School Nurses

Purpose

  • ESC Region 11 strives to provide districts and charters with quality professional development, technical assistance, and resources related to the Coordinated School Health Model, including vision, hearing, and spinal screening.

Latest News & Updates:

  • Virtual Unlicensed Diabetic Care Assistant (UDCA) Training for School Personnel

    10/16/2020 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

    Registration
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  • Spinal Screening Announcement from DSHS

    There will be no in-person Spinal Screening trainings conducted by DSHS Staff for the remainder of 2020.

    Therefore, we are providing training virtually, until we can conduct in-person certification. For those without a current certification, we will provide participants with a provisional certification valid through December 31, 2021. These participants will not be required to do the practicum portion of the training at this time. However, they will need to sign up for an in-person spinal training class and will have the practicum at that time before their provisional certification expires. Those needing to be recertified for spinal, classes are provided online only for those whose certifications are current and will expire on December 31, 2020.   

    Please direct requests for spinal screening trainings to Sylvia Millsap at Sylvia.Millsap@dshs.texas.gov.
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  • A message from Sheron Fountain, DSHS Regional Coordinator:

    Good Afternoon All,

    There will be no in-person Vision/Hearing/Recertification Screening trainings conducted by DSHS Regional Coordinators for the remainder of 2020.

    Therefore, DSHS is providing basic training virtually, until we can conduct in-person certification. We will provide participants with a Provisional Certification valid through December 31, 2021. These participants will not be required to do the practicum portion of the training at this time. However, they will need to sign up for an in-person recertification class and will have the practicum at that time before their provisional certification expires.

    Basic training classes will begin the week of September 1, 2020, and will continue through December. Any participant can register from Region 10, 11, or my Public Health Region 3. There is no fee for the trainings.

    Please see the Eventbrite registration links below. 

    If you have any further questions, please let me know.  

    • Vision and Hearing Recertification:

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vision-hearing-recertification-screening-training-esc-regions-10-11-tickets-117774431495

    • Vision Registration:

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vision-screening-provisional-certification-esc-regions-10-11-tickets-117768810683

    • Hearing Registration:

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hearing-screening-provisional-certification-esc-regions-10-11-tickets-117601285611

    Best regards,

    Sheron Fountain, BS  
    Regional Coordinator
    Vision, Hearing & Spinal Screening Program  
    Health Service Region 3
    Texas Department of State Health Services
    1301 South Bowen Road, Suite 200
    Arlington, TX 76013
    sheron.fountain@dshs.texas.gov

    Please sign up for email updates on our websites:
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  • Virtual Vision/Hearing Recertification Classes

    The DSHS Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program will be offering virtual Vision and Hearing Recertification workshops effective July 13, 2020, for individuals who have a current vision and hearing certification that will expire December 31, 2020.   

    Trainings will be conducted through Microsoft Teams, and will not require specialized software. Participants will need to have a computer, laptop, chrome book, tablet, or smartphone with audio/video capability. 

    To register, please contact Sheron Fountain, BS 

    Regional Coordinator
    Vision, Hearing & Spinal Screening Program
    Health Service Region 3
    Texas Department of State Health Services
    1301 South Bowen Road, Suite 200
    Arlington, TX 76013
    Phone: 817-264-4916
    Fax: 817-264-4719
    Comments (-1)

  • School Vaccination Rules 2020-2021 (June 17, 2020)

    School vaccination rules are in effect for the 2020-2021 school year.  Students should be up-to-date, in the process of receiving vaccines, or have a valid exemption on file when school starts in the fall. For a list of vaccine requirements for K-12, Pre-K, and child-care facilities, go to the Texas School & Child-Care Facility webpage. 

    For a list of providers who offer low-cost vaccines, go to the Texas Vaccines for Children Provider Locator webpage.

    This information is posted on the COVID-19 School Updates webpage.

    Best,
    Julie Ketelsen MPH, CHES
    School Compliance Coordinator
    Assessment, Compliance, and Evaluation Group
    Immunization Unit
    Department of State Health Services
    512-776-6470 or 512-776-7544
    www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize

  • Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening and Reporting Rules are Waived for 2019-2020 School Year. Optional reporting window for screenings already conducted extended to July 31.  

    • Due to COVID-19 and school closures, in accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, the Office of the Governor grants the Department of State Health Services’ request to suspend HSC section 37.001(b), 25 TAC 37.144(c)(1), and 25 TAC 37.145(b)(5) for spinal screening and reporting, and HSC sections 36.004(a), 36.006(d), and 25 TAC 37.23(a), 25 TAC 37.24(a), and 25 TAC 37.26(b)(6) for hearing and vision screening and reporting. This suspension is in effect for the 2019-2020 school year.
    • Schools may report screening results of previously performed screenings by July 31st for the 2019-2020 school year if they elect to do so. Results can be submitted to DSHS online at the Child Health Reporting System (CHRS).  If you have any questions, please email VHSSprogram@dshs.texas.gov.

  • Rounds Training

    I am excited to announce that Cook Children’s Pediatric Grand Rounds is back- Virtually! I have attached the upcoming dates and topics for you. If you would like to be included automatically to receive future Grand Rounds emails, please let me know, and I will get you in touch with our continuing education coordinator.

    Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any needs or questions regarding Cook Children’s! We are here for you and happy to help.

    Thank you!

    Jody McCauley
    Physician Liaison 
    682-583-0937
    jody.mccauley@cookchildrens.org
    Comments (-1)