B6.13 - Approve the Renewal of the Contract for Categorical/Basic Funding for Registered Nursing Services with the State of Florida, Department of Health (FLDOH), Hillsborough County (Climate and Culture)

Categorical funding is provided annually through the FLDOH, Hillsborough County general revenue dollars to fund registered nursing positions including, but not limited to, salaries, fringe, travel, and training.

It is required by the FLDOH, Hillsborough County for The Hillsborough County School Board, Florida to sign any negotiated contract first. 

There is a 30 percent vacancy rate among School Nurses/Registered Nurses (RNs).  Currently, there are 34 School Nurses/RNs vacancies.  There are 84,800 students with acute and chronic medical conditions, which make up 40 percent of the Hillsborough County Public Schools student population.

The National Association of School Nurses recommend the minimum ratios of nurses to students depending on the needs of the student populations as follows: 1:750 for students in the general population, 1:225 in the student populations requiring daily professional school nursing services or need interventions and 1:125 nurse when students have complex health needs.

According to Center for Disease Control, students with acute and chronic medical conditions have poor health when not properly managed by a school nurse. In turn, they will have an increase in absenteeism and drop out rates, which will negatively impact school grades.

Funding from the state will allow our district to hire School Nurses/RNs.  School Nurses will manage students' with medically complex health problems and with acute and chronic diseases while in school, which in turn, allows optimal student learning and improves school attendance.

* Demonstrate "best practices" in all aspects of safety: student, employee, visitor, facility, transportation, and health

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Improve Student Achievement

* Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship

Approve the contract renewal for categorical funding with the FLDOH.

Dr. Maria Russ, Supervisor, School Health Services, maria.russ@shdc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7020
Holly Saia, Ed.S., General Director, Student Services, holly.saia@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7136
Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

Funds in the amount of $485,806 will be available July 1, 2020, in the General Appropriation Act, Human Services Budget (FLDOH, General Revenue Dollars), for the 2020/2021 fiscal year budget.

Annual reports are submitted to the FLDOH, Hillsborough County containing data relative to student, parent, and school health staff interactions, as well as services provided by registered nurses.