Catholic Health East : Best Practices

RHC: Holy Cross Health Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Contact: Kim Saiswick, RN

Title: Program Director

E-mail:
Fax: 910.692.3643
Phone: 954.771.8000

Description of the Best Practice:

The School Health Services Program of Holy Cross Health Ministries works to improve the health of children, particularly those lacking financial resources, attending parochial elementary school in Broward County, Florida.

Implementation & Time Frame

School Health Services was designed in 1997 in response to the tremendous gap in service delivery to children, who receive little preventative attention and experience frequent illness that progresses rapidly. The goal of the program is to improve the health and well being of those children most in need of health care services attending the parochial schools, and its premise, "A health child today . . . A healthy community tomorrow."

At the outset of Year One, a partnership agreement with the Archdiocese of Miami, Department of Schools (who maintains jurisdiction over parochial sites in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties) was formed. Three elementary school sites in Broward were assigned to the program based upon parental outstanding financial need. A school nurse with extensive public health experience was hired to carry out this mission-sponsored, vitally-needed service. The program was introduced to schools, their community, parents, and students. All collateral materials were created and service delivery provided for absolutely no fee.

Due to the diversity of the children, parents, and school personnel accessing and utilizing the program, it has been necessary to be creative and flexible in the service delivery schedule. For example, immunization drives have taken place at the school site during week days, on weekends, at family day picnics, at school carnivals, and at the local McDonald’s Restaurants. Literature and permission slips are bi/trilingual and often interpreters are present to assist with ensuring accurate educational messages are received.

Outcome

• The School Health Services Program has provided more than 800 onsite health care interventions, 50 education presentations, 2,500 health screenings (i.e., vision, hearing, speech, scoliosis), and 4,000 immunization reviews and administrations to over 3,500 children, members of the school community, and parents/guardians. Program success is measured by a decrease in school absences and the number of children leaving the school site during the day due to illness, an increase in immunization compliance rates, and an increase in knowledge of health related subjects.
• The program was seen to have its most direct impact upon the opening of the school health rooms in Year 2. The responsibility of the nurse or parent volunteer to care for ill children versus the school secretary has made a significant impact in the number of children remaining in school for the day.
• The administration of an aggressive immunization campaign has been effective. The ability to offer immunizations at the school site (or alternate location) for no charge has yielded, on average, a 20 percent increase in compliance. Ongoing parent and school community education has also contributed toward heightened awareness of the importance of appropriate immunization.

• Students have demonstrated success in achieving increased knowledge and understanding of health-related topics. Ongoing presentations further reinforce newly acquired knowledge.

Best Practice Narrative is limited to a one page summary.
Supporting data is limited to one page.