The Americans With Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAA), effective January 1, 2009, expanded the definition ofdisability. These changes in turn impact which students qualify for Section 504 plans in the school setting and will no doubt strain school resources as implementation of the law progresses. Therefore, it is essential that school nurses be well versed in the changes in order to continue to perform a lead role in advocating for students with disabilities in the school setting and to assist with Section 504 compliance.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been taxing to healthcare workers, no less for those serving on the front lines in schools. From initial school closures and online learning to gradual reopening with hybrid learning models, to full in-person learning, school nurse administrators provided guidance in collaboration with public health officials, based on evolving information. Infection control was at the forefront, while government and scientists partnered to quickly develop effective vaccines. Technology provided new virtual platforms for learning, conducting meetings, and socialization, while also being widely used to deliver information, misinformation, and disinformation. Challenges have been numerous, but school nurse administrators and school nurses in general, with a commitment to the health and safety of their populations, continue to adapt to the ever-changing demands. The journal’s Editorial Advisory Board interviewed five school nurse administrators, representative of diverse geographic locations, school population size, and employer models, to capture their reflections on school health leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. History is deserving of their stories.
Three types of documents and their frequently used acronyms play a vital role in ensuring that students with disabilities have the planning, services, and accommodations necessary to facilitate attendance and success in the school setting. Federal and state laws, as well as state nurse practice acts, govern the process and eligibility of students for these services. School nurses play a vital role in these processes, and new school nurses benefit from a comparison of the terms along with a historical explanation of the acronyms.
The following is an article and roundtable discussion on school nurse integration into immunization information systems. The discussion participants were April Bailey, Deputy Director, Immunization Division, Indiana State Department of Health; Thomas Maerz, Manager, Wisconsin Immunization Registry; Erin Seward, Immunization Program Manager, Nevada State Health Division; and Debra Warren, Project Manager, KSWebIZ, Kansas Immunization Program.
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