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.

  • 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 smart phone 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)

COVID-19 Links

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19

  • 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 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

May 19, 2020 - VHSS Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Reporting Update

  • 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.

May 20, 2020 - Zoom Recording

April 29, 2020 - School Nurse's Meeting During a Pandemic

  • 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

    Knowing that every child's life is sacred, it is the promise of Cook Children's to improve the health of every child in our region through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.
    Comments (-1)

April 14, 2020 - A Message from DSHS Regarding Student Immunizations and Enrollment

  • As COVID-19 continues to affect communities across Texas, children may be provisionally enrolled in school without meeting immunization requirements.  Under the Texas Administrative Code Rule §97.66, a provisional enrollment may be granted for all children enrolled in schools and child-care facilities who are unable to meet Immunization requirements.  A child-care provider, school nurse, or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled child or student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If at the end of the 30-day period, a child or student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the child or student is not in compliance and the facility shall exclude the child or student from attendance until the required dose is administered.

     

    Best,

    Julie Ketelsen MPH, CHES

    School Compliance Coordinator

    Assessment, Compliance, and Evaluation Group

    Immunization Unit

    Department of State Health Services

    512-776-6470 (desk)

    512-776-7544 (fax)

    www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
    Comments (-1)

Spinal Screening Reporting Period Begins January 15

  • The reporting period for spinal screening (VHSS) begins on January 15, 2020. Results are required to be submitted to the Department of State Health Services online at the Child Health Reporting System (CHRS) by June 30 of each year. View the vision, hearing, and spinal screening annual reports flyer.

    The last day to submit your report for this school year is June 30, 2020. After June 30, the reporting system shuts down and late reporting cannot be submitted.

ESC Region 11 and TSNO School Nurse Survey