SLIDE 12 Health Services Program Effectiveness/Cost Review
2015
Contextual The North Kitsap School District contracts through School Health Consultants Inc. for health
- services. NKSD entered into a three-year contract in the 2012-13 school year. There are a
total of at least four (4) Registered Nurses who provide the equivalent of 2.8 FTE of direct services to all enrolled students in the district. This includes the creation and implementation of all required student Health Care Plans, as well as supervision of medication administration to students by non-licensed school staff members. They also assist the district with developing medical response plans, first-aid/health policies and procedures, vision and hearing screening, immunization compliance and records training, and case management for referred students. Costs The Health Services program is paid from district funds. The total amount of the contract is $177,525/year. The amount is allocated through district funds that come from the state formula. The district also provides a budget for a part-time secretary, hearing screener, office and medical supplies, mailings, and technology support of approximately $30,000 in addition to the contracted amount. Health Conditions Approximately 40% of our students are affected by one or more health conditions that could potentially impact their education. Currently, in the NKSD we have a total of 506 care plans written for students with around 250 of them being life-threatening conditions (LTC). Examples
- f LTCs are severe allergies, asthma, heart conditions, cancer, and seizures. There has been a
17.5% increase in LTC’s in the last four (4) years even with a decline in student enrollment. Over half of the cases of LTC are due to severe allergies. The number of diabetic students in the district has remained fairly stable, but the care required during the school day has grown more complex. Several of the buildings have staff members who have volunteered to be a Parent-designated Adult for students and receive additional training from Certified Diabetic Educators so they can assist students with insulin injections and blood glucose testing which would normally require a licensed nurse to perform. Mental Health issues are another growing concern among our student population. The number
- f students with known mental health conditions has doubled in the last 4 years.
The Non-Life Threatening conditions, including; headaches, neurological issues, ADD/ADHD, hearing/vision loss, orthopeadic issues, skin issues, intestinal, allergies and other misc. diagnoses accounts for a 72% increase in the last 4 years. Our total number of care plans for students has increased 40% in the last 4 years. The care plans help us to direct any type of care needed, for any student, throughout the district. The parent, student, school administrator or designee, nurse, and health care provider all have a part in making sure the care plan is effective for the student and can be carried out within the building.
