School Health

Announcements

Alert: MRSA Information
View Video | DHSS Information

Child Care Weather Watch - Understanding the Weather

Friday Facts - Resources and information on upcoming conferences and teleconferences that contractors and school nurses may be interested in.
Published by:
Center for Local Public Health Services
(573) 751-6170 Phone
(573) 751-5350 Fax
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/fridayfacts

READY CAMPAIGN PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISEMENTS
In order to encourage Americans to prepare themselves, their families and their communities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with The Advertising Council, has sponsored public service advertisements (PSAs) that educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies. One of the PSAs was written for persons with disabilities. For more information go to http://www.ready.gov/america/about/instructional.html

ADA TOOL KIT ADDRESSES EMERGENCY PREPARATION AND RESPONSE
The Department of Justice has released the seventh chapter in its 'ADA Best Practices Toolkit,' focusing on informing state and local governments how to protect their citizens with disabilities in disaster and emergency situations under Title II of the ADA. Addendums provide Emergency Management and Sheltering information with checklists to ensure proper procedures. For more information: Department of Justice, ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments, available at
http://ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm

New Emergency Resource for Teaching “Shelter in Place”
Wally Wise Guy is the official “Shelter in Place Turtle”.  Elementary age children can go to his website to learn what it means to “shelter in place” in the case of an environmental emergency such as chemical leakage or spills.  The site offers information at an elementary grade level, an interactive quiz, coloring pages, and additional web links for more information.  For schools and teachers, this costume character is available through the Missouri Emergency Response Commission.  The request would come from the Local Emergency Planning Committee and takes at least 6 weeks in advance to schedule your event.  Here is the site: http://www.wally.org. 

Information Release From the FDA About New HFA Inhalers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently is providing information for patients and care givers that use the new albuterol inhalers containing HFA.  The national transition from CFC propelled inhalers to HFA inhalers is the result of an international environmental treaty that stated CFC was an ozone depleting substance.  As of December 31, 2008 the CFC propelled inhalers will no longer be available. 

Currently there are three approved HFA inhalers:  Proair HFA, Proventil HFA, and Ventolin HFA.  In addition, an HFA propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA.  With this transition, school nurses need to advise their parents and students of the following:

• HFA inhalers may taste/feel different than the CFC inhalers.  Notably, the force of the spray may feel “softer”.  Patients will need assurance of the drug’s same effectiveness as when the CFC was used.
• The HFA actuator must be cleaned under warm running water once weekly in order to prevent it from being clogged and the medication not reaching the lungs.  Instructions accompany the inhalers.  Please encourage patients and families to read these. 
• The HFA inhaler needs to be “primed” before initial use.  These instructions also accompany the inhaler. 

Additional information, including a podcast, consumer article, and public service announcement can be found on the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/cder/mdi/albuterol.htm

Dairy Council Resource on Wellness
The National Dairy Council and your local Dairy Council have teamed up with the National Football League to lead the revolution for healthier kids!  Go to this website to reserve your free Wellness Activation Kit for your school:  www.SchoolWellnessKit.org.

Governor Blunt and Missouri Department of Social Services Announce
New Online Form
As of July 15th, 2008, there is a new online application form for MO HealthNet.  During the application process, applicants may call the MO HealthNet Service Center toll free at 1-888-275-5908, or contact the local Family Services Division Office for assistance.  The website is: http://www.dss.mo.gov/mhk/appl.htm

New Youth Health Educator in the Bureau of HIV/STD and Hepatitis
Stephanie Washington is new to the Bureau and is available to do school presentations on a variety of subjects pertaining to HIV and STD prevention and can also provide access to HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy materials and literature as well.  For more information or to set up presentations, call 573-522-2550.

2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) Summary Released
The Division of Adolescent and School Health, national Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, is pleased to announce the release of this 2007 survey data.  You can access this information at http://www.cdc.gov/yrbss.