INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN IN FY’09! School Health Services Help Reduce Health Disparities and Reduces Health Barriers to Learning Please add $3.3 million to the School Health Line Item (4590-0250) in FY’ 09 and increase the bottom line appropriation from $16.7 million to $20 million. Increase the earmark for “school nurses and school based health centers” from $15 million to $18 million. This would enable 35- 40 additional school districts to be eligible for funding to support school nursing services and additional communities to develop much needed school-based health centers. Increase the earmark for “mental health and substance abuse services in school based health centers” from $300,000 to $600,000. This increase would allow nearly twice as many students to access mental health and substance abuse services in school-based health centers. In FY’04, funding for school health services was cut by 50%, curtailing access to health care for the Commonwealth’s school children and impacting the standards of health care and services provided in the public and private school settings Essential School Health Services Grant (ESHS) ESHS supports school nursing and the priorities of the MDPH Eliminates racial and ethnic disparities in health by providing school health services to every child, not exclusive of cultural background and socioeconomic or health insurance status Promotes wellness in school, home, community, and workplace School Nurses implement State mandated health screenings for children (Vision, Hearing, Growth, and Postural Screenings) School nurses are the gate keepers regarding Immunizations School Nurses are the “safety net” for children and families Manages chronic diseases of children ESHS Promotes the State’s initiative for Health Care Reform. School nurses provide informational materials and applications to families about Commonwealth Health Connector and referrals to MassHealth, Children’s Security Plan, or Commonwealth Care Data is generated by school nurses as to how many families are referred and enroll in a State Health Insurance ESHS Grant Funding ESHS Grants provide a support system that enhances the nursing care services to 102 school districts and over 543,000 students (approximately half of MA students). Support School Nurses who are responsible for the health services of 250 - 1,200 students per school Supports school nurse services for about 40 - 100 students in the health office per day Supports the salaries of approximately 300 out of the 2000 school nurses in the State The Goals of the Essential School Health Services Grants are to Strengthen the school health nurse infrastructure through the role of a School Nurse Leader Implement health education/tobacco control programs Promote linkages with community providers ensuring each child has a “medical home” Promote linkages with health insurance Implement school health data systems that facilitate computerized health records and the ability to generate critically important data about school health services, children’s health conditions, and public health issues Provide consultation and assistance to recipient public school districts and non public schools thus extending the benefits of the Grant to most districts in the Commonwealth. ESHS facilitates the generation of public health data School nursing services were provided in 1,637 public and 260 non-public schools. In 2006, there were over 6 million student encounters with school nurses in addition to the state mandated screenings required by law. ESHS funding supports Essential school health personnel Health Supplies Medical Equipment & Machines Computer Technology & Software Medical and Health Textbooks & References Professional Development School Nursing in Massachusetts School nurses are present in every school system and work to: meet state mandates for immunizations and screening, administer medications and treatments, assist with educational planning for kids with special health and education needs, serving on the front line as medical first responders for disasters and other public health emergencies, and coordinating care to primary care providers, often with School- Based Health Center staff who also provide this care along with mental health services, monitoring health outcomes, and enrolling families into MassHealth, the Children’s Medical Security Plan, and Commonwealth Care. School nursing and school health services reduce absenteeism, decrease the number of emergency room visits, and provide a full range of nursing and health care services. School Based Health Centers provide medical care and social support to underserved and difficult to reach children and youth. 91.1% of students seen in the school nurse office are returned to class. Significant health disparities exist among Asian, Black and Latino children. Asian, Black and Latino children with asthma, diabetes, cancer and other chronic illnesses have shown to have less access to quality health care and health insurance. The health of school children has become more complex. Children with severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer and other special health care needs, and chronic medical conditions are enrolled in our schools. In addition, there has been a rise of social problems among our youth such as substance abuse, depression, and violence. For further information, please contact the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization: Kathy Hassey 978-287-4284 hassey@msno.org Mimi Stamer 508-212- 5234 stamer@msno.org Policy Strategists: GCraven@policystrategists.com or sober@policystrategists.com