School Nursing and Health Services

 The Arizona Seizure Safe Schools Act and Seizure Action Plan 

The Arizona Seizure Safe Schools Act – SB 1654 was signed on April 29^th, 2022. SB 1654 allows parents or guardians of a student with a seizure disorder to submit a seizure management and treatment plan to a school district or charter school and ensure the plan is made available to school personnel responsible for the supervision of the student. In addition, the act requires school personnel, who have regular contact with a student with a submitted plan, to complete online training on seizure recognition and first aid every five years. To read the full law, please click here.

To best prepare for this new law, in collaboration with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Epilepsy Foundation, and the School Nurse Data Committee, a seizure action plan has been created. To access this form, navigate to the School Nursing and Health Services page under Nursing Procedures and Delegation, where you will find the Seizure Action Plan Templates and Information. In March 2023, ADE will host a Seizure Action Plan training, please continue to continue to stay connected for more information.

We encourage you to bookmark this page to access additional specialized resources and detailed information on the guidelines surrounding School Health Services in Arizona.

Arizona School Nurse Convention 

The October 1st School Nurse Convention was a great success! 90 attendees met at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel in Chandler for presentations delivering updates on new Arizona laws impacting school health services, diabetes, seizure disorders, stock medication programs, and mental health disorders and management solutions. The event brought 15 fantastic school health vendors and celebrated the new school nurses, mentors, and NCSNs through the Arizona School Nurse Access Program. A special congratulations to Karen Reuter, MSN, RN, for being awarded the first Arizona School Nurse Lifetime Service Award! 

SN Convention.png

It was truly a full day of honoring school nursing and the commitment school nurses make to our schools each day. 

Please see below for copies of each presenter's slides.

1. Epilepsy and Seizures in Schools 
2. Stakeholder partnerships and the Stock Inhaler for School Program: Expanding access across Arizona
3. Arizona Policy Update for School Nurses
4. Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents
5. Privacy laws impacting the School Nurse

 

Guidance Documents 

1. Stock Inhaler Program: Quick Reference Guide for Schools
2. Joint Guidance on the Implementation of HIPAA and FERPA

 

 Healthy Kids AZ Mobile App

Healthy Kids AZ is a mobile app built specifically for Arizona’s school nurses and children carchildcareo take care of our pediatric population daily. The app provides access to an up-to-date resource in the palm of their hand. With Healthy Kids AZ, school nurses and childcare staff have the ability to: 

1. Access the AZ Infectious Disease and Childcare & School Health “Flip Charts”
2. Search for public clinics, FQHCs, RHCs, dental clinics, and vision & hearing clinics in your area
3. Contact your local public health department with one 1-click
4. Find AZ-required vaccines and infection control guidance

  If you haven't before, make sure you check out this great resource!

 The Bivalent Booster Approval

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that teenagers and adults get updated booster shots from Pfizer or Moderna. This shot, also called a bivalent vaccine, targets both the original coronavirus strain and the current omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5. Now, to be fully vaccinated, this would include the first 2 vaccines (primary series) and the bivalent booster. 

The suggestion for timing for the shot was 12 weeks (post-infection or last vaccination) as the ‘ideal’ spot, but your risk and concerns may modify this. A booster shot aids in temporarily neutralizing antibodies to help prevent infection and transmission, and helps the secondary line of defense. In terms of the type of booster, research doesn’t show a difference with mixing/matching. However, for younger men under 30 years, the risk of myocarditis is higher, so Pfizer may be better as it has less RNA and is seen to have a lower risk. It is okay to get the bivalent booster with other vaccines and we will likely see PSAs encourage same-day vaccination for the bivalent booster and the flu vaccine, especially in those over 65 years.

Lastly, the Pfizer booster is recommended for those 12 and older and the Moderna vaccine is recommended for those 18 and older. This poses a question for our children. Those 5-11 years hope to see the bivalent booster by the end of 2022. Until then, it is recommended to keep up to date with the primary boosters.

This is very exciting news as we continue to navigate COVID-19 together.  

For more information, please read here.

Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP)

ADE with funding support from ADHS will be implementing the Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP), an aptly named program to expediently increase the number of school nurses in Arizona. The ASAP will support the professional growth and development of both new-to-practice school nurses as well as the incumbent workforce.

Learn more about the goal, mission, and outcomes of the ASAP program HERE.

Stock Medication Programs In Schools

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.

School Surveillance and Medication Program (SSMP)

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.

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].

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. 

The Stock Epinephrine Program in Schools 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. 

 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.

If you are looking for more resources and how to implement this program within yourschool, please click here. 

 February 9th, 2023, 10 Things School Nurses and Health Office Staff Need to Know about Why We Immunize

The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) is offering a FREE training, “10 Things School Nurses and Health Office Staff Need to Know about Why We Immunize” on February 9^th, 2023, from 3pm – 4:30pm. The training will discuss the fundamentals of immunization, the impact of vaccines as disease prevention, and tips for completing the Immunization Data Report (IDR). We will also discuss how to protect the families and communities you serve and how to answer parent’s questions about vaccines. This training is appropriate for school nurses, social workers, vaccine coordinators, health educators, medical assistants and those who work with in a school health setting.

If you are a Social Worker, Registered Nurse, or Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), 1.5 CEUs are available. You must be present for at least 90% of the live training to receive CEU’s.

Register Here!

 February 11th, 2023, 14th Annual School Healthcare Training Event 

Save the date for the 14th Annual University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center School Healthcare Training Event! All school nurses, medical office staff, administration, teachers, and school personnel are encouraged to attend and topics will include student health management in asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, medication and more. Participation of attendance will be awarded that may be used for CEUS. Registration is $35 dollar and continental breakfast, and lunch will be included.

Register Here!

 June 12th and 13th. 2023: Back to Basics: The ABCs of School Nursing

The School Nurses Organization of Arizona invites you to join them for the 34th Annual School Health Services Conference, Monday, June 12^th, and Tuesday June 13^th, 2023, at the Desert Willow Conference Center. This conference will once again offer participants hands on workshops, a wealth of resources and ideas to provide safe and quality school health services for Arizona’s students. RNs, LPNs, Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, Health Educators, School Administrators and School Health Services Stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Please refer to the SNOA website for the save the date and further information. 

Save the Date

October 24th, 2022, Youth Substance Use in Arizona: Current Trends and Prevention Practices to Mitigate Risk 

The ADE Comprehensive School Wellness Program hosted a  free virtual discussion on Youth Substance Use In Arizona on October 24, 2022. 

Topic: Youth Substance Use in Arizona: Current Trends and Prevention Practices to Mitigate Risk 

Objectives of the Webinar:

• Learn more about substance use trends among Arizona youth.
• Explain common risk factors for substance use and know what to look for when someone needs help.
• Gain resources to help keep youth safe and/or obtain treatment when they need it. 
• Gain resources on prevention practices that effectively mitigate risks associated with youth substance use.

• Target Audience: K-12 school nurses and mental health professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about youth substance use is welcome!

Please see below for the webinar recording and slides. 

Webinar Recording

Webinar Slides

Webinar Recording Passcode:  GN#%?5qp

 October 12th, 2022, Keeping Kids Healthy This School Year 

The CDC Foundation recently hosted the  “Keeping Kids Healthy this School Year” webinar in partnership with the Vaccine Equity Cooperative! During the webinar, experts provided an overview of the most recent COVID-19 vaccination guidance, including the latest CDC recommendations on bivalent boosters for children 5 years and older, and shared insights into the latest COVID-19 vaccination data. Strategies to both increase vaccination rates and protect children from COVID-19 this school year were also highlighted, which included:

1. Implementing the "no wrong door" approach, which utilizes community health clinics, school-based health centers, and primary care centers to increase vaccine equity for children who have the lowest vaccination rates, but highest social vulnerability;
2. Framing vaccine conversations with hesitant parents/guardians using the 3 C’s of Convenience, Confidence, and Complacency to reiterate the fact that COVID remains a top concern; and
3. Using a wrap-around approach of vaccinating teachers, staff, and whole families to help ensure our children are further protected from COVID-19 infection.

Webinar Recording

 August 18th, 2022, Community Connections: Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and a yearly reminder of the importance of vaccines. In this webinar, participants learned how your body fights against pathogens, why immunization is important, and some of the common side effects that you may experience as your immune system fights back. The recording and slides can be found below for on-demand learning.

Webinar Recording

Resources mentioned in the webinar:

1. TAPI_Lifetime_Flyer_2022.pdf (lung.org)
2. TAPI_10_Things_Parents.pdf (lung.org)
3. American Lung Association | American Lung Association

 May 10th, 2022, School Nurse Professional Development Webinar

webinar infographic_0.png

Date: Tuesday, May 10th

Time 3:00pm-4:00pm

Title:  School Health Offices in the Vortex of the Pandemic

Learning objectives: 

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Understand Public Health outbreak control measures as they affect schools
• Describe how those measures were (and weren’t) applied to the current pandemic
• Understand recent changes to authority that impact future responses

Speaker:  Dr. Bob England

Speaker Bio: “Dr. Bob is the Interim Executive Director for The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, our state’s immunization coalition.  He’s a career-long public health doctor, who has run three local health departments, including Pima and Maricopa Counties, as well as having been the State Epidemiologist for Arizona.  He keeps trying to retire but just can’t while COVID is still a thing, and has made a second career of being a ‘permanent interim.’ He spent the last 20 years of his career endlessly preparing for and drilling for a pandemic.  He wants to share his insight as to just how badly that worked out, and why.”

Watch the recorded webinar below and follow along with the Presentation Slides (PDF).

Webinar Recording

Here is a quick survey to let us know how you liked the webinar.

February 2nd, 2022, Managing Student Asthma in School During COVID-19 

The Arizona Department of Education partnered with the University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center and the Arizona Asthma Coalition to host a webinar about asthma management in schools during COVID-19 for School Nurses and School Health Office Staff on February 2, 2022.

Presenters: Lynn Gerard, Ph.D., MSPH, and Wayne Morgan, MD

Lynn Gerard, Ph.D., MSPH: University of Arizona Professor, Public Health; Endowed Chair, Zuckerman Family Prevention and Lifestyle Medicine; Distinguished Outreach Professor and Member of the Graduate Faculty.

Wayne Morgan, MD: University of Arizona Professor, Pediatrics; Professor, Physiology; Associate Director, Asthma/Airway Disease Research Center and Member of the Graduate Faculty

About Our Partners: The University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center (UAPPC) is part of a national network of healthcare training programs funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to enhance care for children with chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma, neuromuscular diseases, and cystic fibrosis. Established in 2000, the UAPPC is focused on building the capacity of healthcare providers to serve children with special healthcare needs.

Objectives: After the webinar, school nurses, health office staff, and other attendees will be able to:

• Identify at least two impacts COVID-19 may have on children with asthma
• State at least two new changes in the asthma guidelines for children with asthma
• List at least three community resources for children with asthma to assist with asthma management

Click the link below to view the recorded webinar. After viewing, complete the webinar evaluation to receive a certificate of attendance.  Presentation Slides (PDF).

Zoom Recording

 November 3rd, 2021 Mental Health Webinar: A Guide for School Nurse & Health Staff 

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 about COVID-19.  Click the link below and enter the passcode to access the recorded event!

Zoom Passcode: NURSE2020*  /  Presentation Slides (PDF) 

Zoom Recording

School Nurse (SN) HUDDLES

coffee chat computer and stetho.jpg

Join us to connect and chat with school nurses and health office staff from across the state to share ideas, address challenges, gather updates, and receive support. Huddles are hosted every month by an RN Health Consultant and School Health & Wellness Specialist with ADE.  Meetings have a relaxed structure where participants are encouraged to come and go as they please.

"A good plan starts in the huddle!"

Date: Third Wednesday of every month

Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m. (MST)

Registration: HUDDLE Registration

Have a topic you would like to be addressed in an upcoming HUDDLE? Email Us!

Nurses' Notes Newsletter

Sign up for our School Nurse Newsletter below to receive our monthly newsletter, Nurses' Notes.

School Nurse Spotlight

Great Jobjpg.jpg

Do you know a School Nurse or Health Office staff member in Arizona who deserves some appreciation?! 

Submit their information and story below for the chance to be featured in the monthly ADE newsletter for school nurses, Nurses' Notes.

Spotlight Nomination Form

Data Committee

The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Data Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses to meet, share ideas and questions about school health data collected and to work collaboratively to collect, analyze and understand school health data to improve the health of school-age children and to enhance school nursing in Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with topics of interest for scheduled meetings and support activities the committee elects to address through acceptance of assignments to further the goals of the committee.

The Arizona Department of Education, School Safety & Social Wellness Unit, will support the efforts of the School Nurse Data Committee by hosting the committee meetings and providing staff support to facilitate note-taking and other administrative activities required by the committee. Partners including other state agencies and Arizona nursing organizations will be recruited to support the committee activities as needed to assure successful committee outcomes.

The committee members will select a chair to guide the committee and this position will be selected at least annually, providing an opportunity for committee members to serve as chair if interested.  School nurses can join the committee at any time to assist with the work of the committee and the members will set the frequency and time of meetings.

We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee. Sign up HERE!

Past Data Committee Meeting Minutes

August 23rd, 2022 Meeting Minutes

September 20th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

October 18th, 2022 Meeting Minutes 

November 15th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

Seizure Action Plan Committee

A Seizure Action Plan (SAP) contains the essential information schools need to help a student who has seizures. The lack of a standard SAP has led to a variety of different plans in practice across Arizona. This puts undue stress on school and health care providers when it comes time to collect and interpret plans into an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. 

Phoenix Children's Hospital has partnered with ADE and the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona to develop a simplified SAP that can be adopted statewide. The SAP Committee is currently seeking the help of school nurses to push this effort forward!

Interested in joining the SAP Committee? Sign up HERE!

Leadership Committee

The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Leadership Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses serving in leadership roles within school districts to meet, share ideas and questions, and work collaboratively on school nursing practice to enhance school nursing in Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled meetings and support activities the committee elects to address through acceptance of assignments to further the goals of the committee.

The Arizona Department of Education, School Safety & Social Wellness Unit, will support the efforts of the School Nurse Leadership Committee by hosting the committee meetings, assisting with data and information gathering as needed, and providing staff support to facilitate note-taking and other administrative activities required by the committee. Partners including other state agencies and Arizona nursing organizations will be recruited to support the committee activities as needed to assure successful committee outcomes.

The committee members will select a chair to guide the committee and this position will be selected at least annually, providing an opportunity for committee members to serve as chair if interested.  School nurse leaders can join the committee at any time to assist with the work of the committee and the members will set the frequency and time of meetings.

We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee. Sign up HERE!

Past Leadership Committee Meeting Minutes

March 28, 2022, Meeting Minutes

April 25th. 2022 Meeting Minutes

July 25th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

August 29th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

October 31st, 2022 Meeting Minutes

November 28th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

Professional Development Committee 

The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Professional Development Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses to meet, discuss and help plan professional development events such as webinars, conferences, and other activities to support the education needs of school nurses and health staff in school health offices throughout Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled events and suggest and/or help secure speakers for topics identified.

The Arizona Department of Education, School Safety & Social Wellness Unit, will support the efforts of the School Nurse Professional Development Committee by hosting the committee meetings, assisting with data needed to plan events, and providing staff support to facilitate planning, promoting, and organizing professional opportunities. Partners including other state agencies and Arizona nursing organizations will be recruited to support the committee activities as needed to assure successful professional development outcomes.

The committee will select a chair to guide the committee from members of the committee.  School nurses can join the committee at any time to assist with the work of the committee and the members will set the frequency and time of meetings.

We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee. Sign up HERE!

Past PD Committee Meeting Minutes 

March 1st, 2022 Meeting Minutes

April 5th, 2022 Meeting Minutes 

May 3rd, 2022 Meeting Minutes

August 2nd, 2022 Meeting Minutes

September 6th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

October 4th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

November 1st, 2022 Meeting Minutes

December 6th, 2022 Meeting Minutes

2021 Survey Results

Nurse Survey Graph Pic.jpg

Thank you to our 390 respondents to the 2021 survey. The full report is available in this pdf. We are using the responses to establish professional development (PD) opportunities, enhance our technical assistance for school nurses and guide our partnerships with the School Nurses Organization of Arizona (SNOA), the Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA), the Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing (AzFFN) and other state agencies including the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to enhance our support of school nursing. Join us in this effort by attending our virtual PD offerings, school nurse committees, or SN HUDDLES. Together we can advance school nursing and bring additional resources and supports to your health office.

 Pat VanMaanen, RN Health Consultant

Patricia (Pat) VanMaanen, MS, BSN, RN, has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, currently working as a health consultant to address health issues across a variety of clinical, community, and state-level projects. Pat has provided health care and social service project management, policy analysis, technical writing, needs assessments and community surveys, and other services, often with a focus on children’s health. She supports clients’ understanding of health needs by analyzing public health data and identifying how diseases, conditions, and social determinants affect specific populations and geographic areas.

Pat holds a Master of Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan. She serves or has served on several boards and advisory committees including the Arizona Public Health Association, the American Nurses Association PAC Board, the First Things First State Health Advisory Committee (Co-Chair), the Arizona Nurses Association Public Policy Committee, the St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Community Benefit and Health Equity Committee (formerly CHIN) and the Children’s Action Alliance Healthy Children Coalition.

She is the 2019 recipient of the Arizona Public Health Association Harold B Woodward Achievement Award, the First Things First 2014 Champion for Young Children Award, the 2009 recipient of the Reach Out and Read Arizona Early Literacy Leader of the Year, and the 2007 recipient of the Arizona Public Health Association Senator Andy Nichols Honor Award.