian.
A comprehensive eye exam from a pediatric eye doctor always includes a full ocular health assessment, including ocular pressure.
By detecting vision problems and treating them early, including those from glaucoma, we can help to avoid significant vision impairment.
MA BORN RN LICENSE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS 2020
Alzheimer’s Training: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112 §74, licensees must complete a one-time course of training and education in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. You must complete the course to satisfy license renewal requirements. This mandatory training can be included as a portion of the 15 contact hours required for license renewal. For a list of available trainings, please see pages 20-21 at the following link: http://patientcarelink.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/18-11-19ALZandDementiaFINAL.pdf.
https://ceufast.com/course/alzheimer-and-dementia
Domestic & Sexual Violence Training: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112 §264, all LPNs, RNs and APRNs must complete a one-time training on domestic and sexual violence. Visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/domestic-and-sexual-violence-integration-initiatives for compliance information. Nurses who participated in an approved in-person training program will be considered to have met the requirement and do not need to take the online course by DPH. This mandatory training can be included as a portion of the 15 contact hours required for license renewal.
NEW Upcoming Professional Development and Other Meetings of Interest to School Nurses:
Upcoming School-Based Medicaid Program Training(s):
Dear School-Based Medicaid Participating LEA Representative,
MassHealth, in conjunction with UMass Medical School, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the February in-person regional trainings throughout the Commonwealth! Please find information related to the training below as well as a link to register for one of the sessions.These sessions will be available in-person only, there will not be a livestream option. In-person attendance is required to ensure the best possible conversation and to take full advantage of the topics being covered in the trainings.
Please share this email with others in your LEA who would be appropriate for this training based on a review of the training topics outline included below.
What: School-Based Medicaid Program (SBMP) Training
Who: LEA stakeholders and primary contacts for the SBMP, specifically: Special Education Administrators, clinical leadership (e.g. nurse leaders and other lead service providers), Medicaid point-people.
When/Where: From 8:30 a.m.to 3 p.m., with continental breakfast and lunch provided, on:
Registration is restricted to 3 attendees per district. Click on the date/location above to register for the training. Please complete one online registration form per individual. Registrations are due no later than January 31st. Due to hotel capacity and meal ordering, the 1/31/20 deadline is firm - please register ASAP so you don't miss out!
Training Topics
In response to LEA requests, the focus of these training sessions will be topics related to the Direct Service Claiming (DSC) program requirements. To assist LEAs in determining the most appropriate individuals to send to a training session, please review the outline of training topics:
- Medicaid and Education - shared language/vocabulary
- Diagnosis Coding
- Clinical authorization and documentation requirements
- Medical Necessity
- Monitoring program compliance
- Workgroup collaboration session
- Program Expansion Success Stories
What's next?
Stay tuned! Additional details regarding training materials will be included in an email sent in advance of your training date.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the School-Based Medicaid Program.
School-Based Medicaid Claiming Team
Commonwealth Medicine
Toll Free: (800) 535-6741
Boston Children's Community Education Initiative
For questions about payment and registration, contact:
Judi Naar
Phone: 617-355-8431
Fax: 617-730-0591
Email: judi.naar@childrens.harvard.edu
INFECTIOUS DISEASE: ANY infectious disease question, report, or inquiry should be directed to the State Lab at (617) 983-6800
NEW Immunization Guidance for FY 2020-21
Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) Immunization initiative
The Immunization Initiative of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) is dedicated to fully immunizing Massachusetts children and adolescents against vaccine preventable diseases through advocacy, education, networking and communication of best practices.
Career Opportunities:
PART-TIME NURSING ASSOCIATE (Registered Nurse Position)
(ANTICIPATED LEAVE OF ABSENCE)
Fuller Meadow Elementary School
Tri-Town School Union
(Topsfield, Boxford & Middleton Elementary Schools PK-6)
Middleton, Massachusetts ( map )
Questions and Inquiries to the Group:
Please see the following questions from our school health colleagues seeking collaboration. Answers/Information can be sent to the contact information provided for each question. Your sharing of information and resources is greatly appreciated.
1) Postural Screening Survey Participation Request: Doreen Crowe, Coordinator of Nursing Services Wilmington Public Schools, is interested in knowing how many districts Opt-in & Opt-out for postural screenings & the percentage of students that are actually screened annually. She has created the following survey if you are willing to share this information: https://forms.gle/vtnn3ekbbSakA51K6 . If you have any questions Doreen can be reached at Doreen.Crowe@wpsk12.com.
2) Policy/Procedure Sharing Request: Request for sharing of policies, procedures, IHCPs, or Medication Administration Plans related to student self-administration of IV medications. In addition, looking for those that also include self peripheral IV start for self administration of IV medication. These can be sent to me at jill.connolly@braintreeschools.org. I will share out to the requesting nurse leader and with your permission will keep them on file as a resource for future requests. Greatly appreciated!
3) Vision Referral Question: Barbara Singer, Director of School Health Services Needham Public Schools, would like to know if other districts are noticing an increase in vision referrals for grade 9/10 students; specifically for students who fail their distance acuity screening? Please contact Barbara at barbara_singer@needham.k12.ma.us to share this information.
4) FAX Line Question: For schools/districts that have updated their phone system to VoIP (internet) lines, what are you doing about fax lines? Are you keeping an analog line for faxing? If not, what system are you using to receive confidential information from MD office (ie physicals, MD orders)? Do you have any information about the security of faxing over the internet? Please share any information you have regarding this with Kathi Garvin at kgarvin@walpole.k12.ma.us.
*If you are seeking any information from your regional colleagues please let me know and your question(s) for the group will be included here. I can also send your question(s) to the other regional consultants to include in their newsletters to allow for further outreach.
"Questions and Inquiries to the Group" can be sent to me at shanyn.toulouse@haverhill-ps.org and will be sent out in the next Northeast News for School Nurses Newsletter.
REMINDERS for CSHS Funded Programs:
CSHS MONTHLY REPORT INFO:
The correct link to the Monthly report form is shown below:
https://mdph.checkboxonline.com/MonthlyReport-2020.survey
Questions related to CSHS mandated grant reporting should go to: dph_eshs_data@dph.state.ma.us
All CSHS Report forms and instructions can be found here: CSHS pdf forms 2019-2020
Clicking the link will download a zip file.
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:
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.US
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
Click HERE for School Health Unit information and resources!
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
Contact:
Shanyn A. Toulouse, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN
Northeast Regional School Nurse Consultant
✉️shanyn.toulouse@haverhill-ps.org
Office ☎︎ 978.420.1919
Mobile ☎︎ 978.761.2307
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"School Nurses of the Northeast Region Collaborate and Share Expertise to Optimize Student Health and Learning"