 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
|
||||
Department of Health - School Health Coordinator
Shiela Hinton, DOH School Health Coordinator
School Health Services Program Report Greetings from Department of Health School Health Services Program Office staff The Florida Department of Health school health program’s mission is to appraise, protect, and promote the health of students. Mandated services support the academic success of Florida’s students by promoting student health, regular attendance, and optimal readiness to learn. The school health program staff would like to extend best wishes to all in attendance. We truly appreciate all the wonderful nurses and staff who are dedicated to providing quality school health services that promote the health and wellbeing of citizens and children of Florida. The Legislature reduced School Health funding by $2 million (Children’s Medical Services Donations Trust Fund) for the 2009-10 school year. Perhaps now more than ever developing partnerships are crucial to the success of the school health program. During Fiscal Year 2008-09 the school health annual report indicates that local school districts contributed $80,134,511 for the provision of school health services. Other public - private partners contributed $14,540,109 in the same year. You are greatly appreciated for your hard work in collaboration and building partnerships. As you know school health services provided to students at school help keep children healthy, in school, and ready to learn. School health provides unique opportunities and challenges to impact students in our schools in many positive ways. According to the submitted 2008-09 school health annual reports from the counties, registered nurses who work directly with the general student population served 2,620,801 K-12 students in the State of Florida. This equates to a school health RN to student ratio of 1 to 2,518. Although the total number of students has declined in recent years and 2008-09 was no exception, the total reported student health conditions have increased. One in five (or 21%) of Florida’s public Pre-K to 12th students in Florida has a reported health condition and may require health services at school. 167,605 students were reported with a diagnosis of Asthma, 66,521 with Attention Deficit Disorder, 14,765 with Seizure Disorder, and 7,968 with Diabetes. It was also reported that there were an average of 77,570 visits to school clinics and 21,906 medication doses given every day. We realize how hard you work in providing these essential services to the students of Florida. Finally, it is well known that students who have a vision or hearing deficit may be delayed in learning. Results of the data for screenings, as entered into the Department of Health’s Health Management System (HMS), is used as an indicator by the program office to measure quality of services. In the 2008-09 school year 90.46% of students received vision screening, 86.22% received hearing screening, 75.93% received scoliosis screening, and 55.55% received growth and development with body mass index (BMI) screening. The goal of school health services is to provide these screenings to all students in Florida as mandated by our State legislature. There were 96,440 students referred for follow up due to failure of the vision screening, 21,048 were referred due to hearing failure, 5,225 for scoliosis failure, and 36,666 for abnormal BMI. Approximately 50% of these failures resulted in additional evaluation or treatments. As we forge ahead in improving the percent of students receiving screenings at the appropriate grades, please know that we appreciate your efforts and your success. We all know that our children are our future. The specialized practice of school nursing gives opportunity for the advances in the well-being, academic success, and student achievement. The critical importance of the essential health services that are provided in local school health programs ensures that all students can reach their highest potential within the academic environment. The Florida Department of Health school health program is dedicated to providing support, technical assistance, and in helping local programs adhere to legislative mandates. Please contact your liaison with any questions or concerns. Again, we express our deepest and most sincere gratitude for all you do in providing school health services. Thank you. School Health Services Program/Florida Department of Health
|
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
Shiela Hinton