Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, Current Issues
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    Table of Contents


    "Hudson Public Schools: Building a Concussion Team"
    12/3/11 MSNO/Lahey Clinic Concussion Program
    To read more, please click here.

    "Dr. Lawson Academic Accommodations for Concussions"
    12/3/11 MSNO/Lahey Clinic Concussion Program
    To read more, please click here.

    Marie Desito's Discussion on NASN Radio on Pulse Oximetry in Schools.

    To read more, please click here.

    Revised 2011 School and College Immmunization Requirements

    To read more, please click here.

    MA School Nurse Research Network

    Free or Affordable Health Care Programs in MA.



    Revised School and College Immunization Requirements Effective September 2011

    The following information documents revised school immunization requirements which become effective September 1, 2011. Previous notifications about these changes have been sent in the spring and fall of 2010.

    For your information, we have attached the regulations, as well as a memo outlining the changes. We ask that you share this information with your colleagues and other interested parties.
      Revised School Immunizations for Fall 2011.doc
      State Immunization Law Revised 2011.pdf
      Childhood Vaccine Availability.doc

    If you have any questions, please call the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800.

    In brief, the vaccine changes for September 2011 include:
    · 2 doses measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for entry to kindergarten, 7th grade, full-time college freshmen and all health science students

    · 2 doses varicella vaccine for entry to kindergarten, 7th grade, full-time college freshmen and all health science students

    · 1 dose Tdap vaccine for entry to 7th grade, full-time college freshmen and all health science students





    MSNO was honored to receive a “Public Health Hero” award at the H1N1 Summit: “Responding to H1N1 Influenza: Lessons Learned." This event was held on March 22, 2010 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

    This award was accepted on behalf of school nurses across the state is in recognition of their efforts and contributions in response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.

    To read the Commissioner's letter, please click here. MSNO Award.pdf
    (Posted: February 21, 2010)

    Update: Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network (MASNRN) News
    To Learn More About This Network,     click here. or visit www.masnrn.org

    The Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network (MASNRN) has been awarded its first grant. It is the Research Grant from the National Association of School Nurses, which was awarded to Marie DeSisto, RN, MSN as the Principal Investigator at the NASN Awards Celebration during the Conference in Washington, DC. The research project has recruited 5 towns to participate in the project including Springfield, Braintree, Waltham, and Newton. The research proposal is currently undergoing review by the IRB Committee. The MASNRN project will involve improving care for students with Asthma.

    MASNRN Mission Statement

    MASNRN is a practice based research network comprised of a representative, collaborative group of professional school nurses, nurse academicians, and other interested parties for whom school health is a priority. Its members believe that students need and deserve high quality nursing and health care to help attain their full academic potential. This requires that school nursing embrace evidence-based practice. MASNRN conducts research and uses translational research to improve the student health outcomes and the efficacy and efficiency of School Nursing care.

    MASNRN Description

    MASNRN is a practice-based research network. It began as a collaborative effort of three distinct entities: a professional organization—the Massachusetts School Nurses Organization (MSNO), a state agency—the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s School Health Unit (MA-DPH-SHU), and a university school of nursing—the Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing (BCSON). MASNRN began in 2004 and is governed by a Board of 10 representatives appointed from each of the three consortium agencies. An Advisory Board of community members provides input regarding identifying priority research areas, expanding the nexus of primary care activities across disciplines and practice sites, and determining effective strategies for research dissemination. MASNRN members are drawn from the 1,100 nurses of the 103 ESHS districts described above. It is uniquely positioned to develop and implement a school nursing research agenda using a research network approach to investigate problems common across schools.

    School Nurses

    MASNRN is recruiting school nurses to join the MASNRN Network. School nurses who are interested in research and improving school nursing practice are welcome! We estimate that belonging to the Network will not involve more than 1-2 hours per week. Nurses do not have to be involved in every project. You have the option of participating in a study, or opting out due to commitments, interest etc. There is flexibility.

    In order to join the network you must complete a biosketch (similar to a Curriculum Vitae) and complete an online program on Human Subjects Research that was developed by the National Institute for Health. The Human Subjects Research program takes approximately 3 hours and you do not have to complete it in one sitting. Upon completion of the program you will take a quiz, and you will get a certificate of completion (you can use this for PDP’s). For information about joining the MASNRN Network please email Gail Lopez at maschoolresearch@yahoo.com.

      Free or Affordable Health Care Programs in Massachusetts
    (Courtesy of Health Care for All)

    MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid)
    In Massachusetts, Medicaid is called MassHealth. MassHealth covers more services than other state health programs and is usually the best program to choose if you or your family is eligible. MassHealth, however, has strict income and eligibility rules.

    • MassHealth Standard: Covers most health services for children, parents of children under 19, pregnant women, and low-income adults with disabilities.
    • MassHealth CommonHealth: Covers most services for adults and children with disabilities. There is no income limit but a premium and/or one time deductible may be charged.
    • MassHealth Prenatal: Covers routine prenatal office visits and tests (not childbirth) for pregnant women.
    • MassHealth Family Assistance: Covers part of your family's health insurance premiums if you can get qualified health insurance from your employer, or allows you to enroll your children in a health plan through MassHealth if you cannot get private health insurance. Has higher income limits than MassHealth Standard or MassHealth CommonHealth.
    • MassHealth Limited: Covers emergency services and childbirth for low-income residents. No social security number required. Pregnant women, children under 19, parents of children under 19 and disabled adults may be eligible.
    For more information or an application for any type of MassHealth, call 1-888-665-9993

    Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP)
    A program that provides health insurance for all residents ages 0 through 18 who are not MassHealth eligible. You can join even if you have other insurance to improve your coverage. The application for CMSP is the same as the MassHealth application. There is currently a waitlist for this program-apply as soon as possible to get on the waitlist.
    For more information or an application, call 1-800-909-2677

    Free Care and Partial Free Care
    A program that pays for all or part of care at hospitals and health centers for people who are not eligible for MassHealth.
    For more information, call your local hospital, health center or Health Care for All at 1-800-272-4232.

    CenterCare
    This program provides primary care services at community health centers to anyone who is uninsured and meets income limits.
    For more information, call the Mass League of Community Health Centers at 1-800-475-8455.

    Healthy Start
    This program provides health care to pregnant women and one pediatric exam for the newborn baby. No social security number is required.
    For more information, call 1-800-531-2229.

    Medical Security Plan
    This is a program which provides health insurance or help paying premiums to people who receive unemployment benefits.
    For more information, call 1-800-914-4455.

    Free Prescription Drug Program
    This is a national program that provides free drugs to consumers who meet income limits, through their doctors who order directly from the pharmaceutical company.
    For more information, call Health Care for All at 1-800-272-4232.


    MassMedline
    This hotline can help you determine if you are eligible for any kind of prescription drug assistance programs. Trained staff can also answer questions about any kinds of prescriptions/medications you are currently taking and whether you are using them correctly. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
    For more information, call MassMedline at 1-866-633-1617.


    Parent Resource Network Line
    This hotline provides resources and referrals to families with children who have mental health needs.
    For more information, call the PRN line at 1-800-439-2370.


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