Harrison County Health Department

School Health Program

The Harrison County Health Department provides 1 RN and 1 LPN to the five school districts in Harrison County to assist the school districts with their school health programs.  The HCHD staff work closely with the school administrators using the Manual for School Health Programs as their guide to establish and maintain a coordinated school health system targeting positive outcomes for school-age children, their families, the school staff, and the community.

Four of the school districts participate in a contract with HCHD and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.  This contract focuses on outcomes and a coordinated approach to school health.  The guiding principle of a coordinated school health approach is that working in partnership with health agencies, community institutions, and families; schools and communities can create a seamless web of education and services that lowers the barriers to learning.  The long-term outcomes for the School Health Services Program are to promote healthy and safe behaviors of young people, and to improve educational performance.

Asthma action plans and individualized health care plans are written by the RN for those students needing special monitoring in the school setting.  These plans are reviewed annually by the RN and the plans are distributed to those staff who work with the individual student.

Each school district has their own Health Advisory Committee.  They meet approximately four times per year and discuss issues such as safety, physical activity, healthy eating, and wellness for students as well as staff.  School health policies are reviewed and findings shared with the administration and school board for review.  Health data collection has become a goal for the HCHD staff to better assess the special health care needs of the students.

The HCHD staff continue to assist the school districts in the control of head lice.  When requested, head lice checks are performed at the beginning of each school year and again after Christmas break.  Parents are counseled as needed.  Project NOEL assists the school districts with head lice shampoo.  In 2006 approximately 1,648 head lice checks were performed. 

Screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis were done this year, as time was available. Bethany Eye Center assisted HCHD with vision screenings at North and South Harrison. Over 1,800 screenings have been done in 2006 for vision, hearing, and scoliosis.  Referrals for vision and hearing are made after a child has failed two individual screenings. Referrals for scoliosis are done after one individual screening.  Resources are provided to parents in need of assistance.

The HCHD staff provides educational materials to students, parents, and teachers as requested.  HCHD provides a small library of videos for health education and assists with ordering educational literature from the state.  MC+ information was offered to all school districts.  Applications for MC+ are sent to parents upon request.  This year the percentage of students with evidence of access to a regular source of medical care has increased from 77% to 82% in the 4 smaller school districts.

Dental screenings are now conducted in the fall.  Local dentists and their assistants provided their time and expertise to conduct dental screenings for 547 Harrison County school children in grades K-6.  The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services provides toothbrushes.

A Five A Day program was presented to the 3^rd grade students of North Harrison, Cainsville, Gilman City, and Ridgeway School Districts.  This was a 6- week program with one meeting per week.  According to the students surveyed, at the beginning of the program 20% of the students consumed 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day, and at the end of the program 40% of the students consumed 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day.  Students tasted fresh fruit and vegetables, which were provided by HCHD.  Dole 5 A Day provided student cookbooks for each student participating.

A safe and healthy environment is important for education; optimal learning requires good health.  The health norms and social expectations created by the school act as a factor to support healthy development of students.  All school health personnel and administration, community members along with the Harrison County Health Department continue to work toward creating a healthful school environment by acting as a liaison between home and school regarding health concerns.   

Donna Stevenson, RN

School Health Nurse Manager  

2006 School Health Statistics

Head Lice checks          1,648

Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis checks     1,800+

Dental screenings          547