504 - Student Health Services

Health services are an integral part of assisting all students to increase learning, achievement, and performance. Health services coordinate and support existing programs to assist each student in achievement of an optimal state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Student health services ensure continuity and create linkages between school, home, and community service providers. The school district’s needs and resources determine the linkages.

Except in emergent care situations or child abuse assessments, the district will not administer invasive physical examinations or health screenings of a student that are not required by state or federal law without first obtaining the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian.

  • Emergent care situation means a sudden or unforeseen occurrence of onset of a medical or behavioral condition that could result in serious injury or harm to a student or others in the event immediate medical attention is not provided. Emergent care situation includes the need to screen a student or others for symptoms or exposures during an outbreak or public health event of concern as designated by the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services.
  • Invasive physical examination means any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body parts or any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or injection into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, dental, or scoliosis screening.
  • Student health screening means an intentionally planned, periodic process to identify if students may be at risk for a health concern and to determine if a referral for an in-depth assessment is needed to consider appropriate health services. Student health screening does not include an episodic, individual screening done in accordance with professional licensed practice.

The superintendent [or designee], in conjunction with the school nurses, will develop administrative regulations implementing this policy. The superintendent [or designee] will provide a written report on the role of health services in the education program to the board annually.

Adopted: 2/21
Revised: 8/23; 8/24
Related Policy: 504.1-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 22.7; 139A.3, .8, .21; 143.1; 152; 256.7(24), .11; 280.23;
281 IAC 12.3(4), (7), (11); 12.4(12); 12.8; 282 IAC 22; 641 IAC 7; 655 IAC 6;
Iowa Senate File 2080 and Iowa House File 2393
IASB Reference: 607.02
Mandatory Policy

 

 

504-R - Regulations Regarding Student Health Services

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
Each school building may develop a customized student health services program based on its unique needs and resources. Scientific advances, laws, and school improvement necessitate supports to students with health needs to receive their education program.

Supports to improve student achievement include:

  1. Qualified health personnel;
  2. Superintendent, school nurse, and school health team working collaboratively;
  3. Family and community involvement; and
  4. Optimal student health services program with commitment to its continuing improvement.

Components provided within a coordinated school health program include:

  1. Health services;
  2. Nutrition;
  3. Healthy, safe environment;
  4. Staff wellness;
  5. Health education;
  6. Physical education and activity;
  7. Counseling, psychological, and social services; and
  8. Family and community involvement.

Student health services are provided to identify health needs; facilitate access to health care; provide for health needs related to educational achievement; promote health, well-being, and safety; and plan and develop the health services program.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Identify student health needs:
    1. Provide individual initial and annual health assessments;
    2. Provide needed health screenings;
    3. Maintain and update confidential health records; and
    4. Communicate (written, oral, electronic) health needs as consistent with confidentiality laws.
       
  2. Facilitate student access to physical and mental health services:
    1. Link students to community resources and monitor follow through;
    2. Promote increased access and referral to primary health care financial resources such as Medicaid, HAWK-I, social security, and community health clinics; and
    3. Encourage appropriate use of health care.
       
  3. Provide for student health needs related to educational achievement:
    1. Manage chronic and acute illnesses;
    2. Provide special health procedures and medication including delegation, training, and supervision of qualified, designated school personnel;
    3. Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise Individual Health Plans (IHP) for all students with special health needs according to mandates in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
    4. Provide urgent and emergency care for individual and group illness and injury;
    5. Prevent and control communicable diseases and monitor immunizations;
    6. Promote optimal mental health;
    7. Promote a safe school facility and a safe school environment; and
    8. Participate in and attend team meetings as a team member and health consultant.
       
  4. Promote student health, wellbeing, and safety to foster healthy living:
    1. Provide developmentally appropriate health education and health counseling for individuals and groups;
    2. Encourage injury and disease prevention practices;
    3. Promote personal and public health practices; and
    4. Provide health promotion and injury and disease prevention education.
       
  5. Plan and develop the student health services program collaboratively with the superintendent, school nurse, and school health team:
    1. Gather and interpret data to evaluate needs and performance;
    2. Establish health advisory council and school health team;
    3. Develop health procedures and guidelines;
    4. Collaborate with staff, families, and community;
    5. Maintain and update confidential student health records;
    6. Coordinate program with all school health components;
    7. Coordinate with school improvement;
    8. Evaluate and revise the health services program to meet changing needs;
    9. Organize scheduling and direct health services staff;
    10. Develop student health services annual status report;
    11. Coordinate information and program delivery within the school and between school and major constituents;
    12. Provide health services by qualified health professionals to effectively deliver services, including multiple levels of school health expertise such as registered nurses, physicians, and advanced registered nurse practitioners; and
    13. Provide for professional development for school health services staff.

EXPANDED HEALTH SERVICES
These additional health services address learning barriers and the lack of access to health care. Examples include school-based services in the schools, school-linked services connected to the schools, primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and dental health.

Adopted: 8/23
Related Policy: 504
IASB Reference: 607.02; 607.02-R(1)