School Health Program
Healthy, safe and ready to learn
Objective
To improve educational outcomes by reducing student absenteeism through nursing resources that manage acute illness, injury and chronic health conditions. Short- and medium-term goals target chronic absenteeism and reading readiness. Long-term goals include improving rates of graduation, workplace readiness and college entry.
Program service model
Registered nurses (RN) educate and train school personnel (building support staff, paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, etc.) who provide daily direct services to students. Dependent upon location and need, consultative access to an RN may occur on-site, by phone and/or through virtual connectivity.
Virtual support for students at school
When a student gets sick, injured or has chronic health care needs at school, it can be stressful, especially if medical treatment is not directly available. With the school health program and use of telemedicine technology, the student can be seen by an RN via video visit for rashes, minor injuries or illnesses.
Impact
- Provide access to nearly 40,000 students in West Michigan
- Fiscal year 2018 included 5,641 interactions between health providers, students and staff
- Staff trainings included; 264 staff on medication administration, 100 staff on chronic disease, 205 staff on emergency response
Contact us
Spectrum Health School Health Program
665 Seward Avenue NW, Suite 110
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.391.3309
Healthier Communities School Health Program
Healthy, Safe, and Ready to Learn