School Nursing and Health Resources

ADE VIRTUAL HEALTH OFFICE RESOURCE HUB

This page is designed to provide School Nursing and Health Staff with specialized resources and detailed information on the guidelines surrounding School Health Services in Arizona. Resources found on this page should be used to supplement information already made available by your local school board and county health department.

Arizona Specific Resources

Emergency Guidelines for Schools- Arizona REDBOOK (2025)

This document contains guidelines for helping an ill or injured student when the school nurse is not available. It is recommended that Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) utilize the procedure in the absence of a nurse.

'Guidelines for the Delivery of Specialized Health Care in the School Setting' (SNOA 2019)

This resource guide may assist school personnel in developing a plan of care in cooperation with the parent/guardian, medical provider, and school nurse. These guidelines were developed to assist the RN in making delegation decisions in the school environment.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

HIPAA vs. FERPA

HHS: Application of FERPA and HIPAA to Student Health Records

HHS: FAQs on HIPAA & FERPA

NASN: HIPAA and FERPA

In 2022, SB 1654 Schools; seizure management; treatment plans was introduced in the State of Arizona 55th Legislature Second Regular session and was signed by the Governor on April 29, 2022. The bill became ARS 15-160.02 and included language for the Board of Education to adopt rules as necessary to administer this law. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, the parent or guardian of a student who has a seizure disorder and who is enrolled in a school that is operated by a school district or a charter school in Arizona may submit to the school district or charter school in which the student is enrolled a copy of a seizure management and treatment plan for school personnel to use if the student suffers a seizure at school or while participating in a school-sponsored activity. The plan must be developed by the student’s parent or guardian and the physician or registered nurse practitioner responsible for the student’s seizure treatment. The law also stipulates a review of the plan and training for school staff. Below are resources and information to assist schools with law implementation. In June 2024, the Board of Education approved rules to accompany implementation of ARS 15-160.02.

Introduction of SB1654; Schools; Seizure management; Treatment Plans Resources:

Arizona Senate Bill 1654

15-160.02 Law: Seizure Management and Treatment Plans

Arizona State Board of Education: Approved Training & Related Training Requirements:

AZSBE Website and Submission of Personalized Trainings

Training Review Guidelines for School Nurses

Training Review Guidelines: Other School Personnel

Intake Form and Checklist

Board-Approved Epilepsy Foundation Seizure Safe Schools Courses

Seizure Epilepsy Resources

New! Seizure Action Plan (SAP) Templates (2024):

Arizona Seizure Action Plan – Fillable (must download)

Arizona Seizure Action Plan – Non-Fillable (must download )

Arizona Seizure Action Plan - Black and White Non-Fillable (must download)

Additional Resources:

CDC Epilepsy Data and Statistics

CDC Epilepsy in Schools

Managing Epilepsy in Schools

Epilepsy Foundation

National Association of School Nurses (NASN): School Nursing Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy (2018)

Seizure Action Plan Coalition

School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy CPG Implementation Toolkit

School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy

Implementing SB 1654: How Schools Can Successfully Meet the Law's Requirements and Establish Seizure Action Plans at Their School

Passcode: TbhB!q3x

ADE wants to remind you of the behavioral health services available to students. Behavioral health services for children who qualify for Medicaid (AHCCCS) may receive services through their AHCCCS health plan. Further, uninsured and underinsured students may also receive behavioral health services paid by AHCCCS under the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG), the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG), and, for a limited time, with the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund.

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-104. Mental health screening; consent; form; exemption

Check out Teen Lifeline and Project AWARE (ADE), and Suicide Prevention for training and additional support!

Arizona offers three stock medication programs for schools: Stock Inhalers, Epinephrine, and Narcan. A school may decide to participate in none, one, two, or all programs. The following information will help you learn more about each program and the necessary steps to complete to offer these programs at your school.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) offers an online program, the School Surveillance and Medication Program (SSMP), to assist schools in participating in the stock programs. The SSMP walks you through the requirements, including annual training and items that will be needed to implement the program. Currently, MCDPH is working with all Arizona public schools to implement the stock inhaler and epinephrine programs, collecting data and offering the annual standing orders, assuming schools sign up through the SSMP and follow the requirements. By starting with the SSMP site, you will gather the information and tips to establish a stock medication program. For schools to participate, they must enroll in the School Surveillance and Medication Program (SSMP) web application. After completing and submitting each of the requirements, your school can obtain and receive annual standing orders and a prescription from the MCDPH Medical Director.

The Stock Albuterol Program in Schools was put in place in 2017 by state law HB 2208, Emergency administration of inhalers by trained personnel; immunity; definitions, and is in law as ARS 15-158. The Arizona Asthma Coalition has a thorough description of the program. Questions specific to the implementation may be sent to Ashley Lowe via email at [email protected].

New! Training: Stock Albuterol Inhaler Training for School Personnel 2023-2024

The Stock Epinephrine Program in School. If a school opts to implement the Stock Inhaler Program there are rules, R7-2-810 Emergency Administration of Inhalers, in place by the State Board of Education regarding training, obtaining the medication standing order, and administering procedures in emergencies.

This program was put into place in 2018 by state law HB 2085, Emergency administration of epinephrine auto-injectors by trained personnel; immunity and is in law as ARS 15-157.

If a school opts to implement the Stock Epinephrine Program, there are rules, R7-2-809 Emergency Administration of Auto-Injectable Epinephrine, in place by the State Board of Education regarding training, storage, and use of the medication in schools. The Kyah Rayne Foundation also helps with the Stock Epinephrine Program in Schools.

New! Training: Kyah’s EPICourse 2-23-2024
This e-learning course provides mandatory training for school personnel designated to administer the epinephrine auto-injector.

The Stock Narcan Program is part of the AZ Opioid Epidemic Act/Action Plan implemented in 2018. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has a website with information offering a standing order for Narcan and a form to complete to receive a supply of the medication. ADHS also offers some links to Narcan administration training, though none are specific for schools. Development of training for schools is in development, and discussions are underway to incorporate the Stock Narcan Program within the SSMP. This site will be revised as updates are available. The SSMP Program can also support this, and Naloxone for School Personnel training will be available soon.

Arizona law does not require AEDs in schools. However, a school site that obtains an AED is not authorized to allow its use until all requirements of the state law have been met at that site.

Here are the Arizona laws for AEDs.

Note: The law does not require or indicate what type of AED should be utilized in schools. When considering which AED to purchase, consider these 5 important factors: total cost of ownership, size and weight, connectivity, pediatric capabilities, and fully automatic vs. semi-automatic.

Article 3	Automated External Defibrillators
36-2261	Definitions
36-2262	Automated external defibrillators: use, requirements
36-2263	Civil liability; limited immunity; Good Samaritan
36-2264	Exemption from regulations

AEDs In Schools

It is important to advocate for AEDs in our schools as AEDs can drastically improve the survival rate of students and adults in schools who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest.1 Once trained, anyone can use an AED; here are some tips to follow when implementing AEDs in your school.

AEDs should be within 3 minutes of every location within the school. Each school is different and may have a different policy on where to place their AEDs, but you may want to ensure they are placed near the gymnasium, in the main lobby, with the nurse, with the athletic trainer, and/or in the middle of the hallways.
A designated staff member should be responsible for maintaining all AEDs within the school. This means doing monthly maintenance checks such as ensuring the battery and pads are plugged in, ensuring the machine is not beeping, and checking the Active Status Indicator Light is flashing green. A log of all monthly maintenance checks should be kept to be sure the AED is ready to be used.
A Cardiac Emergency Action Plan is a written plan that explains the exact actions that will take place in an emergency. These actions should be very clear and very specific. Click here for sample plans that can be utilized at your school.
Implement Life-Saving Drills to be prepared for a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. This will help the Cardiac Response Team practice their Cardiac Emergency Action Plan to help save a life in an emergency. These drills should be done once annually, as cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any age, and it is crucial these steps are in place to give someone the best possible chance of surviving

Andersen LW, Holmberg MJ, Granfeldt A, Lofgren B, Vellano K, McNally BF, et al. on behalf of the CARES Surveillance Group. Neighborhood characteristics, bystander automated external defibrillator use, and patient outcomes in public out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2018;126:72–79.

Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome

The SADS Foundation recommends that all children with a SADS condition have an Individualized Care Plan, a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, and an AED program at their school. If you have a SADS child at your school and have not had a discussion with their parents about care plans, we strongly suggest you do so today. Please view the SADS Foundation School Nurse webpage for additional information, support, and resources.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

School Nurses’ Perceived Barriers and Perceptual Influences When Implementing AED Programs

Project Adam: CPR & AED Resources

Project Adam Arizona Affiliate

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) State Law Fact Sheet

Register your AED: Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education (AZ SHARE)

ADHS Sensory Screening Program

Updated (2024) Hearing and Vision Screening Guidance

ADHS Sensory Screening Program Training

COVID-19 Considerations: Checklist and Guidelines for Schools (ADHS 9/2020)

Arizona Revised State Statutes and Rules: Vision Screening / Hearing Screening

Please see the ADHS, Schools and Child Care Centers - Immunization Requirements & Forms webpage for all necessary information.

Immunization Data Reports (IDRs)

TAPI Immunization Resources for School Nurses & Health Office Staff

Arizona Personal Belief Exemption Map

Health Conditions, Diseases, & Infections

Sample templates found in this section may be used at the discretion of the school district governing board and are not mandated by ADE.

'Arizona Resource Guide: Supporting Children with Life-Threatening Food Allergies' (2012)

Protocol for Emergency Administration of Epinephrine in School - ADHS & ADE (2019)

School Training Presentation for Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injector for Anaphylaxis - ADHS (2019)

Template: Standard Orders for Auto-Injectable Epinephrine in a School Setting - AHDS & ADE (2019)

Report Form for School Emergency Administration of Auto-Injectable Epinephrine - ADHS (2019)

Allergies & Anaphylaxis (NASN)

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (FARE)

Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative & Toolkit (American Lung Association)

Arizona Asthma Coalition

American Diabetes Association - Arizona Revised Statutes (15-344.01)

Diabetes In Children

Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Toolkit: Educating Families About Early Detection Screening for Type 1 Diabetes

Helping the Students with Diabetes Succeed (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2020)

Type 1 Diabetes Information Sheet

Type 1 Diabetes Care in School: Arizona-Specific Video

Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona

Epilepsy (CDC)

Seizure Training for School Nurses: Caring for Students (Epilepsy Foundation)

Lice Lessons: NASN Tools For School Nurses

An educational initiative designed to help school nurses reduce fear and stigma and help parents navigate treatment choices.

Communicable Disease Reporting - ADHS Schools & Childcare Facilities

'Infectious Disease Flip Chart' (ADHS 2017)

This Flip Chart serves as a reference guide for individuals responsible for the health and safety of children in school and childcare settings.

Healthy Kids App

Influenza in Arizona - ADHS Schools & Childcare Facilities

ADHS Toolkit: Guidelines for Controlling Influenza-Like Illness Outbreaks in Schools and Childcare Facilities (2020)

Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools

Mental Health Webinar: A Guide for School Nurse & Health Staff (Nov 2021) / PDF Slides

ADE partnered with Touchstone Health Services, Teen Lifeline, and Project AWARE to educate Arizona school nurses and health office staff on how to identify and respond to common mental health challenges youth face in relation to COVID-19. Click the link below and enter the passcode to access the recorded event!

Addressing Anxiety & Stress (NASN)

Mental Health Resources (NASN)

Talk. They Hear You (SAMHSA)

Monkeypox TAPI Resources

CDC Monkeypox Resources

CDC Monkeypox Key Messages

Schools, Early Care and Education Programs, and Other Settings Serving Children or Adolescents (FAQ)

How Monkeypox Spreads

Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings

What You Need to Know about Monkeypox if You Are a Teen or Young Adult

Reducing Stigma in Monkeypox Communication and Community Engagement

Vaccines

Information For Healthcare Professionals

Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox

Signs and Symptoms

The resources below can support building healthy environments that support student health and academic achievement.

CDC Healthy Schools Resources

Arizona Summer Food Service Program

ADHS Nutrition and Physical Activity

The Language of Health Style Guide

ADE Safe and Healthy Students

ADE Comprehensive School Wellness

AZ Health Zone

Health & Nutrition Services (ADE)

Healthy Schools: Obesity (CDC)

School Representatives - Nutrition & Physical Activity (ADHS)

Healthy Schools: Oral Health (CDC)

ADHS Office of Oral Health

Cavity-Free AZ Sealant Program: School-based Sealant Program, Fluoride Mouth Rinse Program, and Fluoride Varnish Program

School-Based Dental Sealant Program, Fluoride Mouth Rinse Program, Fluoride Varnish Program

Maricopa County's First Teeth First

Maricopa County's Office of Oral Health administers basic oral screenings, education, and referrals at no cost to pregnant women and children 0-5 years of age. Eligible children can also receive fluoride varnish.

Nursing Licensure & Scope of Practice Resources

Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) supports advancement of the nursing profession to promote a healthy Arizona.

The mission of the Arizona State Board of Nursing(AZBN) is to protect and promote the welfare of the public by ensuring that each person holding a nursing license or certificate is competent to practice safely.

Scope of Practice- Registered Nurse (RN)

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) focuses on five areas, that together, ensure that school nurses are equipped to address the comprehensive health needs of students on:

Student-Centered Care: NASN emphasizes the role of school nurses in providing quality health care to students, addressing both physical and mental health to promote academic success.
Leadership: NASN promotes leadership development among school nurses, empowering them to influence health policies and practices within schools and communities.
Advocacy: NASN is committed to advocating for policies at local, state, and national levels that support the health and well-being of students, as well as ensuring access to school health services.
Quality Improvement: NASN focuses on improving the quality of school health services by supporting evidence-based practice, data collection, and continuous professional development.
Community and Public Health: NASN emphasizes the importance of school nurses in public health, working to prevent illness, manage chronic conditions, and promote health education in the broader school community.

NASN Position Statements

The School Nurses Organization of Arizona (SNOA) advocates for and supports the health and educational success of Arizona‘s children by promoting the advancement of professional school nursing.

SNOA School Nursing Resources Page