Children in Need of Help for Health Problems

Children with uncontrolled asthma, dental abscesses, or emotional difficulties, will have difficulty learning, but sometimes parents have trouble getting time off from work or locating a doctor or dentist who can help solve their child's problem. 1 Even healthy children who see a physician regularly may need emergency services or help with medications during the school day.

Learning what services are available at your child's school, understanding the related policies, and knowing when the health staff is available and how to contact them, will help you assure that your child receives the quality services needed. Here are some questions that you may want to ask.

[Download free checklist -- PDF format]

2. Who provides these services?

In some cases, the school system may be responsible for health services. In other instances, the local health department or a community-based health agency may provide services under a contract or memorandum of understanding with the school system. In any event, it is always important to know the training of staff members who provide services. What education, credentials and experience does each professional have that are relevant to the services they provide?

3. When are these services available?

Typically services are available when trained staff are available. While a health suite may be open during school hours, it may be staffed part-time with trained health professionals. Ask for a schedule of nursing, medical, and counseling hours.

4. What should parents do if current health services do not appear to match the requirements of the school community?

Times change and programs and services that were right for a school community 20 or 30 years ago may no longer meet the needs of families. Here are some suggestions of things you can do to strengthen your school's health program:

• Talk with other parents and school staff about your concerns. A group of informed parents is the most powerful advocate for a stronger school health program.
• Ask all health professionals who provide some services within the school to describe what unmet health needs they see and the steps they recommend to provide stronger support for children.
• With a clear picture of student needs and current gaps in services, meet with school board members and school district officials to discuss what you have learned and suggest some next steps.
• Consider involving community-based health professionals. For example, pediatricians, health department officials, community hospitals, and mental health agenciesmay be willing to discuss how they might contribute to solutions of perceived problems.
• Get to know the range of services being offered in various school districts. From basic nursing services to expanded primary care, mental health services and dental programs, there are a variety of approaches to solving children's health problems and meeting parents' concerns.
• Remember -- If a stronger, more effective school health program is a priority for parents, it will become a priority for the school board and school system as well.

Resources

Local School Districts
Austin (TX) Independent School District.
Guidance & Counseling. Program Overview. 80,000 students. 2006.
www.austinisd.org/academics/sss/gc/about.phtml

Los Angeles Unified School District.
Student Health and Human Services. Medical Services. 725,000 students. 2000.
http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/page?_pageid=33,130046&_dad=ptl&_schema=PTL_EP

Multnomah (Portland, OR) County Health Department.
School-Based Health Center Program. 2003
www.mchealth.org/sbhc/

Seattle School District.
School Nursing Program. 50,000 students. 2002
www.seattleschools.org/area/healthservices/index.html

State guidelines
Maryland State Department of Education.
School-Based Health Centers.
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/studentschoolsvcs/student_services_alt/school_based_health_centers/

Maryland State Department of Education.
School Nursing.
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/studentschoolsvcs/student_services_alt/school_health_services/

Minnesota School Health Guide.
Children with Special Health Care Needs
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mcshn/mcshn.html

Other resources
Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
School Health Basics: Health At School: A Hidden Health Care System Emerges from the Shadows. Health Affairs, March/April 2007; 26(2): 409-419.
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/26/2/409

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
School-Based Mental Health.
http://www.healthinschools.org/Health-in-Schools/Health-Services/School-Based-Mental-Health.aspx

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
Dental Health Services.
www.healthinschools.org/dentalhealth.asp 

The HSC Foundation.
Partnering with Your Child's School: A Guide for Parents.
Information and Resources for Families of Children with Health and/or Mental Health Care Needs.
English version - PDF format

Footnote

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on School Health. Guidelines for Emergency Medical Care in Schools.
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/2/435