New Jersey
Website Disclosure Fact
All of the material provided on this website is informational for all school nurses and other healthcare professionals, and the resources are documented for the material shared.
November National Health Observances from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion):
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National Diabetes Month
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National COPD Awareness Month
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U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 18–24)
(Please click here for an overview and links to resources.
ECSNA Proudly Presents a Zoom Educational Program:
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
NJEA Presentation for the Essex County School Nurses Association : How NJEA Supports School Nurses
Presented by Luis Delgado, Njea Uniserv Representative
(Please click here to be taken to the Google Form for general information questions for Mr. Delgado, so that he can include them in his presentation.)
Zoom link is located below (PD Certificates will be awarded to paid ECSNA members):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4186343724?pwd=UjV6QzRKNm5KSGxHamlGd1hwR2M4QT09&omn=81273263628
Meeting ID: 418 634 3724
Passcode: Cjp4k2
Dial by your location
929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 418 634 3724
Passcode: 230774
The recording of our excellent and inspiring Wednesday, November 15, 2023 educational program: Key Challenges Facing Today's School Nurse: Making Certain Every Child Counts on the 2023-2024 School Year
Presented by Janice Loschiavo, MA, RN, NJ-CSN is on our recordings page, which can be accessed by clicking here.
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Our thanks to Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN - for sharing this updated document released Thursday, November 2nd: NJDOH Immunization FAQ Document - October 2023 - Please click here or on the image to access the full document.
Position Statement on Anti-choking Devices (Please click on the image below to read the document.)
Ashley Colnett, BSN, RN, CDCES, CSN has generously shared her
Diabetes Updates PowerPoint slides, which can be viewed by clicking here.
Our thanks to Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN for the following information with links to excellent resources:
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Progress in the Whole-of-Government Response to Long COVID
Please click here for the complete document.
The recording of our Wednesday, April 19, 2023 educational program:
Overview of Human Trafficking presented by Ingrid Johnson RN, MSN, a nationally recognized expert and speaker in the field of Human Trafficking can be found in the Recordings section of our website by clicking here.
The Relentless School Nurse: Are You a #FedUpSchoolNurse? Join Moms Demand Action #FedUp Campaign for School Safety
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Please see the excerpt below:
"To learn more about the #FedUp campaign and how you can get involved, visit the Moms Demand Action website at Moms Demand Action – #FedUp. Join me in becoming a #FedUpSchoolNurse and let’s demand safety for our students and communities."
Many thanks to our Co-President, Laura Sacks, RN, BA, BSN, MA, for sharing valuable information on
"Cyclic Sighing" for anxiety reduction presented during a recent Virtual Schwartz Rounds presentation. For more information, please click here.
The recording of our Wednesday, March 22, 2023 educational program on Cardiac Emergencies Presented by James C. Schatzle, BS, Paramedic can now be found on our "Recordings" page.
James Schatzle's contact information:
Team Life, Inc.
291 Route 34
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
732-946-4243
From Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN posted on the March 7th NASN All Member Forum:
CALL TO ACTION - Medicaid Unwinding as Public Health Emergency Ends April 1, 2023! PLEASE READ
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The Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwinding that was announced in fall 2022.
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The date for changes to Medicaid are going to take place starting in just a few weeks.
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States have been submitting their plans to CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and it is anticipated that more than 66% of Americans are not aware that they will lose Medicaid benefits.
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First Month Unwinding-Related Renewals are Initiated: April
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Effective Date of First Anticipated Terminations for Procedural Reasons*: June
(* This is generally the first month that members who have not had their eligibility successfully renewed in the past 12 months may be disenrolled for procedural reasons, such as non-response to a renewal form, per CMS guidelines. Terminations for individuals the state has redetermined as ineligible for Medicaid and CHIP may occur on or after April 1, 2023.)
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Sheila Caldwell provided some resources below, but us as school nurses and schools in general need to speak with parents and families about the importance of updating their contact information with the Medicaid program in the state ASAP! Then, be sure to watch their mail for any documents that will be sent in the coming months. They could receive mail as soon as April 1st and if they do not complete the documents or online information, they will be disenrolled!!
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We already know the challenges for children and families when there is no insurance available to address their health needs.
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As nurses we can plan major initiatives in our schools and communities to provide awareness about this ASAP!
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Sheila Caldwell has provided some links and resources for you to get an initiative going. Contact your state Medicaid office for any specific state information that you can share. On social media (mainly twitter), if you search "Medicaid unwinding" you will find states hosting listening sessions, sharing flyers, and other information.
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The key to all this is that there are people who need the information in the spaces where it is being conveyed and are they (meaning Medicaid/state officials) thinking of other places and spaces where people with Medicaid might best get the information (eg., table set up in laundromats, supermarkets, churches, schools, etc), where organizations and people as us, nurses can get the information to the people that need it most.
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The online efforts are nice, but some of these families may have limited online access.
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You can contact Sheila Caldwell on the NASN All Member Forum about your efforts to have the families in your communities not fall in the gap and have to totally re-enroll. Please be sure to share your ideas, school newsletter or any news articles of your efforts to address this major issue that will be starting in only weeks!
RESOURCES:
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Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign 2022 Back-to-School Toolkit (insurekidsnow.gov) - (see one of the info-images below from this toolkit)
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Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19 | Medicaid
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10 Things to Know About the Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Provision | KFF
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Unwinding Toolkit for Schools from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
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Unwinding Resources – Center For Children and Families (georgetown.edu)
The recording of the School Nursing: Putting the Pieces Together presented on February 15th by our NJDOE State School Nurse Consultant, Lorraine Borek, MSN, M.Ed., RN, CSN-NJ is now on the recordings page.
Lorraine Borek's Contact information:
New Jersey Department of Education: nj.gov/education
Lorraine Borek
great news!
cover all kids took effect January 1st
our thanks to our co-president, Laura sacks, RN, BA, BSN, CSN, MA for sharing this excellent news about making health care available to all children in new jersey!
To find out more about Cover All Kids, please visit this website, https://nj.gov/coverallkids/. There are a number of resources, including FAQs, printable flyers (click here for the English flyer & click here for the Spanish flyer), and shareable social media graphics, to help your agency and your contacts to learn more about the program. The goal is to ensure residents in every part of New Jersey are familiar with Cover All Kids and the essential benefits it provides for their children. Together, we can help safeguard our kids with the health services they deserve.
The recording of our Wednesday, January 18, 2023 educational program on
Review of Cannabis Legislation in Relation to the School Setting
Presented by Joel Torres, MA, MCHES, ADAPT Senior Manager Family Connections & John Worthington, Esq., Education Law Specialist, NJPSA/FEA/LEGAL ONE
can be found on our recordings page, (found in the dropdown under the events page).
Great news: Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN posted on the January 13th to 15th NASN All Member Forum that there is a recording of the School Nurse Forum on Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Please see the message from the SADS Foundation below:
Thank you to everyone who attended our School Nurse Forum on Sudden Cardiac Arrest last night! We had over 2,500 school nurses register.
If you were unable to attend, or would like to watch this webinar again, you can view it here:
If you have other school nurses in your region who would like to learn more about our resources and receive this forum recording, they can register here.
Here are the links mentioned during the presentation:
SADS Foundation
Project ADAM
We also wanted to let you know about some of our other resources for school nurses, including:
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Our free school nurse packets, which you can receive digitally or in-person (please note that it currently takes 1-2 weeks to receive the in-person packet after ordering)
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Our school nurse webinar from 2022 with more about each SADS condition
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Upcoming small School Nurse Forums with SADS & your local Project ADAM affiliate where you can talk with your peers and ask more questions about SCA (stay tuned for details soon!).
You can help us improve our resources for school nurses by taking this brief, 5-minute survey. Your response is confidential and helps us tailor our resources to best serve school nurses.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Understanding, Screening, and Supporting Individuals in the School Setting
This on-demand program is an opportunity for school nurses, pediatric nurses, and other school-based professionals to develop an understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
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Understand the physiology of FASD development during pregnancy
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Explain the importance of the screening and identifying children who have FASD Implement skills and knowledge to support children and families affected by FASD in their education
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Support school staff in creating the most beneficial learning environment for children affected by FASD and utilize resources available in New Jersey.
Target Audience: School Nurses, Pediatric Nurses, School-Based Professionals Learning Outcome: At the conclusion of the program, the participants will self-report knowledge gained related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, screening, and resources to support families.
Continuing Nursing Education Contact Hours: This program has been awarded 1.0 contact hours. The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. P194-2/2023 Approval status does not imply endorsement by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, NJSNA or by ANCC of any commercial products discussed/displayed in conjunction with the educational activity. Questions? Visit our website or contact Kelly Dietrich at kdietrich@pmch.org
Successful Completion: To receive contact hours for participating in the recorded continuing education program, the registrant must log in to the recorded webinar, view the entire presentation, and complete and submit an evaluation. A certificate of completion will be distributed within one month of submission of the evaluation. Disclosure/Commercial Support: The planners and speaker do not have any conflicts of interest to report for this activity. There is no commercial support for this activity. Cost: This program is free, but registration is required. Registration:
Click here to register.
From Harvard Health Publishing - Harvard Medical School regarding edible marijuana ingestion in children:
CHILD & TEEN HEALTH
Edibles and children: Poison center calls rise (please click on the title to read the article)
From Rick Hager, Community Outreach Coordinator, Office of Communications, Legislative and Public Affairs
New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), Cell: (609) 947-7505, Email: Richard.Hager@dcf.nj.gov
Family Success Centers are “one-stop” shops that provide resources and supports for families before they find themselves in crisis. They offer primary child abuse prevention services to families and bring together concerned community residents, leaders, and community agencies to address the problems that threaten the safety and stability of families and the community.
Family Success Centers offer a warm and welcoming home-like environment that provides family friendly activities and resources within communities to strengthen families. There is no cost to access the services they provide.
Program Services include:
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Access to information on child, maternal and family health services, economic self-sufficiency and job readiness
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Information and referral services (connection to off-site public social services and private resources)
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Life skills training
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Housing services
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Parent education
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Parent-child activities
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Advocacy
There are 57 Family Success Centers in New Jersey. To locate a program near you, please visit: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/families/support/success/ and share broadly with your community.
12/21/22 Overview of the NJ Emotional Well-being Institute (NJ-NEW) program follow-up information:
Presented by Jennifer Polakowski, MPA, Assistant Director NJ-Nursing Emotional Well-being Institute (NJ-NEW) has generously agreed to share her presentation slides which you can access by clicking here. Please see the excerpt below:
Current interventions/ programs include:
Virtual Schwartz Rounds (VSR)
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Stress First Aid (SFA)
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Nurse2Nurse Helpline (N2N)
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Pilot- Peer to Peer App (Dugri)
Future interventions/ programs include:
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Well-being Hub (WBH)
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Repository of resources
Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030 / Nursing Bill
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Recommendation 3.7, 3.9 & 3.10
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S2528/A4325
The Relentless School Nurse: Nursing, Let’s Join the Call for a U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Gun Violence?
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Please see the excerpt below:
"Dr. Peter Masiakos included the voice of school nursing in a compendium published in Current Trauma Reports in early 2020, just as the pandemic began. Here is a link to an article that I co-authored with dear colleagues: School Nurses Share Their Voices, Trauma, and Solutions by Sounding the Alarm on Gun Violence Robin Cogan, Donna M. Nickitas, Donna Mazyck & Sunny G. Hallowell.
Here is the full collection, as Dr. Masiakos said, it was intended to serve as an early blueprint for a U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Gun Violence: Topical Collection on Gun Violence"
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN downloaded from the NASN All Member Forum 12/9 to 12/11
Did you know that your school may be improperly disposing of vape products and paraphernalia? Read about it!
As more and more schools are confiscating vape products, they need to be sure that they are disposing of them appropriately.
Here are two resources that you should read and share with your school districts. In addition, as we consider environmental justice, this is truly something that our schools should be looking at. See below and click the images.
By the way, the EPA has a new office of environmental justice. You can contact your regional office of EJ if you have any questions. Here is the link - click here
(Please click on the above images for a larger version)
Great News from NJSSNA:
"The New Jersey State School Nurses Association (NJSSNA) is very happy and proud to announce that after several years of advocacy to install a state school nursing consultant at the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE),
former president of the NJSSNA & ecsna,
lorraine Borek, MSN, M.Ed., RN, CSN-NJ,
has joined the NJDOE as the
State School Nurse Consultant.
For the entire NJSSNA announcement please click here."
From the NJDOH DSH Team:
"With holiday gatherings right around the corner, we thought we would provide a few resources to help prevent the spread of Influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and other common communicable diseases this holiday season:
· Clean Hands and Spaces: Web-Based Training | CDC (An excellent overview of mitigation strategies for school and childcare centers! Earn 2 CEUs at no cost!)
· Prevent the Spread of Colds & Flu
· What's the Difference Between Cleaners, Sanitizers, and Disinfectants (nj.gov)
It’s also important to review the NJDOH School Exclusion List to determine when students and staff can safely return to school following an illness. NJDOH also has this helpful flyer, “When Should Children Stay Home from School” (see attached) which you may want to share with your parent body, as a good reminder.
Additionally, our partners at the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program have an exciting initiative for students in grades 5-12: Create, Educate, Vaccinate! Protect Me With 3+ is an annual poster and video contest and a collaboration between The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health.
This exciting contest that promotes immunizations is open to middle and high school students across New Jersey. The top three posters and videos will win awesome prizes and will be showcased at statewide immunization awareness events. Learn more here.
Lastly, you can always visit the New Jersey Department of Health School Health and DSH Team webpages for more information. There you will find additional educational and training materials, outbreak guidance, forms and a variety of resources on how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in both the school and childcare setting."
Please click on the images below for the full documents:
Our thanks to Kathy McCutcheon, MSN, RN, NCSN, the Secretary of the NJSSNA Executive Board, for this Respiratory Illness YouTube
from the NJDOH posted on the NJSSNA discussion list
Please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yTtcBbNCA
The Taking Diabetes to School Presentation from 11/16/22
by Ashley Colnett, BSN, RN, CDCES, CSN
Education Coordinator
Camp Nejeda Foundation Incorporated
has been downloaded to the Recordings page of the website. Please login as a website member to view the presentation, as this is a website members only page.
For the excellent diabetes resources page, please click here or go to our Resources tab.
From the NJDOH DSH Team:
Here are a few additional things to remember when faced with increased illness in your school or childcare:
1. Monitor for outbreaks
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Daycares and Schools are seeing an increase in respiratory viruses (including RSV & Influenza). Please review the attached flyer (It’s Not Just COVID) for a summary of situations which may indicate that an outbreak is occurring.
2. Be prepared in case an outbreak occurs
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Refer to the General Outbreak Guidelines & Outbreak Checklist for recommendations.
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This short video, reviews basic information about prevention and mitigation of diseases in schools and childcares. It also details what to do if you think an outbreak may be occurring.
3. Contact your Local Health Department
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As soon as you notice an increase in the number of absences related to illness, you should reach out to your local health department. Remember outbreaks of diseases are reportable even if an individual case of the disease is not reportable.
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Find your Local Health Department by using this directory.
4. Reinforce cleaning practices
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Please review the attached flyer (How to Clean and Disinfect Schools to Help Slow the Spread of Flu) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reviews best cleaning and disinfection practices for schools and childcare centers.
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Establish and maintain consistent handwashing.
5. Increase communication to families
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Your local health department can help provide communication and education geared towards families.
6. Stay home when sick
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Review the New Jersey Department of Health Child Care & School Exclusion List for return to school recommendations.
Lastly, you can always visit the New Jersey Department of Health School Health and DSH Team webpages for more information. There you will find additional educational and training materials, outbreak guidance, forms and a variety of resources on how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in both the school and childcare setting.
(Please click on the images above to view the documents)
NEW Family Connections ADAPT Coalition and Essex County Mobile Clinic Collaboration
FROM:
Umayma Abdul-Qadir, a Prevention Hub Specialist at Family Connections’ ADAPT Coalition, who is announcing a new collaboration with the Essex County Mobile Clinic.
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An ADAPT staff member will be at the locations from 3:00PM-5:00PM, giving out bus cards and/or gas cards to those who receive a COVID vaccination or booster.
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All are welcome and please feel free to share this with your organizations.
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The locations and days are listed below.
Tuesday: Essex County Hall of Records, 465Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark, NJ
Wednesday: Orange City Hall, 29NorthDay Street, Orange, NJ
Thursday: Irvington Town Hall, 1 Civic Square, Irvington, NJ
Friday: East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ
Please see the contact information below for any questions:
Umayma Abdul-Qadir
Prevention Hub Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
7 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, East Orange, NJ 07017
Familyconnections.org/adapt
Mobile: 862-338-5412
#WhereHopeMeetsPossibility
The Relentless School Nurse: A Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being from the U.S. Surgeon General
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Please see the excerpts from the blog below:
"On the heels of the recent release of NASN's survey about the mental health of school nurses during COVID, comes an important publication from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, The Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being."
I plan on sharing this important publication with my school district and I hope you do as well. The Framework provides a guide to “5 essentials for workplace well-being centered on worker voice and equity.” This is an “if only” moment, if only our schools would embrace these 5 essentials, imagine the impact on student and staff well-being. I have a sense of hopefulness after taking a deep look at Dr. Murthy’s Framework, it just makes sense! My mind goes straight to school nurses and how we would thrive “if only” we worked in systems that embraced this plan."
From NASN:
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!
Whether you are seasoned school nurse or in your first year on the job, NASN’s back-to-school toolkit highlights the resources you need to promote the well-being of students and help them develop lifelong habits that support optimal health and wellness.
The tools in the toolkit will help you, working closely with school staff, students, and administration, to develop a healthy environment where students can thrive. We know it has been a difficult several years for school nurses. We offer these resources, and our support as an organization, to help you and your students be healthy, safe and ready to learn, in the coming year.
Downloaded from the NASN All Member Forum from 10/2/22:
NEW: Head Lice information from the AAP
Posted by Valerie Hon, MSN, RN, NCSN
Please click here to read the article
The NJDOH DSH Team has generously shared their slide deck (please click here for the link) with active hyperlinks to additional resources from their September 22, 2022 presentation covering updates to COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for K-12 Schools, Childcare and Youth Camps.
Also, here is a link to a new 1-minute animation titled, "Lets Have a Safe School Year" with recommendations for a safe school year that you can send to your school and childcare communities: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schools.shtml
For both the recording and PowerPoint slides of our September 21st
A Startup Checklist for the School Health Office educational program
Presented by Dr. Laura Jannone, R.N., EdD, FNASN, CSN-NJ,
New York Academy of Medicine Fellow,
Standards & Practice Chair, NJSSNA
&
Giuseppina Pagnotta, MSN, RN, NCSN
Monmouth County School Nurses Association President
please sign into the website and click here.
If you would like to only download the PowerPoint slides without viewing the recording, please click here.
Welcome back letter from our Co-Presidents: Laura Sacks & Dr. Denise Makri Werzen,
It continues to be a very challenging time for school nurses. The Essex County School Nurses Association (ECSNA) is here to support and guide you throughout the school year. As described in our Vision Statement, we will provide leadership and guidance for school nurses. We plan to have monthly meetings, as well as share our website which is a great resource for the latest information, resources, and events.
The mission of the ECSNA is to uphold the practice of the American Association and the National Association of School Nurses. The association is also guided by the Statutes and Regulations of the New Jersey Board of Nursing and the New Jersey State Department of Education.
We appreciated the responses to our ECSNA 2022/2023 Planning Survey. There was overwhelming support for virtual meetings. Thus, our meetings will continue to be virtual. There were great suggestions for topics for meetings. We learned half the respondents have their district’s documentation system interfaced with NJIIS so immunization records can be downloaded. And, there were excellent suggestions about what nurses think should be revised in their districts. We hope to offer support for leadership roles so some of these can be implemented.
We have a very hard-working Executive Board this year. The members are Dr. Denise Makri Werzen - Co-President; Laura Sacks - Co-President, Lila Kurzum - Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; Lisa Farrar - Membership Coordinator; Nancy Weinstein - Scholarship Coordinator. Dr. Cynthia Samuel has also been giving us guidance as we plan the year. Carolyn Ruderman continues to maintain our website. Some of the meetings planned include: opening our health offices; the latest updates about diabetes; and self-care. Other meetings, including topics suggested in the survey, are being considered.
The final question in the survey was to provide comments and/or questions. Some answers included: “We must be the voice of NJ’s School 21st Century Nursing and remain on the cutting edge of technology.” “Our collaboration as colleagues is sorely needed and encouraged.” It would be nice to get more members from other schools in Essex County in ECSNA for more opinions and share what is working/not working in their districts.”
Please encourage your colleagues to pay their membership dues and attend the meetings. And, ask your friends in other districts to join, as well. We hope to see you (virtually) at our upcoming meetings. Stay healthy, and have a very meaningful, successful year.
There's a recording of the DSH team's most recent webinar on the webpage:
Prevention and Mitigation of Common Infectious Diseases in Childcare Centers and Schools.
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This webinar was presented on 8.16.22 and discussed the recent changes to NJDOH’s school exclusion list and some of the most common childhood illnesses that are typically seen by childcare centers and schools in New Jersey.
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Please make sure to submit any topical questions that you would like to see addressed in the proper space when you register for the webinar.
Downloaded from the NJSSNA Discussion List, posted by Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN ~9/15/22 & 9/19/22
NEW: 22-23 School Year - NJDOH/NJDOE Information
The Relentless School Nurse: Our Last Layer of Protection – Boosters
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Please see the excerpt below:
"The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a national campaign to promote vaccine confidence. There are specific toolkits available for many communities, but one specifically for schools! The resources are free to download and available in multiple languages. Let’s do this!
This toolkit has resources for school district leaders, teachers, parent leaders, and school supporters that want to help increase confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in their school communities, answer questions, and outline school guidance about COVID-19. It includes information from CDC and new, tailored materials from the HHS COVID-19 Public Education Campaign."
The Relentless School Nurse: A Return to School Toolkit Centered on The #UrgencyOfEquity
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Please see the excerpt below:
"The contents of this blog post were retrieved from The Urgency of Equity
The #UrgencyofEquity Toolkit was developed by a coalition of public health experts and grassroots organizations to help educators, parents, and communities advocate for safer, equitable schools, and separate fact from fiction about COVID-19 protections.
FAQ:
Who is this toolkit for?
The toolkit was designed with educators, administrators, parents, students, and community members in mind. It was developed by public health experts and informed by the latest research and guidance from leading health organizations. It contains practical, up-to-date information; research summaries; and graphs and visuals to aid in making decisions that result in a healthy and safe school environment for everyone.
What is #UrgencyOfEquity?
More than two years into the pandemic, we have the knowledge and means to effectively reduce viral transmission and to keep our communities as safe as possible. Yet we’ve fallen far short.
We cannot accept a “normal” that includes continued, inequitable COVID-19 illness, disability, and death. Instead, we can and must keep schools and communities safe while establishing an ethical “normal”: one that values the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
The Urgency of Equity toolkit provides accurate, up-to-date, substantiated information to help schools and communities make decisions that will keep ALL members of school communities safer. It recognizes that collective, not individual, approaches are necessary to protect our communities."
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN downloaded from the New Jersey School Nurses Association Digest for Saturday September 3, 2022
22-23 School Year - NJDOH/NJDOE Information
Just released (9/2). Click on the image below to read all 15 pages
Page 1 of 15
The Relentless School Nurse: Thank you Good Morning America for Featuring School Nurses!
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read Robin Cogan's full blog)
Robin Cogan contributed to the Good Morning America article: School nurses share 5 tips to keep kids healthy at school by Katie Kindelan & Will Linendoll. Robin also participated in the accompanying video along with Holly, Sandy Braymer, and Gail M. Smith. Please click on the image below to be directed to the excellent video:
(Please click on the image above for additional information)
Governor Murphy Unveils Statewide School Security Initiative
(Please click on the title above to read the entire document and see the excerpt below)
08/30/2022
$6.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds Will Further Strengthen Efforts to Protect Students and Teachers
"PARAMUS – Governor Phil Murphy visited East Brook Middle School today to announce a $6.5 million investment in American Rescue Plan funds toward a statewide school security initiative to collect and digitize school building blueprints and make them available to first responders. Accurate and uniform maps are critical to enable law enforcement personnel to swiftly respond to emergencies in unfamiliar environments.
Currently, New Jersey first responders have access to Collaborative Response Graphics (CRG) for approximately 1,500 of the state’s 3,000 public and private schools. The initiative unveiled by Governor Murphy today will help the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) map the remaining 1,500 schools in an effort to further safeguard New Jersey students and educators. "
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Requiring NJ Public Schools to Develop Threat Assessment Teams
(Please click on the title above to read the entire document)
08/1/2022
This law will take effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Relentless School Nurse: A Parent’s Back to School Question for 2022-2023
August 27, 2022
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
(Please click on the title above to read the entire blog and see the excerpt below):
"I was tagged in this Tweet and when I read the content, my heart rate soared and my mind raced. A school nurse was asked by a parent at her elementary school’s open house if she was trained to respond to COVID, Monkeypox, and an active shooter. I sent the nurse a message to see if she would share her response. In the meantime, I am posting this valid question from the parent. Are we trained, are we ready, and what do we need?"
The question that troubles me most is if we are ready for an active shooter. I do not believe that we have systems in place to stop the shooters before they shoot. Many of the school shooters have connections to the schools they target. Everytown for Gun Safety just released a comprehensive document that includes actionable solutions. I encourage everyone to digest this important information and share it with your school districts.
How To Stop Shootings and Gun Violence in Schools A Plan to Keep Students Safe:
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Enact and Enforce Secure Firearm Storage Laws
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Pass Extreme Risk Laws
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Raise the Age to Purchase Semi-automatic Firearms
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Require Background Checks on All Gun Sales
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Foster a Safe and Trusting School Climate
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Build a Culture of Secure Gun Storage
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Create Evidence-Based Crisis Assessment/Prevention Programs in Schools
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Implement Expert-Endorsed School Security Upgrades: Entry Control and Locks
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Initiate Trauma-Informed Emergency Planning
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Avoid Practices That Cause Harm and Traumatize Students
Let’s talk about solutions and share resources. Based on the recommendations from Everytown,
there are specific actions that schools can take to address the following:
5. Foster a Safe and Trusting School Climate
7. Create Evidence-Based Crisis Assessment/Prevention Programs in Schools
9. Initiate Trauma-Informed Emergency Planning
10. Avoid Practices That Cause Harm and Traumatize Students
One of the programs that I am determined to bring to my school district is called:
HELPme – a healing-centered approach to school safety!
Learn more about how HELPme works and download the guide through this link:
Connect, Help & Prevent – A Guide for K-12 Mental Health and Wellness Support for Students, Staff, and Families"
Please click on the image above to view the training
FYI - Addressing Equity for Black Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHCN) PediaLink "on-demand" Course
From Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN via the NASN All Member Forum Digest 8/13/22
This is an important "on demand" online course that every school nurse and, actually, healthcare practitioner should take. If you do not have a PEDIALINK account, open one. There are a number of free offers that can be taken without AAP membership, but this one is a must...
available: 8/04/2022 - 8/03/2025
Addressing Equity for Black CYSHCN
Shop AAP Link: https://shop.aap.org/addressing-health-equity-for-black-cyshcn-enduring/
The National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home (NRC-PFCMH) is offering a FREE PediaLink course that examines factors impacting equitable health care for Black children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). This 2-hour course covers the following topics:
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
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Historical Trauma of Racism and Ableism in Pediatric Medicine
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Increasing Equitable Care for Black CYSHCN Through Medical Home
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Intentionally Engage Black Fathers in their Children's Care
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Systems of Care for Black CYSHCN
National Pediatric Disaster Coalition (NPDC) - A Must View" Children and Disaster Symposium recordings and slide sets now available!
Children and Disasters Research
2022 The Action Collaborative on Disaster Research: Symposium on Pediatric Disaster Science (NASEM) virtual workshop: videos and reports https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/08-01-2022/the-action-collaborative-on-disaster-research-symposium-on-pediatric-disaster-science
All 11 sessions from the symposium are also posted on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/3m5947t6
These session are must view for all of you who are trying to promote pediatric disaster capability in your community. Strongly encourage you to take the time to view.
Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on:
New COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility for Children Ages 5 and Younger
JUNE 18, 2022
Contact: Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued the following statement regarding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for children ages 5 and younger:
“Today, parents and families of about 20 million children in America under age five received news that their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. This is a historic milestone in our nation’s recovery from the pandemic, and it will provide so many parents and families who have been waiting for this moment with more peace of mind about keeping their children safe and healthy. The Biden-Harris administration will take a whole-of-government approach to ensuring that every parent and caregiver who wants to secure a vaccine for their child is able to do so through pediatricians, primary care doctors, and other trusted healthcare providers, including community health centers and pharmacies. These vaccines are safe and will help save lives.”
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many thanks to Laura sacks for arranging a fabulous dinner for us
THE RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE BLOG by the Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN (Please click on the title to read the entire blog)
The Relentless School Nurse: Channeling Grief Into Action
Excerpt:
As a school nurse and family member of both survivors and victims of two mass shootings, Robin Cogan considers herself honored to join this action this Friday, June 10th. She will be among the formal speakers, please join her and support this effort to demand that Senate TAKES ACTION to prevent gun violence. Our children's lives depend on it!
From: Kathryn Bates, MSN, RN, NCSN-NJ & Sheila Caldwell, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, FNASN downloaded from the New Jersey State School Nurses Association Digest for Friday May 27, 2022 to Monday May 30, 2022:
Resources which contain information districts can use to set up Opioid Training for staff:
ECSNA joins NASN and NJSSNA in sending our heartfelt sympathy to the families and community of the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
NASN has issued a statement including actions to address gun violence, which you can read by clicking here, and provided the following list of resources:
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Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting - This document from the NCTSN lists reactions people may have to a shooting and related experiences (such as loss of loved ones and disruption of routines). It describes grief reactions, depression, and physical reactions, and it highlights ways to cope effectively with reactions to a shooting.
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Survivors and Witnesses After Traumatic Events - A product of Voices Center for Resilience, a nonprofit formed after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this tip sheet for the public provides basic information about common effects of exposure to acts of violence, civil unrest, or terrorism. It identifies steps disaster-affected individuals can take in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, common reactions to disasters, and tips for coping and asking for help.
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Psychological First Aid: Teachers and Educators - Designed for personnel at schools that have experienced an incident of violence or a natural disaster, this tip sheet describes how teachers and educators may experience disasters and how PFA can help. PFA is an evidence-informed, modular approach that can be used to assist disaster survivors. The tip sheet offers ideas for teachers to take care of themselves and support others in the school community in coping and healing after disasters.
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Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting - In this 3-page tip sheet released shortly after a shooting, the NCTSN describes how such an event may affect children and teens as well as parents and other caregivers. The tip sheet lists reactions common among people of all ages, offers coping tips for caregivers, and suggests ways for caregivers to support children and youth in talking about and managing their reactions.
This resource is available in Spanish.
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Talking to Children about the Shooting - In this tip sheet, the NCTSN provides suggestions to parents and other caregivers for talking with their children in ways that help them to make sense of and cope with their reactions to a shooting. The tip sheet also identifies reactions common in children and teens to shooting incidents.
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Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers - This SAMHSA tip sheet can help parents, other caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by a disaster. The tip sheet describes reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children cope with these reactions.
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Resource from Sheila Caldwell, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, FNASN:
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement - https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org
LINKS TO IMPORTANT WEBSITES
NJSSNA- https://www.njssna.org/home
NASN- https://www.nasn.org/home
CDC- https://www.cdc.gov/
NJDOE- https://www.nj.gov/education/
NJDOH CDS EDUCATION & TRAINING - https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/edu_training/
THE RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE BLOG by the Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN (Please click on the title to read the entire blog)
The Relentless School Nurse: Sign Up Today for the 2022-2023 School Year FLUency Program
Excerpt from this blog:
"Kinsa’s school health program, FLUency, reduces the spread of contagious illnesses in schools. The program is completely free for public elementary schools. Last year Kinsa supported thousands of schools, make yours next!
By participating, all families and staff in your school get a free award-winning Kinsa smart thermometer. School nurses also get a dashboard of aggregated, anonymous illness trends by grade, so you know what illnesses are going around."
https://vimeo.com/265468593
The recording of the tick-borne illnesses educational program, powerpoint presentation and pd certificate for watching the program can be found on the recordings dropdown under the events tab.
In order to watch the program, please login to the website since the "Recordings" page is a members' only page.
Dr. Denise Makri Werzen, PhD, RN/MT(ASCP) CSN/HT shared a request from Jaclyn Headlam, MA, NCC, LAC, SAC, (who presented the excellent "Trends And Concerns Facing Teens Today-Stop the Stigma Let’s Talk About Holistic Teen Health" program for us last June) to complete the Essex County Substance Use Comprehensive Plan Survey to complete and share it with everyone in your network who lives or works in Essex County.
About the Essex County Comprehensive Plan
The Essex County Division of Community Health Services, under the auspices of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation, are developing a comprehensive plan to assist with the allocation of funding for evidence-based substance use/co-occurring disorders prevention and early intervention programs, enhanced access to treatment programs, and opportunities for recovery support services. This survey is an effort to engage residents in the planning process and get your input on the needs of local communities throughout Essex County. Division staff members will use your input to develop the 2024-2027 Essex County Comprehensive Plan for the Organization and Delivery of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SURVEY: https://forms.office.com/r/CfqcFsWfxd
It's very important that they get as many individuals to complete this survey in order to get the most input to help with developing the County Comprehensive Plan on substance use services.
Recommendations for Adenovirus Testing and Reporting of Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology (Please click on the title to read the article)
Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
Thursday, April 21, 2022, 11:00 AM ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection.
New: "Recordings" page for recorded educational programs.
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This new page will be a "members only" page which can be viewed by hovering over the Events tab on the desktop site, where you will see the "Recordings" tab in the drop-down.
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Members only pages can be viewed by signing into the website.
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The recording of Dr. Matthew McCarthy's "Comprehensive Approach to Concussion Diagnosis and Management" educational program will be found on the "Recordings" page.
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After listening to the recording, you can print out the Certificate for 1 PD credit.
We join NJSSNA in congratulating
NJSSNA Executive Board Member & ECSNA Member,
Dr. Cynthia Samuel PhD, RN
&
Newly inducted NASN Fellow &
NEA SISP Fellow,
for being honored at
The 14th Annual Diva and Don Gala
by the Institute for Nursing
The Foundation of the New Jersey State Nurses Association
Honors men and women in nursing leadership across New Jersey who set high standards of excellence and make a notable difference in the lives of so many.
Divas Dr. Cynthia Samuel PhD. RN (left) & Sheila Caldwell RN, BSN, CSN-NJ enjoying the gala.
more Excellent News !!!
Dr. Beth Jameson PhD, RN, CNL, CSN-NJ (ECSNA member)
Sheila Caldwell RN, BSN, CSN-NJ
&
Robin Cogan MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN
are being inducted as
Fellows into the National Academy of School Nursing (FNASN)
ECSNA congratulates the inductees and thanks them for their many contributions to school nursing practice.
The NJSSNA Conference on Saturday, March 19th was truly amazing in every sense of the word.
Below we have listed two of the recorded programs from the conference which you can access by clicking here.
Presented by: Veronica Manlove MSL RN CEN presents Legal Aspects in School Nursing Practice for the New Jersey State School Nurse Association (NJSSNA) conference held on March 19, 2022. She discusses documentation and liability issues as well as some case studies.
Veronica Manlove MSL RN CEN is a certified emergency department nurse and expert witness with 27 years of inner-city emergency department clinical experience. She has been a certified school nurse since 1999. She received a Master of Science in Law from Champlain College in 2010 which she uses in combination with her clinical background as a legal nurse consultant, working with both plaintiff and defense attorneys on their medical malpractice lawsuits concerning school nursing and ER nursing. She is a frequent lecturer for hospital nurses concerning the pitfalls and issues concerning nursing documentation. Many important questions were answered by Veronica Manlove.
Contact hours: 1 Cost $20 Length: 1 hour
Presented by Dr. Rose Hughes is also on the NEUSHA website along with many other excellent programs.
Contact hours: 1 Cost $20 Length: 1 hour
Below are two important updates from the NJSSNA & NASN discussion lists:
New Jersey State School Nurses Association Digest for Friday March 18, 2022 to Monday March 21, 2022:
Kathryn E. Bates, MSN, RN, NCSN posted the following response to a question posed on the NJSSNA Digest regarding the delegation of Nayzilam
Please see the NJDOE Broadcast Memo dated March 3, 2021: https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2021/mar/PaulsLawRequirementsToSupportStudentsWithSeizureDisorders.pdf
This is informative for training staff. We currently use the TRUST program. We keep track of who viewed the program and it is performed annually with all of the other annual trainings.
As far as delegation, seizure medication cannot be delegated to laypeople. Only a nurse can administer. I have a student that has Diastat and when she attends a field trip, we request a substitute nurse. Contact your supervisor and let them know that only a nurse can administer the medication and it cannot be delegated. A nurse has to be available to administer the medication within the timeframe that the provider wrote (5 minutes-15 minutes).
NASN All Member Forum Digest for Friday March 18, 2022 to Monday March 21, 2022:
From Sheila Caldwell RN, BSN, CSN-NJ:
"A hard-to-read, but incredibly important read in APnews today. Because of COVID, kids are losing parents, social lives, and entire years. Yes, kids are resilient, but they can't go on like this. No one is this resilient."
-For kids with COVID-19, everyday life can be a struggle | AP News
Feel free to share your thoughts and what is taking place in communities as yours to support these families. What are you and/or your schools doing?"
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
TO OUR ECSNA PROGRAM COORDINATOR
DENISE MAKRI WERZEN PhD, RN/MT(ASCP), CSN/HT on completing her doctoral degree.
We are so fortunate to have Dr. Werzen on our executive board and as a leader of our organization. If you would like to post your congratulations, please click here.
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from the New Jersey State School Nurses Association Digest for Tuesday, March 8, 2022:
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from the NASN All Member Forum Digest, ~Friday, February 25th:
CDC COVID-19 Updated Guidance
The CDC just released new guidance messages including some for schools. To listen to the recorded 39-minute media brief from 2/25 please click here.
There is also a written transcript available (you can also read our summary of the guidance by clicking here.
Sheila mentioned that she would encourage you to listen if you have time.Visit the CDC "What's New" webpage to read all the additional guidance posted February 28th and prior days - click here.
Our Educational Program from Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 4:00pm to 5:30pm
on New Therapeutic Options to Manage Difficult to Control Asthma (Recording from the Asthma & Allergy Network) unfortunately did not go as planned. To view the recorded Asthma & Allergy Network program, you can use this link: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/webinars-updates/new-options-to-manage-difficult-asthma/ which brings you directly to their website.
Our thanks to Sylvia Eppinger, MSN-Ed, RN, NJ-CSN, for posting the link in response to an inquiry from one of our members. If you have any questions about getting a certificate for viewing the recording, please click here, and you will receive a prompt reply with instructions.
THE RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE BLOG by the Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN (Please click on the title to read the entire blog)
The Relentless School Nurse: A Moral Dilemma in School Nursing
This blog explores the moral dilemma of a school nurse confronted with a request to put together a PowerPoint on the "science" behind why some people can wear masks when some don't; while knowing that the decision is not based on science, but just giving up.
This blog is a great resource for approaching moral dilemmas such as this.
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from the NASN All Member Forum Digest ~ Tuesday, February 15th
Resources for Long Covid (PASC - Post-Acute Sequelae SARS CoV-2 infection)
Sheila Caldwell's response to an inquiry about screening for "Long Covid":
"I would encourage you to reach out to a Post COVID Care Center (PCCC) , they are likely to have developed guidance and tools for schools for post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in children. I mention PASC as clinically we are going to be more likely to see this language for "Long COVID".
Details, including a map to visit the website of PCCCs will be on our Covid Updates page which you can access by clicking here.
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from the New Jersey State School Nurses Association Digest for Feb 11, 2022 - Feb 13, 2022
NJDOE Human Trafficking Guidelines are published! Click here to read it.
"The only concern I have related to school nurses is in the "Sample Policy", that notes school nurses to have staff emergency information. There is an option mentioned in regulation, not a MUST. It speaks to voluntary medical information option (that might include contacts).
General emergency information is a function of HR and/or administration.
You can read the full press release "Announcement" by clicking the image below and further down is link to listen to the 30-minute podcast. I would encourage you to listen."
From: Bianca Aniski MEd, RN, downloaded from the New Jersey State School Nurses Association Digest for Wednesday, February 9, 2022 & Thursday, February 10, 2022 (please click on the title to read the document):
PUBLIC HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS FOR COVID-19 HOME-BASED/ SELF-TESTS (Date: February 3, 2022)
New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Operating Childcare Programs (Updated February 8, 2022)
Resources for food banks/pantries, and meals for infants, children and families:
At this link: https://hungerfreenj.org/help/ you will find a comprehensive list of resources for food and meals as organized by the group “Hunger Free New Jersey”. Note that the link for the 2-1-1 Directory has six options listed and these include “home-delivered meals” (see “Older Adults” and “Individuals with Disabilities”) and Formula/Baby Food (see “Immediate Food” and “Infants and Children”).
Many thanks to:
Rick Hager
Community Outreach Coordinator
Office of Communications, Legislative and Public Affairs
New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)
PO Box 729
Trenton, NJ 08625
C: (609) 947-7505
From: SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from the NASN All Member Forum Digest for Thursday, December 10, 2021:
National Mental Health Crisis - US Surgeon General Report
The US Surgeon General released a report about mental health. Click the image below to view it.
Sheila Caldwell had previously shared a new website in relation to the National Mental Health Crisis Emergency Announcement, "Sound the Alarm for Kids". Be sure to periodically visit this website for information and resources. - click here
Words of wisdom from Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN as we await more information regarding the Omicron Covid-19 variant:
The Relentless School Nurse: Momentary Time and Space to Feel Calm…
(Please click on the title to read Robin Cogan's entire blog)
Many thanks to our Co-President Laura W. Sacks, RN, BA, BSN, MA for sharing the 10/2021 update for the New Jersey Immunization Requirement Frequently Asked Questions as noted below:
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/ -
NJ Immunization Requirements Frequently Asked Questions UPDATED 10/2021
The Resources page of our website has been updated.
THE RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE BLOG
by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FAAN
(Please click on the title to read the entire blog)
The Relentless School Nurse: Our Kids Are Irreplaceable
Excerpt: "This social media campaign was retrieved from: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign An initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce basic prevention measures.
The one thing I would change about the content of this campaign is the final line. It states “if you have a question ask a doctor. As much as I respect my physician colleagues, they are not the only experts. Healthcare professionals can answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. It is up to all of us to promote vaccine confidence. No one has more access to our nation’s 56 million children than the 96,000 school nurses on the frontlines of COVID in schools every single day.
You can be part of the COVID Community Corps – sign up here: here: https://wecandothis.hhs.gov/covidcommunitycorps."
From SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow downloaded from NASN thread November 2nd, 2021:
CDC Updates Blood Lead Reference Value to 3.5 µg/dL
Excerpt from the CDC news release referenced below: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its blood lead reference value (BLRV) from 5 µg/dL to 3.5 µg/dL in response to the Lead Exposure Prevention and Advisory Committee (LEPAC) recommendation made on May 14, 2021. The BLRV is intended to identify children with higher levels of lead in their blood compared to most children, based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead level (BLL) distribution in U.S. children ages 1–5 years"
The following resources may provide some helpful information about the updated BLRV:
In addition, an MMWR Policy Note titled, "Update of the Blood Lead Reference Value - United States, 2021" is available at Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) | MMWR (cdc.gov).
Resource from our October 26th NJSSNA Educational Program:
Aetna Better Health of New Jersey presented information on their Healthcare Central, NJ FamilyCare Guidance Center in Newark and the services they provide at that location. They provide a lot of community outreach programs with nutritional support, education and assistance with access to healthcare. Please click here for their brochure.
From SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow, downloaded from NJSSNA & NASN threads October 21, 2021:
NJDOE has a list of approved agencies that you can download. Please click here to see the link for the list. The last two columns note the approved nursing agencies. The only other sub opportunities are if the district hires their own. (The chart is a bit difficult to read, but you'll see)
Approved Clinics and Agencies
Regulated by New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-5.1 through 5.2
The clinics and agencies in this directory are approved to contract with public school districts to provide services for two categories of students: 1) Eligible students, enrolled at public expense, in public school districts and 2) Eligible students, enrolled at parental expense, in nonpublic schools. Clinics may be approved to provide services on-site at the location listed and/or off-site at the student's home, school or other appropriate location.
Seizure education opportunities: "Seizure Safe School Courses" from the Epilepsy Foundation, please click here.
Many thanks to Gina Emge, MSN, RN, CSN-NJ, NASN Director, for sharing the above information.
From FDA Medwatch:
TOPIC: One Lot of GLUCAGON Emergency Kit by Eli Lilly: Recall - Due to Loss of Potency
ISSUE: Eli Lilly and Company is recalling lot D239382D, Expiration April 2022, of Glucagon Emergency Kit for Low Blood Sugar (Glucagon for Injection, 1 mg per vial; Diluent for Glucagon, 1 mL syringe) because of a product complaint reporting that the vial of Glucagon was in liquid form instead of the powder form. The firm’s investigation indicates that the liquid in this Glucagon vial could be related to the manufacturing process. The use of the liquid form of this product may fail to treat severe low blood sugar due to loss of potency.
FROM SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ downloaded from NJSSNA thread from 9/24/21:
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NJDOE Suicide Prevention Resources (9/22) - click here
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NJDOH Reporting for ILI (Influenza-like Illness) and COVID-19 Surveillance and Testing In Schools (9/22) - click here We can't forget that we are going into influenza season too! Encourage the flu shot! Here is a link to a poster from NJDOH from last year - click here and the CDC has a number of posters too - click here
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NJDOE American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Funds Application Update (9/22) - click here. Now is the time to voice to your school board and school district about the use of some of the funds to assist you and for the health office. In one of @Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN's blog posts, our NJSSNA President @Donna Pleus, MSN, NCSN, RN, NJSSNA Exec Director @Marie Sasso, MEd, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ and NJSSNA President-Elect @Eileen Gavin, MSN, NCSN, RN, FNP-BC crafted some talking points of funding use - please click here to read. NASN also has talking points available - please click here.
Selected resources from our 9/22/21 presentation:
TOPICS OF IMPORTANCE TO SCHOOL NURSES TODAY by Sheila Caldwell, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NEA SISP Fellow:
CDC Project Firstline Infection Control webinars
OSHA Noise level decibels for public spaces (NIOSH has phone app)
OSHA's Forthcoming Rule and COVID-19 Vaccination mandates
AmeriCorps Competitive NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity): Schools could obtain assistance with contact tracing from the grant opportunities. The due date for that application is November 16th.
AmeriCorps Public Health Corps: There are a series of webinars that will help in the application process for which you would need to register. The due date for this application is November 8. Applications for this Notice of Funding are submitted directly to AmeriCorps State and National which is the federal funding agency
Additional Resources:
• Guidance for nebulization during the COVID-19 pandemic (nih.gov)
• Expedient Patient Isolation Rooms | NIOSH | CDC
• OSHA Workplace Updates Subscription page
• Occupational management of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 - Aug 2021
• Article – Do I need to worry about the MU variant?
• FDA -Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: September 17, 2021
• John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center – US Map
FROM SHEILA CALDWELL, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ downloaded from NJSSNA thread from 9/17/21:
Resources concerning Covid-19 test kits:
The Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) at FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) DICE@fda.hhs.gov e-mail account.
FDA's list of coronavirus tests that the FDA has authorized under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) can be found at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-molecular-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2 and https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-antigen-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2
Please visit the links provided to view. Be sure to scroll down the page and also select "All" to view all the products.
FROM ROBIN COGAN'S RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE BLOG:
PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLES TO READ THE BLOGS
The Relentless School Nurse: Actions 4 ACEs Announces Back-to-School Campaign
The Relentless School Nurse: An Op-Ed – School Nurses: In the Eye of the Storm
The Relentless School Nurse: Open or Close Windows and Doors For Safety – Which is it?
The Relentless School Nurse: School Nurses Featured on NPR’s All Things Considered!
FROM DONNA MACZYK MS, RN, NCSN, CAE, NASN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(EXCERPTED FROM POST OF 8/27/21 ON THE NASN ALL MEMBER FORUM)
Growing Through Grief: School Nurses Giving and Receiving Support
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The American Nurses Association curated resources in their Well-Being Initiative to support nurses' mental health and resilience.
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Although addressing hospital-based nurses, you may find useful grief education in Dealing with GRIEF - a compilation of five short videos and resource guides presented by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF), Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN), Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).
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In addition, the Coalition to Support Grieving Students has a video on professional self-care for school staff.
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The Coalition to Support Grieving Students wrote: Back to School 2021: Grieving Students, Transitions and COVID-19 for school staff.
*Click on white text for links
SAMHSA is committed to providing regular training and technical assistance (TTA) on matters related to the mental and substance use disorder field as they deal with COVID-19.
Their TA programs are delivering great resources during this time. View the updated available TTA resources to assist with the current situation.
Please click on the image for the NJ ACES Statewide Action Plan
ARTICLE ON PROMISING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ALLERYG ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY: Epinephrine Nasal Spray Demonstrates Bioequivalent Exposure and Absorption Rate Compared to Epinephrine Injectors, please click here.
RESOURCES ON LONG COVID: HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on "Long COVID" and Disability Rights Under the ADA, Section 504, and Section 1557. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are jointly publishing guidance on how "long COVID" can be a disability under the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. The guidance is on the HHS website at https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/index.html and on the DOJ website at https://www.ada.gov/long_covid_joint_guidance.pdf - PDF.
This guidance, along with a directory of resources available through programs funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), was shared this morning by the White House as part of a comprehensive package of resources for people with long COVID, which you can find here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/26/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-marks-anniversary-of-americans-with-disabilities-act-and-announces-resources-to-support-individuals-with-long-covid/.
The ACL directory of resources for those with long COVID may be found at: https://acl.gov/sites/default/filea/COVID 19/ACL LongCOVIDpdf - PDF.
Additional Resources:
OCR has a webpage devoted to COVID-19 and civil rights issues: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/index.html
DOJ's Civil Rights Division has a page on its ADA.gov website that discusses topics related to COVID-19 and the ADA: https://www.ada.gov/emerg_prep.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website has a page on post-COVID conditions, which discusses long COVID: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
Other ACL resources and information about COVID-19 for people with disabilities can be found at: https://acl.gov/COVID-19
ACL and OCR partnered to create a website that tells the story of how the ADA came to be, showcase some of the progress we have made as a country toward achieving its promise, and illustrate a little bit of the work being done by ACL and OCR, as well as other partners within HHS and across government. That website can be found at: https://acl.gov/ada
If you believe that you or another person has been discriminated against by an entity covered by Federal civil rights laws, you may file a complaint with OCR. Information about how to file a complaint is available at: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints
If you believe that you or another person has been discriminated against by an entity covered by the ADA, you may file a complaint with the Disability Rights Section (DRS) in the Department of Justice. Information about how to file a complaint is available at: https://www.ada.gov/fact_on_complaint.htm.
Additional resources:
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The CDC has an early release of this report. It is mentioned because the use of nebulizers and "full, appropriate" PPE, should still be a concern.. "Risk for Acquiring COVID-19 Illness among Emergency Medical Service Personnel Exposed to Aerosol-Generating Procedures" (9/2021) - please click here to read
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CDC MMWR Report "Acceptability of Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adolescents and Parents of Adolescents - United States, April 15–23, 2021" - please click here to read
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CHOP Policy Lab guidance "Guidance for In-person Education in K-12 Educational Settings" (7/2021) - please click here to read
Many thanks to Sheila Caldwell RN, BSN, CSN-NJ for all of this information.
Your local health department will interpret the guidance from these agencies based on the coronavirus activities levels in your area. Please click on the links below:
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CDC's Childcare Center & K-12 Guidance (7/9) - please click here.
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USDA Back-to-School Nutrition and Supporting a Safe Re-opening information - please click here.
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Archived webinar from USDOE "Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation in America's K-12 Schools: Guidance and Strategies for Improved Results" (6/30) - please click here to view
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U.S. puts new warning on J&J coronavirus vaccine for autoimmune disorder - please click here.
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AAP's Children and COVID-19 State-level Data Report - please click here.
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7/8 FDA & CDC Joint Statement on Vaccine Boosters - please click here.
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OSHA Jurisdiction Over Public Schools and Other State and Local Government Entities: COVID-19 Issues (2/2021) - please click here.
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OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards and COVID-19 (6/2021) - please click here.
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To add public commentary to make OSHA Emergency temporary standards permanent- please click here .NJ having schools noted in their plan that has 9 standards (click here to view)
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NJ has noted 9 standards in their plan, please click here to view.
Many thanks to Sheila Caldwell RN, BSN, CSN-NJ for all of this information.
NASN'S CLAIM YOUR SCHOOL INITIATIVE TO ASSIST NASN WITH ADVOCACY, please click here.
RESOURCE: from the CDC Learning Connection, please click here to provide your email for information and free CE courses. This issue of the CDC Learning Connection newsletter highlights new COVID-19 trainings and resources. Please visit CDC's COVID-19 website for the latest information.
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COVID-19 and Pregnancy
Pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Review what we know about the disease and getting vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy with this webinar.
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COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool
Use CDC's new COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to determine what type of test you should perform and next steps.
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Vaccine Confidence Among Healthcare Professionals & Local Vaccine Rollout
Watch this webinar to learn ways to increase vaccine confidence among healthcare professionals and how two counties launched COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Earn free CE.
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Caring for People with Post-COVID Conditions
Some people experience health problems more than four weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Learn how to evaluate and care for them with this webinar. Earn free CE.
EXCELLENT RESOURCE:
Trends And Concerns Facing Teens Today-Stop the Stigma Let’s Talk About Holistic Teen Health
June 16, 2021 presentation information: Many thanks to Jaclyn Headlam for sharing her excellent presentation slides and videos with us. Please click here to view the link.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE SCHOOL HEALTH CORPORATION (Copied and pasted from their email):
"Boost Your Nursing Education Throughout the Summer
If you're looking for ways to continue supplementing your nursing and healthcare education during the summer, visit our webinars page or our YouTube channel to learn about topics like vision and hearing screening, cardiac arrest, AEDs, special education tools, and more! Our blog is also a great resource to read up on subjects like reopening schools, emergency preparedness and Stop the Bleed. Plus, check out our selection of books and professional resources for school nurses.
School Health also has a blog
See Some of Our Most Popular Webinars
What's Next? A Year Later - Pandemic Procedures and Protocols
We’ll address how the introduction of a vaccine has impacted safety protocols, and how schools are adapting and reopening. We'll also discuss how temperature screenings complements health monitoring in a partially-vaccinated school population.
Integrating Lay Rescuers Into the Plan for School Emergencies
Empowering lay rescuers to assist with medical emergencies can have enormous implications and enhance even the best emergency response plans.
Meeting Challenges of Vision Screening During COVID-19 - Q&A
Learn how a Head Start program in upstate New York used the Welch Allyn Spot® Vision Screener to complete their vision screening during a very challenging year.
Popular Books for School Nurses:
School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text
Legal Resource for School Health Services
Individualized Healthcare Plans for the School Nurse "
INTERESTING TOPICS RETRIEVED FROM SCHOOL NURSE NET:
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NJDOH Guidance (5/19) Travel and Masking Clarifications for K-12 Schools has been updated on (5/20) and addresses high school graduations, please click here.
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LPNs in schools: A question arose regarding a district administration's request to have LPNs covering a school.
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The district’s legal team would have to contact the NJDOE at healthyschools@doe.nj.gov, for this decision.
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The broadcast memo from 12/15/15 discusses the Employment of Certified School Nurses, please click here.
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The document concerning the pandemic and substitute nurses in schools, please click here.
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The dechoker device (portable anti-choking device to be used in schools)
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There is currently legislation in the assembly for the dechoker device to be made available in the cafeteria and in school nurses offices. For the bill A5524, please click here. This legislation has not been passed as yet.
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Resource for HIPAA protected entities in reference to questions about requesting vaccination status, please click here.
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NJAAP Pediatric Mental Health Minute Series includes approximately 16 to 18 minute videos on the following topics: Maladaptive Aggression, Deprescribing in Children, Psychosocial Treatment, Screening Tools, Mental Health Promotion and Problem Prevention, ADHD, Mental Health in Infants and Children, Antidepressant Side Effects, Antidepressants, Suicide, Adolescent Depression, Trauma Informed Care and Anxiety. Please click here for the link.
FROM THE RELENTLESS SCHOOL NURSE:
Dorrie Uscinowicz of the Voorhees School District picked up on a student's high blood pressure during a screening. It turned out that the student was diagnosed with kidney cancer and required a nephrectomy.
Please click the title below for the link to the news video:
South Jersey 9-year-old thanks school nurse for saving her life.
Resource downloaded from Sheila Caldwell, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ, NJSSNA School Nurse Net thread:
P.L. 2019, CHAPTER 189 (A1428 2R) is an act concerning child trafficking awareness for school districts and supplementing chapter 36 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. To read the act please click here.
NJDOE had put in place "Human Trafficking Resources" based on this law, please click here.
Racism is declared a serious public health threat by the director of the CDC.
Rochelle P. Walensky MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), declared racism a serious public health threat, please click here for the full document.
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New APHA (American Public Health Association) mapping tool tracks localities declaring racism a public health crisis, please click here.
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The Campaign for Action has been hosting a series of webinars "Health Equity Action Forums", Fortunately, the webinars are recorded for later viewing, please click here.
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Many thanks again to Sheila Caldwell, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ for these excellent posts.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and 19 nursing and healthcare organizations are joining together on a new vaccine education campaign: COVID Vaccine Facts for Nurses.
Two New NJDOH Guidance Documents Dated April 5th:
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Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Persons in Non-Healthcare Settings - click here
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Recommended Minimum Quarantine Timeframes - click here
Please click here for the archived webinar for Connecting Youth and Families to Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities / Developmental Disabilities services in New Jersey. This webinar was held on March 16th. You will learn about how these services are accessed and delivered. The second half of the session is a Q&A which is also highly informative, as is the FAQ document for which you can click here.
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES), please click here for a brilliant article from the Journal of School Nursing referenced in a thread on School Nurse Net from the NASN All Member Forum
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN:
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If you think that someone is in need of behavioral or mental health support, suggest that a parent or guardian call the NJ Children's System of Care at 1-877-652-7624
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HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: Please click here.
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EDUCATORS: Please click here.
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CHILDREN’S SYSTEM OF CARE (CSOC) MEDIA KIT, please click here.
Protect Yourself: Use and Re-Use of PPE
Free PPE webinar supported by the American Nurses Foundation and ANA to help Nurses protect themselves and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. To view the complete 60-minute webinar, as well as four Quick Videos of key highlights, please click here. In these videos, you will learn Occupational health risks related to COVID-19; COVID-19 modes of transmission as it is currently understood; Isolation precautions and PPE selection and use for COVID-19; Crisis standards of care related to PPE use during COVID-19; re-use of PPE, including respirators and isolation gowns.
To register for the above 60 minute webinar, please click here, and choose the second option on the left side of the page. There are many excellent free webinars offered on the nursingworld.org website including ANA's COVID-19 Self-Care Package for Nurses, which you can register for by clicking here.
Opioid Continuing Education Requirement For All Nurses Will start with 2019-21 License Renewals
Here are a couple of the options to fulfill the requirements:
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CEU Fast's: Opioid Crisis: Feel the Pain (cost)
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NASN's: Opioid Overdose Awareness and Prevention Program: A Model for School Health (free for members/ cost for non-members)
T.R.U.S.T Seizure Recognition and First Aid Powerpoint for Staff Education (Please click on the title above for the link to the powerpoint) Andrea Racioppi (our presenter from the 12/16/2020 Mandatory Seizure Education Requirements based on Paul's Law program) has requested that you send her a sign in sheet by fax to: 609-392-5621 or scanning the sign in sheet and sending them to her email address: aracioppi@efnj.com
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: To obtain a certificate from the Epilepsy Foundation,
you must attend a live webinar by registering on the following website: https://epilepsyservicesnj.org/pauls-law/
