Health Services are services provided for students to assess, protect, and promote health. Research shows that children learn better and experience school success more readily if their health needs are addressed.
Comprehensive, high quality health services on-site at the school or through an effective referral system to the community leads to student achievement, improved test scores, increased attendance, and engagement in learning.
Qualified professionals such as physicians, nurses, dentists, health educators, and other allied health personnel provide these health services to:
School health education, health services, and school environment are guided by the
The
Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Communicable Disease Testing in Preschool, School, Colleges or Universitiesare established for the purpose of adopting standards pertaining to requirements for immunizations and testing of communicable diseases for child care workers in preschools and students at any preschool or school in grades Kindergarten-12 and students entering colleges and universities in Rhode Island.According to the
Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Reporting of Infectious, Environmental and Occupational Diseaseslicensed healthcare professionals and healthcare agencies are required to report selected communicable diseasesto the Rhode Island Department of Health. In addition to reporting individual cases, outbreaks of disease should be reported as indicated.The
These model guidelines serve as a tool and reference point for policy development, protocols and procedures, as needed, in a school health program. Utilization of these model guidelines is encouraged to develop or supplement district and non-public school health manuals.
The Rhode Island Departments of Education and Health wish to thank the RI Certified School Nurse Teacher Association and all RI school nurse teachers for providing expertise and oversight for the provision of school health services and promotion of health education (NASN) and for their continued dedication to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all RI students to learn.
A special acknowledgement is extended to the state School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), Health Services sub-committee members Linda Mendonca, RN, MSN, MEd, NCSN; Patricia Raymond, RN, MPH; Judith Russell, BSN, CSNT; Midge Sabatini, RN, MS, EdD; and Rhonda Sexton, RN, MEd, CSNT for their continued support, guidance, and contributions during the development process of this manual.
Click hereto download a desktop version or to print a copy of the RI School Health Manual Model Guidelines.
Student health and dental cards with instructions are available at the following links:
For additional information and for RI school nurse teacher access to the online reporting form, see Oral Health Information for Teachers & Schools.
RI Department of Education
401-222-8951
s.phanthavong@health.ri.gov
RI Department of Health
401-222-5984
Linda Mendonca, DNP,RN, PHNA-BC,NCSN, FNASN, State School Nurse Consultant, RI Department of Health, linda.mendonca@health.ri.gov