MID-DECEMBER NEWS FROM THE WEST
Here's what's going on in the West in mid-December (vol.IV)
DECEMBER GREETINGS !
May your vacation be a time of rest and renewal.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Veronica
A MESSAGE FROM KAREN, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL HEALTH
Greetings from the DPH School Health Unit!
I've always said that I would not like to be a school superintendent, for many reasons, but not the least of which is making difficult weather-related decisions. Well, I now certainly have a better understanding of the challenge! I realize that Westborough did not close on December 17th, and that district is what we generally base decisions on as far as state meetings and other trainings. However, with a full-day event predicted, which would impact some parts of the state heavily, we made the decision we did in the interest of safety. Additionally, by canceling early, we are able to rebook the event and thus do not lose the costs associated with it. My priority is the health and safety of our students, and by extension, the health and safety of those charged with caring for them. I take that responsibility seriously, and so I hope you can practice patience and understanding when these difficult decisions need to be made. I'd like to thank Bev and the BU SHIELD team for their flexibility and work to reschedule the meeting not once, but TWICE!
I also realize that we will now meet three months in a row, in March, April (rescheduled from December) and May. I'm hopeful that with enough notice, you will be able to attend all three, and if school psychologist/social workers are still able to attend in April, even better! A reminder that you no longer need to worry about getting your superintendents there in May. We are going to work on another way to get school health issues in front of superintendents...so stay tuned. I also feel there may be a real opportunity to feel more connected by meeting three months in a row, and hopefully the regional meetings before then help to keep the momentum going.
Thank you for everything you do every day for the staff and students in our schools. I hope your holiday break is restful and joyful and fills you back up. We'll see you in the New Year!
Karen
A REMINDER FROM JULIET BERK, UNIT COORDINATOR
This is to remind everyone that the nurse leaders are ideally listed as the point of contact/contract managers for the CSHS grant contract for the purpose of a seamless operation of the CSHS grant contract. Consequently, most communications regarding the CSHS grant is initially sent to the nurses, with the expectation that the nurses will pass the information/or documents on to the relevant people in their organization– this can be for signatures or so forth that DPH is requesting for the school/district to sign and send back to DPH. We understand that for others who are new and just starting on this grant this may be new to you, and may require building relationships with the Business Office or Administration folks at your schools/districts.
Thank you.
Juliet
DPH SCHOOL HEALTH UNIT UPDATES
DPH Survey on EEE:
This was a particularly active year for cases of mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), in Massachusetts. The state Department of Public Health is seeking feedback from school and district leaders, school nurses, and others regarding communication and other activities during the 2019 season. This feedback is important and will help inform planning for the next season. Please take a few moments to complete this short online survey by Friday, December 20.
CONGRATULATIONS AND KUDOS TO OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE WEST!
Sherry Hager, school nurse at Hawlemont Regional Elementary School in Charlemont received her national certification in October. She has been the school nurse at Hawlemont for the last 6 years.
Meg Burch, school nurse at Conway Grammar School and Nurse Manager for, Frontier Regional and Union #38 School District earned her National School Nurse Certification in August, 2019.
Criminal Record Expungement & Sealing Information Session
COMPASSION CORNER
Dear Western MA Colleagues,
Please submit information and circumstances you would like to have considered for statewide community support.
UPCOMING MEETINGS REMINDERS
West Regional Meeting
Registration online: https://www.bucme.org/node/1084
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2020, 08:30 AM
Shriners Hospitals for Children 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104
School-Based Medicaid Program (SBMP) Training
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided
Agenda topics will be distributed before winter break, along with registration information.
School-Based Medicaid Program
UMass Medical School 333 South St. Shrewsbury MA, 01545
Toll Free: 1-800-535-6741
Fax: 508-856-7643
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2020, 08:30 AM
Chicopee, MA
SCHENA
- 1/14/2020 - Webinar: 9:00-10:30 AM
- 2/11/2020 - Webinar: 9:00-10:30 AM
- 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
- Attendance required for all Model grant awardees. Optional for Affiliate programs and all others. Course in progress - registration time period has ended.
*If having trouble registering on any of the above links, please call 617-358-5005.
Update Regarding The May Nurse Leader Meeting
The May Nurse Leader meeting date will remain as, May 21, 2020. DPH understands that it is very difficult for Superintendent’s to leave their districts, particularly in May. The theme for the May meeting will be best practices in-regards to Care Coordination. DPH recognizes this topic is not the most relevant to present for guest Superintendents, though there is a connection regarding how this practice can improve care and subsequently address attendance issues! The department is therefore working on other methods to engage with Superintendents.
CLINICAL UPDATES
Grant funding for Microspacer and Microchamber devices for Massachusetts school children:
Please be aware that the asthma spacers being offered, by the company Respiratory Delivery Systems, Inc. , to school nurses are not evidence based devices and should not be used. If you are contacted by Walter Makiej of Respiratory Delivery Systems Inc. the safest response would be to decline any offers for receiving the devices.
New Resource Released! How to Obtain Free Demonstration Devices for Commonly Used Inhalers for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management
Are you a healthcare provider or public health advocate looking to get your hands on a demonstration asthma inhaler device? You’re in luck. MAAP is excited to release a new resource on how healthcare professionals may obtain free demonstration inhaler devices to provide patient education: How to Obtain Free Demonstration Devices for Commonly Used Inhalers for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management. This resource includes strategies on how to support the correct use of inhalers and a list of commonly used inhalers, including their respective drug indication, medication category, product website, and contact information to request free demonstration devices.
Access and save a copy of the resource here.
Greetings Massachusetts School Nurses and Nurse Leaders!
Dr. Randi Schuster, RSCHUSTER@mgh.harvard.edu, is a neuropsychologist at Mass General Hospital conducting research on the cognitive effects of marijuana abstinence. Please open the pdf to learn more about her research and an urgent request that any school interested in potentially participating in this project email Dr Schuster a letter of interest by Thursday 12/19/19. There is a template for the letter of interest in the second pdf below.
Dear High School Nurses Working With Students With Food Allergies!
We are looking for dedicated and responsible high school age "Mentors"!
The MassGeneral Hospital for Children Food Allergy Center at MGH, is excited to launch the first year of its Food Allergy Buddies Program, a program of community-building events for children and families managing food allergies. Please open the pdf for more information and to apply.
New Adolescent SBIRT Webinar Series Launched
"Using SBIRT to Talk to Adolescents about Substance Use"
Four-Part Webinar Series
One of the largest barriers to providing appropriate substance use services to adolescents is getting them to open up about their use and engage in conversation to reduce or eliminate it, if necessary. This four-part webinar series introduces health professionals to the SBIRT model as a way to learn from adolescents about their substance use, talk about what might motivate them to make a decision to reduce or abstain (if needed), and execute a plan to do so. For more information click on the link https://sbirt.webs.com/talking-2-adolescents-series
Thursday, Dec 19, 2019, 03:30 PM
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New Session Added for "SBIRT in Schools"
Registration will open by mid-day on December 20th on the SHIELD website.
Friday, Jan 17, 2020, 08:00 AM
Crosstown Center 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA
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
IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION AND UPDATES
QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP
Does your district have an orientation program for new school nurse leaders?
Please forward any orientation practices to: webbv@springfieldpublicschools.com .
The information will be considered for a CQI project.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
REMINDERS FOR CSHS FUNDED PROGRAMS:
CSHS Budget Questions:
Questions related to CSHS budget and spending can be directed to Juliet Berk at
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-
RECURRING BUTTON LINKS FOR EASY ACCESS TO HELPFUL INFORMATION
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
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
AS WE CLOSE OUT THIS YEAR I WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND GREAT RELATIONSHIPS!
Peace and Joy,
Veronica