B3.01 - Approve the 2020/2022 School Health Services Plan (Climate and Culture)

The 2020/2022 School Health Services Plan outlines how Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and the State of Florida, Department of Health, Hillsborough County (FLDOH) will meet federal and state requirements and mandates.

The submission of the 2020/2022 School Health Services Plan is required by Section 381.0056, F.S. which indicates each local Department of Health will development jointly, with their respective school district, a School Health Services Plan outlining the provisions and responsibilities to provide mandated health services in all public schools.  Chapter 64F-6.002, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) requires the plan to be completed bi-annually.

It is the practice of the FLDOH to be the final signature on the School Health Services Plan.

There are 32 School Nurses/Registered Nurses (RNs) vacancies. Based on emergency card information, there are 84,800 students with acute and chronic medical conditions, which make up 40 percent of the HCPS student population. Without School Nurses/RNs, more students would go home instead of returning to class.  When students are not in school, they are more likely to dropout.

According to the 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 dropout rates, which will negatively affect school grades. School Nurses return 89 percent of students seen in the school clinic back to class.

Funding from the state will allow HCPS to hire School Nurses/RNs, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and a pediatrician. School health providers will manage students with medically complex health problems and acute and chronic diseases while in school. This in turn, will allow for optimal student learning and improve school attendance, with the expectation of returning 100 percent of students seen in the clinic back to class.

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

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Improve Student Achievement

Approve the 2020/2022 School Health Services Plan.

Dr. Maria Russ, Supervisor, School Health Services, maria.russ@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7020
Holly Saia, Ed.S., General Director, Student Services, holly.saia@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7136

Annual funding of $908,574 from the FLDOH will cover the cost of APRNs, RNs, a physician, health services equipment, clinic supplies, and professional development for nurses.

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