A MDPH Message from Karen Robitaille: 
Greetings From the School Health Unit!
One would think after 25 years in school health, and after raising four slightly challenging children (sorry kids, but you know it’s true), I would have a better handle on managing life and my reactions to it, but sometimes I don’t. I can’t always predict when it will happen, but I sometimes feel overwhelmed, and I find myself caught in a cycle of worry and catastrophizing to the point of feeling paralyzed. Needless to say, it’s been happening more frequently over the last eighteen months. I am hearing from many of you that you can relate.
Sometimes I need to reduce the constant ticker in my head by focusing on what I need to do NEXT, no more, no less. Sometimes I can manage what I need to do TODAY, and lists help with that. I want to encourage you by reminding you that your most important task during your workday is the student standing in front of you. THEY come first, everything else comes next. As nurses, we cannot sacrifice safety for efficiency. And that applies to your own personal well-being as well.
With great respect,
Karen
Karen Robitaille, MBA, MSN, RN, NCSN
<she, her, hers>
Director of School Health Services
Division of Child/Adolescent Health and Reproductive Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington St. 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108
karen.robitaille3@mass.gov
Cell: 781-675-0463
Personal Webex room: https://statema.webex.com/meet/Karen.Robitaille3
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A Message from your Regional Consultant:
We are pleased to welcome Sheila Rucki to the MASSTART program. She is going to serve our families in the Western Region.
Sheila has worked with the MASSTART program in the past. She is going to start to work with the families on the waitlist and will reach out to the families and/or referral sources on the list.
Contact information MASSTART Western Region:
Sheila Rucki, PhD, PCNS, BC
sheila.q.rucki@state.ma.us
Phone: 413-222-3983
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All Regions Regional Meeting
October 20, 2021 - 1:00-3:00 - Registration is now Open! Register here.
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Many of you have asked if there is any flexibility around the evaluation process for school nurses this year; following is the response to this request from DESE:
School Nurse Evaluations 2021-22
The expectations around meaningful supervision and evaluation for all educators remain in place in 2021-22. Educator Evaluation provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the excellent work of school nurses during these unprecedented times and to provide them with feedback that can help them continue to grow and strengthen their practice.
DESE recommends elevating the following key priorities in implementing educator evaluation in the 2021-22 school year:
- Collaboration: The educator evaluation process should be a collaborative, partnership-based effort between the nurse and evaluator. This means prioritizing communication, building trusting relationships, and ensuring that the evaluation is reflective of a holistic picture of the nurse’s goals, strengths, and targeted areas for growth. See the Evidence Collection resource or the Quick Reference Guide: Engaging Families in Educator Evaluation for some best practices and recommendations for this priority area.
- Coherence: We recommend focusing evaluation activities around a targeted set of Indicators from the rubric. Identifying 4-6 Focus Indicators is a powerful way to streamline goal-setting, evidence collection, and feedback around the most important priorities for nursing relative to this school year. (See the Focus Indicators for Teachers and School Leaders resources for examples of prioritizing key practices and targeted areas for feedback, support, and collaboration.)
- Culturally Responsive Practice: We believe that the educator evaluation system can and should promote efforts towards more equitable and culturally responsive schools and classrooms. This means leveraging evaluations to recognize and support nurses’ work towards improving health equity and ensuring all students’ health and safety in the return to in-person learning, as well as attending to an evaluation process that is supportive and free from bias. Here are some resources from DESE and the Department of Public Health on school health and racial equity.
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2021/2022 COVID-19 Protocols and
Testing Information on DESE Website
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“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr."
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BinaxNow Training Dates Available! Visit here.
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New Mental Health Training Series!
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Please sign up for these sessions AFTER receiving the BinaxNOW™ test kits. Each session is limited to 20 participants (no more than 2 per district).
BinaxNOW training is not required to begin testing. Those who attended BinaxNOW training last year do not need to attend again.
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SHIELD will be offering a series of mental health trainings delivered via Zoom over the course of several months (Sept-Feb). Sessions will last about 2 hours each and will also be recorded for self-paced learning. Learners may select one or more sessions to attend. PDPs and discounts will be offered for attending the full series. For more information, see this flyer. Upcoming dates are below:
- November 4th, 2021
- December 9th, 2021
- January 13th, 2022
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Mandated Reporting for CSHS Districts
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Please note the following:
- The Performance Measures for public school districts in the Affiliated and Model programs have been modified and simplified.
- SBIRT data reporting has been simplified. Starting this year, the SBIRT report only requires district-level data for each grade screened, rather than individual-level data. An Excel spreadsheet with individual-level data will no longer be used to submit the data. Instead, the data will now be collected using the same online data collection tool that we use for collecting other district-level data. As a result, the SBIRT data report has been incorporated into the Status Report.
- School districts do not need to submit their SBIRT data until 60 days after completing the last SBIRT screening for the entire district. If submitting the SBIRT data prior to submitting CSHS end-of-year data, school districts can skip to the SBIRT section of the data report by clicking the option to submit “only SBIRT data”, enter the data, and then save the report so it can be edited later. When submitting CSHS Status Report data at the end of the school year, change the option from “only SBIRT data” to “CSHS program data.”
- All the district-wide data (SBIRT, BMI, and CSHS end-of-year data) should be submitted using the same data report, although it does not have to be submitted at the same time. For example, if the SBIRT screenings are completed in December, the SBIRT data can be submitted in January and the district can wait until July 15 to submit the other annual report data. That’s not a problem, as long as the person who submits the SBIRT data saves the link to their online data record by clicking the “Save and Exit” button and saves the report-specific link the pops up on screen. Without that link, you may not be able to edit the data submission, and you would have to submit a completely new record with all of the district’s data. Additional instructions are provided on the first page of the online data tool.
- If we receive multiple data submissions from the same district, we assume that the most recent submission has corrected, updated data, and any prior submissions are discarded.
There are no changes to the Monthly report or other data collection tools.
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Mandated Reporting for CSHS Districts: Monthly Report Info
The link to the Monthly report survey is here and the end-of-year Status Report 21/22 survey is here. All reporting forms, worksheets and instructions were sent out to districts by Bob Leibowitz and worksheets for the monthly report can also be found here, and here is the CSHS end-of-year Status Report 21/22. Questions related to CSHS mandated grant reporting should go to: DPH_ESHS_data@MassMail.State.MA.US
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Mandated Reporting for Non-CSHS Districts
Concussion Report Form: Not yet available.
BMI report form: BMI report. CSHS-funded districts and nonpublic schools should NOT submit a separate BMI report, as these data are included in the Status Report. Non-funded districts will use the same link that is used to access the Status Report form.
SBIRT report. CSHS-funded districts and nonpublic schools should NOT submit a separate SBIRT report, as these data are included in the Status Report. Non-funded districts will use the same link that is used to access the Status Report form.
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Mandated Reporting for ALL Schools/Districts
Asthma and Diabetes Survey questions may be directed via email to the project mailbox at DPH-BEH-Asthma@state.ma.us.
Epinephrine administration report form.
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GREAT NEWS! CSHS Affiliate grantees will see another boost in their funding this fiscal year; districts originally funded at $3000 (who got $10,500 in FY21) will receive $14,000 for FY22. Districts originally funded at $5000 (who got $20,000 last year) will get $29,600 in FY22. Model amounts will remain the same as last year. Non-public grantee amounts may have changed; email Juliet or Karen if you have any questions regarding your funding amount.
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Allowable use of CSHS grant funds for COVID-19 response during FY22:
- Consumable supplies needed to safely provide care during COVID (may include gloves, masks, eye protection, scrub/gowns), for school health staff ONLY. Not to exceed 10% of the total budget.
- Reallocation of case management staff hours to address COVID case management during school hours in the form of dedicated nursing staff performing contact tracing and/or case management for COVID cases in the school community (i.e. referral to testing, referral to community resources for isolation & quarantine) under an agreement with the LBOH.
- Health office equipment that addresses COVID-19 emergency response and that will be used in the health office, medical waiting room or AGP room (may include physical barriers and filtration units for those spaces ONLY). Not to exceed 15% of the total budget.
- Model and Affiliate grantees may also use grant funding to support staff that are conducting COVID-19 case management and/or contact tracing. This includes hiring of new staff, as well as paying stipends at hourly nursing rates for work doing COVID-19 contact tracing/case management outside of normal working hours. The intent of this expansion is to allow current nursing staff more time and flexibility to meet other CSHS grant requirements.
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS:
Medication Registration: medication.delegation@MassMail.State.MA
US Return of signed CSHS purchase vouchers: cshs.pv@mass.gov
Return of CSHS amendment forms: CSHS.Amendments@mass.gov
Return of CSHS reconciliation forms: CSHS.Reconciliation@mass.gov
Using the correct email address is essential to your documents being received and processed in a timely manner. Thank you!
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Structures & Self: Advancing Equity and Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
A learner-led, justice-informed curriculum designed to teach clinical learners to consider how systems of power and legacies of structural oppression impact their care for patients. Learners will consider how to leverage their privilege to create change on a clinical, community, and systemic level.
Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Cafe Series - 14 September 2021 through 21 October 2021
You have dedicated your career to the development of others, and now it's your turn. Welcome to the NPD Café, a six-week live webinar series presented by ANPD and Sigma. Each webinar offers a unique opportunity to take time to focus on your own professional development. For one hour a week, create the space you need to fill your professional cup. Be prepared to settle in for self-reflection and professional growth, which will ultimately make you a better resource for your teams. Learn more and register here.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Training: Storage, Handling, Administration and Safety
The MDPH Immunization Division is pleased to present the following FREE accredited COVID-19 Vaccine content. Please note: a certificate of completion will be awarded immediately upon completion of all training modules. Here's the link access the COVID-19 vaccine training here.
All Regions Regional Meeting
October 20, 2021 - 1:00-3:00 - Registration is now Open! Register here.
MCH Guidelines for Asthma Overview of 2021 Changes and How These Will Impact Schools
The Kentucky Department for Public Health and Kentucky Department for Education collaborated to be able to have this offering available. The presenter, Dr. Ben Francisco reviews the basics of asthma and many new changes in treatment that the school nurse or practitioner may experience in the pediatric clinic, or school environment.
The course is free on TRAIN. Once the course is completed the nurse will receive 1.5 nursing contact hours.
Course ID: 1099543
Ben Francisco, PhD, PNP, AE-C Professor, Pulmonary Medicine & Allergy
University of Missouri School of Medicine, Department of Child Health
Director, Asthma Ready® Communities; Author, IMPACT Asthma Kids© suite of asthma disease management tools for asthma control; Past
President, Association of Asthma Educators; Teaching Professor, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Child Health, Pulmonary Medicine;
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C)
25th Annual Wellness Summit
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is gearing up for the 25th Annual Wellness Summit. Please see event details below:
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Registration: Space is limited - Register Now!
The summit is free and is intended for students leaders and school personnel. The Summit will include an awards presentation, two keynote speakers and two workshop sessions.
Attendees will choose from a menu of workshop topics including:
- The Truth about Vaping
- Shifting Gears: The Blunt Truth about Marijuana & Driving
- Self-Care Comes First: Tips for Practicing & Promoting Well-being
- Let’s Talk about the “A” Word: Managing Anxiety in the COVID-19 Era
- Student Leadership and Team Building
- Act As If- Positive Psychology
- Building Trusting Relationships in a Digital World
- How to Implement a System of Holistic Daily Habits
- Strategies for Creating Trauma-Sensitive Classrooms
- Not in the Playbook
- It’s Okay To Not Be Okay: You Are Not Alone
- Sober Thoughts
Workshop links will be provided to registrants in advance, and participants can earn up to 3 professional development hours.
Parent & Teen Perspectives: Effective Communications & Advocacy Strategies for Adolescent Vaccination
Cost: $20.00/Free for NASN members!
Upon successful completion of this offering, participants will receive 1.0 CNE contact hours.
Program Overview: This session will explore how school nurses can implement effective communications and advocacy strategies to help support and improve adolescent vaccination in school environments. Strategies shared in this session will integrate parent, student and health provider perspectives, ensuring students and their parents remain central to the decision-making process. A teen vaccination advocate (VaxTeen) will share her experiences working to empower other teens to take an active role in their health in order to improve vaccination rates among adolescents. In addition, two mothers (including a fellow nurse) who each lost their adolescent daughters to a vaccine-preventable disease (Meningitis B) will share best practices for increasing awareness and the uptake of vaccination. In addition, samples of effective communication campaigns and resources will be shared that can be adapted for use by school nurses in their respective schools.
Register here.
3 Body Qigong: Managing Stress for Health and Healing
Sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Medical Services, Community Education Initiative program. Thursday December 16, 2021 - 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST - $40 - 2.0 Nursing Contact Hours/PDPs Offered - Via Zoom - For more information and to register for event visit here.
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School Health Resources:
