A MDPH Message from Karen Robitaille: 
Greetings from the School Health Unit!
On April 2nd I had the honor and pleasure of speaking at the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) 50th anniversary event alongside some venerable school nursing leaders from Massachusetts. I was tasked to talk about the future of school nursing, which was really hard to do when I feel still so mired in the present. I spoke about my gratitude for all you have done, but then gave voice to something that has been simmering in me for quite some time. I’M ANGRY. And let’s be clear, I’m truly not angry with any particular person or institution. I feel like, although we can all armchair quarterback and often have such insightful hindsight, most of humanity did the best we could with what we had under the circumstances of the last two years. But that doesn’t change the fact that the nursing workforce has suffered mightily, including the school nursing workforce. I’m angry that so many of you sacrificed time with your families, leisure pursuits, higher education possibilities and your mental well-being to this pandemic. Of course, my friend (don’t worry, I know she’s not actually my friend, wishful thinking!) Brené has something helpful to say about anger in her newest book Atlas of the Heart:
SO, what do we want to change regarding the future of school nursing? How can we use the experiences of the last two years to grow our profession and grow in our profession? Where could we use a little more love, compassion, courage and justice? I have my own ideas, but I would sure love to hear yours. Please reach out to request a site visit so we can talk (link here); my schedule is pretty full the remainder of this school year, but I’ll be around all summer and can book into the fall as well. Or share your ideas around best practices for school nurses at our May CSHS meeting:
To help us assess the numbers and breadth of the work to be shared, please fill out this Google Form. Any school nurse in Massachusetts may participate as a presenter or attendee of this meeting, but preregistration on the BU SHIELD site is required, as total attendance will be limited. We ask that if you are interested in presenting or submitting a poster, that you fill out the above form by Friday, April 15th.
I hope to talk with you soon.
As always, with the greatest 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
|
|
|
|
School Health Unit Focus Groups
The MDPH School Health Unit will be holding two focus groups of school nurses to learn about the needs and opportunities available to student nurses in school health offices. The School Health Unit will be partnering with the MA Dept of Higher Ed to facilitate placements of student nurses. We are interested in learning if and how nursing students can be of assistance in completing screenings, immunization entry, among other activities. Please join Assistant Director, Caitlin Pettengill, on either date:
|
|
|
Naloxone in Schools Update
The memo titled The Administration of Naloxone in Schools is now available on the School Health Services website here and on the BU SHIELD website here.
To order naloxone from the MA State Office of Pharmacy Services (SOPS), your school/district will need a Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration for Schools (MCSR for School) which covers naloxone. The process for obtaining a MCSR for School is registering with the MDPH School Health Unit for medication delegation/epinephrine training. Please see this MDPH School Health guidance document for details on how to register. Schools do NOT need a separate naloxone MCSR.
Your school/district is welcome to take advantage of the Commonwealth’s negotiated Public Interest Pricing for name brand Narcan. The current public interest price for a unit (2 doses) of Narcan Nasal Spray is $71.06. There are generic formulations which are a bit cheaper. These products are available for sale to municipal, state, and health and human services programs through the SOPS, all of which will require a MCSR for School.
There are free overdose prevention trainings available in MA through Praxis and through Health Resources in Action (HRiA). Please reach out to either agency to request a training. The MDPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services also has a naloxone FAQ website.
Please feel free to reach out to the Assistant Director of School Health Services, Caitlin Pettengill caitlin.pettengill@mass.gov, with any questions.
|
|
|
|
CSHS Site Visits Update
The School Health Unit staff will continue to conduct site visits throughout the end of the school year by request. Public school nurse leaders can use this link to request a site visit from Karen Robitaille and non-public school nurses can use this link to schedule a visit with Janet Guertin-Moruzzi. Visits can be virtual or in person, and funded districts who have not had a recent visit, as well as new nurse leaders, will be prioritized.
|
|
|
Pediatric Asthma and Diabetes Survey Announcement
Please view this announcement for updates regarding this year's Pediatric Asthma and Diabetes Survey. In addition, the survey worksheet can be found here.
The due date for this year's survey is Friday, April 15th.
Please contact the survey coordinator at 617-624-5757 or Ped.Asthma@state.ma.us with questions or concerns.
|
|
|
|
School Nurses in the News:
SHIELD Nurses in the News Feed.
Congratulations to Sarah Bott Lee, MSNO School Nurse of the Year 2021-2022!
Congratulations to Tricia Smith, Nurse Leader Hanover Public Schools as the MSNO School Nurse Administrator of the Year 2021-2022!
Congratulations to the Framingham Public School Nurses who were part of the Framingham COVID-19 Nurse Response Team. This powerful team was recognized this week by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The citation cited their hard work, dedication, care, and perseverance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of Framingham COVID-19 Nurse Response Team included MDPH School Health Unit members, Janet Moruzzi and Caitlin Pettengill.
The Massachusetts Public Health Council recently released a letter of appreciation addressed to members of the state and local public health workforce. The letter can be found here.
|
|
|
CSHS Budget Q&A - Event RSVP
Please fill out this Google Form if you plan to attend one last CSHS Budget Q&A before the end of the fiscal year. A meeting link will be sent to you with the opportunity to submit questions to be answered during the Q&A.
School Vacation Week COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is partnering with local businesses to host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics during School Vacation Week, April 18th-24th, at a variety of family-friendly venues such as trampoline parks, skating rinks, zoos, bowling alleys, and even Six Flags amusement park. Anyone who gets a vaccine or a booster dose at these clinics will receive a fun giveaway such as free admission tickets, free bowling, bounce time, or goody bags. The clinics offer a fun way for the whole family to get up to date on their COVID vaccinations. The clinics are free to everyone 5 and older and no ID or proof of health insurance is required. See the clinic dates, times, and locations here.
Equity and Social Justice Webinar Series
The BU Wheelock Equity and Social Justice webinar series features academic and community experts in dialogue about a wide variety of topics related to equity and social justice. To learn more about the exciting webinars offered this month, view the event page here.
Gender Affirming Surgery Series
Gender Spectrum and the Gender Confirmation Center are hosting three (3) upcoming online events focused on gender affirming surgery. You can learn more and register using the following links:
Cultural Humility as a Methodology for Collaborating with Massachusetts Native Communities
This free training is being offered via Zoom on two (2) upcoming dates. Please choose the best date for you during registration.
- Friday, April 22nd | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm EST
- Friday, June 3rd | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm EST
4.5 hours of Continuing Education will be offered for Nurses (RN/LPN). To learn more and register, view the event page here.
Addressing Non-Suicidal Self Injury for Youth and Young Adults in Recovery
Thursday, April 28th | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm EST | Zoom (2.5 contact hours offered)
This training focuses on helping providers understand the differences between suicidal and non-suicidal self injurious (NSSI) behaviors, and to review therapeutic interventions used to address and reduce NSSI behavior for youth and young adults in substance use treatment.
The training is aimed towards anyone working with youth and young adults; prior knowledge is not required. Learn more and register here.
Conversations and Conundrums - Current Clinical Pediatrics 2022 Conference
Friday, April 29th | Virtual
This program will present clinically relevant, evidence-based cases and mini-lectures in a conversational format based on real-world scenarios encountered by today’s busy pediatrician. For more information, view the event page here.
Those who have remaining SHIELD credit can use it to attend this conference. Please email BU SHIELD at shieldbu@bu.edu if you are interested!
Defusing Tense Situations Workshop
Tuesday, May 3rd | 3:30 - 5:00 pm EST | Zoom
The defusing tense situations workshop is back! These sessions are free and we offer PDPs. Register here.
Commonwealth Challenges: Conversation Between Public Health & School Nurses Webinar
Thursday, May 5th | 6:00 - 7:30 pm EST | Zoom (1.5 contact hours will be awarded)
While the pandemic has emphasized the critical roles of the Public Health Nurses in improving population health, it also identified the need for the nursing population to better understand the impact of and more highly value these specialty practices. COVID-19 added additional responsibilities to these roles and a broader understanding of the complexity and continue value they bring to the profession and public health is needed. This nursing continuing professional development activity is being offered by American Nurses Association Massachusetts. To learn more, view the event page on SHIELD's website here and register here.
Every Pediatrician is a School Physician - Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
Tuesday, May 10th | 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST | Waltham, MA
The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) will be hosting the MCAAP Annual CME Edward Penn Lecture and Business Meeting at the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) in Waltham, MA. To learn more and register, view the event details here.
Racial Trauma and Youth: Assessment and Treatment Across the Lifespan
Thursday, June 16th | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm EST | Zoom (2.5 contact hours offered)
This workshop will present current scholarship highlighting the interpersonal, institutional, and systemic race-related experiences of youth. Strategies for assessing racial stress and the potential for trauma will be presented. The workshop will conclude with recommendations for treatment and fostering healing. Learn more and register here.
BU CME/CNE Office Conference
In July, the Mindfulness in the Age of Anxiety - Helping Kids, Teens and Families program will be offered. This hands-on, practical workshop will focus on adapting mindfulness for a range of people and settings. We will discuss the most recent brain science, building buy-in and engagement, and strategies for starting mindfulness programs in larger institutions such as schools and hospitals. You can register here.
Community Education Initiative Pediatric Health Assessment
August 10th - 11th | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm EST | Norwood, MA
The Community Education Initiative Pediatric Health Assessment event is back! To learn more, view the event flyer here.
More information and registration coming soon!
Recurring Support Group for School Nurses
There is a weekly virtual support group for school nurses happening every Monday night at 7 pm. Jennifer Caprio, a mental health clinician from Eliot Community Human Services (ECHS), will be hosting the sessions. The support group is open to all school nurses from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will remain active through May 2023. This group is a safe place to discuss how you are feeling, receive support, and get wellness tips. The flyer with the Zoom link can be found here. Please email Jennifer with any questions or concerns at jcaprio@eliotchs.org.
For even more upcoming events,
you can view the calendar on SHIELD's website here!
|
|
|
New Resources & Training Updates
|
|
MA Mandated School-Based Screenings Reference Tool
Shanyn Toulouse, Northeast Regional Consultant, created a lovely
screening guidelines "cheat sheet" that can be found on SHIELD's website here.
Audit Version of "Vision Clinical Update 2021" Now Available
The audit version of the course "Vision Clinical Update 2021: Addressing Health Inequities and Implementing New Protocols" is now available on SHIELD's website here. This course is free and only offers participation credit.
For learners seeking credit, CNEs are available for the standard version found here - fee applies.
SHIELD Training Update: BinaxNOW
The BinaxNOW training has just been added to SHIELD’s website as a self-paced course. Learners can review material on their own time and then register to participate in a return demonstration with a BinaxNOW trainer. Additional BinaxNOW resources and updates can be found on SHIELD's website here.
SHIELD continues to add new trainings to its website; for a summary of all courses and upcoming events, see this one-page listing.
Recorded Webinar Now Available From NEPHTC
NEPHTC recently hosted a Transgender Introductory Primer webinar and the recording is now available here.
After viewing the recording, participants will be able to:
- Understand basic terminology and theory as they relate to transgender health.
- Describe health disparities facing the transgender community.
- Identify resiliency factors, gender transition paths and support needs, and targeted best practices for serving the transgender community.
SBIRT Training Updates
M.G.L Chapter 71 Section 97 (Verbal screening tool for substance abuse disorders) of AN ACT RELATIVE TO SUBSTANCE USE, TREATMENT, EDUCATION AND PREVENTION (the STEP Act), mandates that each public school, charter school and vocational school utilize a verbal screening tool to screen pupils for substance use disorders annually. The STEP Act makes no determination as to which school professionals perform the screening. The only requirement is that each screener complete the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training, which is offered through Boston University School Health Institute for Education and Leadership Development (BU SHIELD). Please review school professionals’ workloads to determine who is best equipped to complete the substance use screening this year. If you have any questions on who can complete the screening in your school, please contact the MDPH Assistant Director of School Health Services, Caitlin Pettengill, at Caitlin.pettengill@mass.gov.
BU SHIELD offers a free two-part SBIRT training. The first part is online, self-paced and can be taken at any time. The second part is a live online session which is offered multiple times a month, year-round, on a continuous basis. If the posted dates will not work for your district, please reach out to Caitlin Pettengill directly. The MDPH School Health Unit is also offering an optional supplement training on vaping/nicotine. If you have taken the SBIRT course in the past, please know the optional course is not required.
Mental Health Series for School Health Professionals
This SHIELD training series now includes five self-paced courses with more to be released in March. For more information, visit SHIELD’s website here.
|
|
|
EpiPen4Schools® Program Announcement
The EpiPen4Schools ordering website is currently under maintenance. However, you can call 1-973-845-7600 to speak with a live representative. They will verify your school and contact information so they can email you an order form and instructions. If you are unfamiliar with this program, more information can be found on their website here.
|
|
|
MASSTART Clinical Consultation Program Update
RFR # 232927 for the MASSTART Clinical Consultation Program has been released.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (DCYSHN), Massachusetts Technology Assistance Resource Team (MASSTART) program seeks qualified vendors to provide services for the MASSTART Clinical Consultation Program.
Eligible applicants include hospitals, home health agencies and other organizations with registered nurses who have expertise in both the clinical nursing care of children/youth with special health needs (CYSHN) and in building partnerships with families, school nurses and other school personnel. Health care consulting firms are not eligible for this contract.
The purpose of the MASSTART program is to support the inclusion of children and youth with complex health needs in publicly funded schools (public, charter, educational, collaborative, and non-public schools). MASSTART service providers help families and schools plan for the health care and safety of children with special health care needs, especially those who are assisted by medical technology, regardless of race, ethnicity, primary language, place of residence in MA, and gender identity.
For more information, view the COMMBUYS - Bid Solicitation page here.
|
|
|
|
School Food Allergy Protocol Survey
Dear School Nurses,
My name is Dr. Lisa Bartnikas and I am an Allergist at Boston Children's Hospital. I am conducting a research study on school food allergy policies to help us better understand how food allergies are managed in schools.
We are conducting a survey of Massachusetts school nurses and your email address was provided by regional nurse consultants in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. I would really appreciate your participation in answering a survey about your school’s food allergy policies. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. We plan to administer this survey annually for the next 3 years, sending emails each spring, though you can start or stop participating at any time.
All information will be kept confidential and any information collected will be deidentified so that no nurse or school names or locations are made public.
The link to the survey can be found here. Please forward this message to any additional Massachusetts school nurses who might be able to provide information or who might be interested in completing this survey. Thank you very much for your time!
If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at lisa.bartnikas@childrens.harvard.edu.
Sincerely,
Lisa Bartnikas, MD
|
|
|
A Message From Your Medication Program Team:
The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) School Health Unit (SHU) has made a few changes to the medication and epinephrine registration procedure. The changes are part of a quality improvement plan to make the application process less cumbersome. There are revised applications and an updated guidance document for medication delegation and epinephrine training registration which will be posted to the MDPH SHU website and the BU SHIELD website soon. They were also mailed out through your Regional Consultants this week. If you are currently collecting signatures on an older version of the application, please feel free to continue and submit the older application.
Before explaining the changes, I would like to reflect over the last two years of registration. Prior to the pandemic the MDPH SHU registration process was 100% on paper. As MDPH transitioned to remote work in March 2020 SHU shifted the registration process online. The new process required a legal review, which resulted in two changes to be in compliance the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth. They are listed below, as well as a rationale from M.G.L. 94c § 7(a).
- The school/district must obtain a Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR),
- The school/district must register annually.
M.G.L. 94c § 7(a)
"Except in the case of a pharmacy, wholesale druggist or outsourcing facility, every person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses, or possesses with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense any controlled substance within the commonwealth shall upon payment of a fee, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, register with the commissioner of public health, in accordance with his regulations, said registration to be effective for one year from the date of issuance."
MDPH SHU has worked diligently to eliminate the required fee and additional process of applying for a MCSR. Please see the below changes listed in the new guidance document and reflected on the revised application:
- No school in the Commonwealth shall be charged a $300 fee to receive a MCSR.
- The MDPH SHU will act as a liaison for schools in registering for a MCSR. Schools/districts will no longer interface with the MDPH Drug Control Program or fill out a MCSR application. A school/district will submit an application to MDPH SHU, and MDPH SHU will approve the application via email with a MCSR attached. We have attached a sample MCSR to this email.
- The training requirement of Medication Managers will change from every 5 years to every 3 years starting in July 2022. BU SHIELD and MDPH SHU will continue to offer the course online. The two required courses have not changed; Medication Administration in a School Setting: School Nurse Practice in Massachusetts and Medication Administration in Schools: What School Nurse Managers Need to Know.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please reach out to Lauren Cosby at medication.delegation@mass.gov.
Thank you for everything you are doing for your students and school communities. We appreciate you all.
Warmly,
Caitlin & Lauren
|
|
|
|
Mandated Reporting for CSHS Funded Schools/Districts
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 worksheet. Questions related to CSHS mandated grant reporting should go to: DPH_ESHS_data@MassMail.State.MA.US.
|
|
|
Mandated Reporting for Non-CSHS Districts (public school)
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.
A worksheet for non-funded districts can be found here.
|
|
|
Mandated Reporting for ALL Schools/Districts
Asthma and Diabetes Survey: This year’s survey will be sent out in February and it will be an electronic form again this year. You should be getting it by email directly from us if you are on the list of regional school nurse coordinators or, if not, you should get it through your regional network. If you have questions or if you do not receive the survey by late February, please use the following email address to contact us: ped.asthma@mass.gov.
Epinephrine administration report form.
|
|
|
2021/2022 COVID-19 Protocols and
Testing Information on DESE Website
|
|
|
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and
liking how you do it.”
- Maya Angelou
|
|
School Health Screenings for PE Teachers 
BU SHIELD is excited to announce a new course offered: School Health Screenings for PE teachers. This free course is designed for PE teachers who are assisting with BMI and postural screenings.
|
|
|
 Youth Mental Health First Aid
The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) class is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
YMHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Date and Location: Due to the pandemic, this class is a blended learning program. Participants will complete 2 hours of self-paced work in advance of the YMHFA class. The individual work will be followed up by a 4.5 hour group class that will be held online.
Here are the dates for upcoming sessions:
- Tuesday, April 26th | 9:30am - 3:00pm (Register by 4/19)
Cost and Registration: This event is provided free of cost with grant funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Space is limited. Please pre-register.
For more information, visit this link or contact Erin Sullivan at esullivan@collaborative.org.
|
|
New Vision Screening Protocols (to begin in FY23)
The new vision screening protocol is now up on the BU SHIELD website for your reference and can be found here. As a reminder, schools/districts are not mandated to use this protocol until the 2022/2023 school year. Additional health screening resources can be found here.
New Vision Screening Course is now open! The November Clinical Update focused on the new vision screening requirements. This course was recorded and is now available for self-paced learning. This course is ideal for districts to use as a local professional development option. To access the course, follow this link.
|
|
Vision Screening during COVID. The National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness has updated the Considerations for Conducting Children's Vision Screening Safely in Schools, Head Start, and Early Care and Education Programs During the Covid-19 Pandemic. The resources includes a downloadable guide and FAQ. Please share these documents with your colleagues.
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Youth and Young Adults
|
|
|
COVID-19 Resources for Families of Children with Medical Complexity (CMC)
Families and providers can learn more about disability-friendly vaccination events across Massachusetts at www.VaxAbilities.com. These clinics support people with sensory and/or other accommodation needs to have the most positive and comfortable vaccination experience possible.
Lastly, this flyer on “Ways to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination” provides ways to partner with local primary care practices, schools, or boards of health to co-host family friendly vaccination clinics, disseminate information, or host a town hall to encourage vaccination for children and their parents/caregivers. There are several helpful resources that can be used to promote vaccination in our communities.
Please use these resources in your efforts to promote vaccination in the communities we serve. Thank you!
|
|
|
You may be seeing student and staff COVID-19 vaccination records, including those from other countries. AN IMPORTANT NOTE IN REGARD TO FOREIGN VACCINATION RECORDS: Unlike other vaccinations where we accept whatever the foreign formulation is, the U.S. is currently only accepting WHO-approved COVID vaccination formulations. Here is the link to the list of COVID-19 vaccines within the WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process; any vaccine marked “finalized” is accepted in the U.S. Please note, nurses should check this information frequently, as it is subject to change.
|
|
|
For key information about managing COVID-19 in Massachusetts, see these websites.
SHIELD COVID-19/BinaxNow Resources.
MDPH Website.
SHAH Family Foundation Pooled Testing Website.
|
For additional resources surrounding COVID-19, visit these websites.
NASN COVID-19 Resources.
|
|
|
|
