Health Services DAWSON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Dawson County School District is devoted to providing top-quality healthcare to every student, teacher, and staff member. Over the years, Dawson County Schools have developed and founded an exemplary Health Service Department that cares for the mental, physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of the community.

The health service team consists of a doctorally-prepared executive nurse leader, licensed and board-certified registered nurses in every school, and two certified nursing assistants serving in supportive roles.

The goal for students is that “every child that comes to school is healthy, safe, and ready to learn.”

To ensure that the goal is met, the clinical staff members abide by state and federal laws, Georgia’s Nurse Practice Act, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, emergency protocols written by licensed physicians, and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Framework for the 21st Century School Nursing Practice.

The NASN framework directs the team to use only evidence-based practice standards in everyday clinical practice, to be a medical liaison for healthcare coordination throughout our community, to advocate for each and every child, to continually monitor and improve care, to remain culturally competent, and to be aware of how social determinants of health may affect the healthcare outcomes.

The school nurse’s primary focus is the management of acute and chronic medical conditions and health-related issues, but they also serve in various vital roles throughout each year.

For example, last year (2022-2023), the Health Services Department:

• Documented almost 50,000 clinic visits, keeping 95% of the student at school and learning and sending only 5% home for an illness or injury-related reasons,

• Facilitated and conducted Mass Hearing and Vision Screenings,

• Facilitated and conducted Scoliosis Screening for all middle school students, with the partnership of the Dawson County Health Department,

• Facilitated and implemented School-Based Flu Vaccination Clinics for all students, teachers, and staff, with the partnership of the Dawson County Health Department,

• Facilitated and implemented School-Based Meningitis Vaccination Clinics for all rising 11th graders, with the partnership of the Dawson County Health Department,

• Facilitated and implemented a School-Based Dental Outreach Program providing preventative and restorative dental services to all students, with the partnership of the Help a Child Smile Bus,

• Supplied all schools with LifeVac Anti-Choking kits, and

• Supplied all schools with an all-new fleet of Zoll AEDs.

As we progress, the team will remain dedicated to continually improving our care and implementing the latest healthcare innovations to serve our community better. In this next school year, you can expect to see the continuation of the yearly health screenings, vaccination clinics, and dental outreach program provideded in the past.

But in order to improve quality and access to care, Dawson County Schools will be implementing telehealth services that will treat both mental and physical health needs. These services will be provided by licensed and board-certified healthcare professionals. Additionally, Dawson County Schools will be implementing the SNAP Health Parent Portal. The health portal will give all parents and guardians access to specific student’s clinic visits and medical records. The health portal will allow open communication with all Health Service Department team members, as well as improve continuity of care and enhance care management of all students. Please be on the lookout for information related to these services, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Director of Youth Health Services or the child’s school nurse.

Dawson County School District is and will always remain committed and devoted to providing the highest level of care to each student we serve and improving the health and wellbeing of the entire community.