Definitions & Acronyms

5

504 plan

A legal document that protects individuals with disabilities and addresses disabilities that limit 1 or more major life activities. This plan is often written in lay language by a Section 504 plan coordinator for the school district in collaboration with parent, school nurse, and specialized instructional support personnel.


A

AAP

American Academy of Pediatrics

A national organization of pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists founded in 1930 and dedicated to the improvement of child, adolescent, and young adult health and welfare.


B

Best practice

Practices informed by available evidence, expert opinion, and professional standards of care, including state and national guidelines.

Best Practices

Practices informed by available evidence, expert opinion, and professional standards of care, including state and national guidelines.


C

Case Management

Assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, and evaluation to meet an individual’s health needs.

Chronic Absenteeism

Missing 10 percent or more of school days in a school year.

Consultant

An individual or organization that provides professional advice on a temporary or asneeded basis, usually for a fee.

Counseling

The provision of information and/or other interventions to effect behavior change.

Care Coordination

The oversight and alignment of multiple evidence-based components and interventions that support the health and well-being of students with chronic health conditions,advance agreed-upon student- and family-centered outcomes, and support academic success. Typically led by the school nurse, ideally in coordination with the student’s health care provider(s).

Consultants

An individual or organization that provides professional advice on a temporary or asneeded basis, usually for a fee.

Chronic conditions

Conditions persisting over a period of time that require health care and/or limit activities of daily living. Includes, but not limited to, the following:

Community leaders

Leaders of organizations and agencies that are invested in children’s health and academic success, including leaders of health care institutions, public health and education agencies, insurers, community/social service organizations, and local businesses

Community partners

Organizations and agencies that are invested in children’s health and academic success,including primary, specialty, and dental care providers; hospitals and health care systems; public health and education agencies; insurers; and community/social service organizations.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency measures performed by a person on another person whose breathing or heart activity has stopped. Measures include closed chest cardiac compressions in a regular sequence.


D

Disaster

A natural, man-made, or technological event causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, injury/illness, hardship, or drastic change to the environment.

District Employee

Individual who performs services for the district and for whom the district has the right to control what and how work is carried out.

Disasters

Natural, man-made, or technological events causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, injury/illness, hardship, or drastic change to the environment.

District Employees

Individuals that perform services for the district and for whom the district has the right to control what and how work is carried out.

Dental sealant

Clear protective coatings that cover tooth surfaces and prevent bacteria and food particles from settling into the pits and grooves. Dental sealants are usually applied after a child reaches 6 years of age when the first permanent molars come in. Dental sealants last for 4-5 years and can be reapplied when they wear off. Applications of sealants may be accompanied by application of fluoride varnish that hardens the enamel and reduces dental caries.

data-driven decision making

Uses information that has been gathered, modeled, and analyzed to gain an understanding of specific challenges and to support effective solutions.


E

Emergency

A situation that poses an immediate threat to health or life.

Emergencies

 Situations that poses an immediate threat to health or life.

evidence-based practices

The integration of clinical expertise, patient values and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient care

Emergency care plan

 may also be referred to as an emergency action plan.

A plan provided by the school nurse to guide school staff to make appropriate responses for students at risk of a life-threatening health crisis.

Components of the plan may include: demographic/identifying information, signs and symptoms, staff members instructed, treatment, transportation plan, signatures, and time frame.


F

Follow-up

Steps taken to encourage a student and/or their family to act on a referral and/or to obtain information regarding the results of the referral visit.

Family

The individuals responsible for and involved with a child’s care. Includes biological, adoptive, and foster parents and siblings; legal guardians; and other caregivers that are bonded to the child through ties of blood, marriage, love, and/or common residence.

FERPA

A federal law that protects the privacy of educational records. It applies to all educational agencies and institutions that receive federal funds from the US Department of Education, including public elementary and secondary schools. Private and religious schools are often exempt from FERPA.

Fluoride varnish

A topical fluoride product applied to teeth by dental and medical professionals that prevents early childhood caries.

Family-school-community Partnership

Family-school-community partnerships are a shared responsibility and reciprocal process whereby schools and other community agencies and organizations engage families in meaningful and culturally appropriate ways, and families take initiative to actively support their children's development and learning.


G

Gender affirming

A nonjudgmental approach to care that helps children/adolescents feel safe in a society that too often marginalizes or stigmatizes those seen as different.

The gender-affirming model strengthens family resiliency and takes the emphasis off heightened concerns over gender while allowing children the freedom to focus on academics, relationship-building and other typical developmental tasks.

gender identity

Knowing and feeling that you're a boy, a girl, both, or neither (no matter what genitals you have)


H

Health Counseling

The provision of health information and/or other interventions to effect behavior change in order to improve the health of an individual.

Health Information Outreach

The provision of information on health topics to groups of individuals through written materials (e.g., newsletters, flyers, brochures, emails etc.), oral presentations (e.g., student assemblies, announcements, parent information sessions), or other formats (e.g. websites, social media).

Health Services Staff

Staff responsible for providing services to appraise, protect, and promote student health, including school nurses, health room aids, and other extenders.

HIPAA

The HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to health plans, health care providers, and others that transmit health information in electronic form. The purpose is to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ protected health information (PHI) through safeguards that govern the use and disclosure of such information.

Health Care Provider

A healthcare provider is a person or company that provides a healthcare service to you. In other words, your healthcare provider takes care of you.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

Affects the body in a variety of ways. In the most severe infections, the virus progressively destroys the body's immune system, causing a condition called AIDS (acquired immunodefiency syndrome).


I

Individualized health care plans (IHCP)

A document that provides a comprehensive assessment of a student’s health care needs and outlines a management plan to care for a student’s health in the school setting. The need for an IHCP is determined by the school nurse and based on required nursing care rather than educational entitlements that include special education or the accommodations of a Section 504 plan. The components of a quality care plan include:

IHCP

Individualized Health Care Plan- the document that provides a comprehensive assessment of a student's health care needs and outlines a management plan to care for a student's health in the school setting.

IEP

Individualized Education Program:
A written document, derived from Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, that is designed to meet a child's individual educational program needs. The main purposes of an IEP are to set reasonable learning goals and state the services that the school district will provide for a child with special educational needs. Every child who is qualified for special education services provided by the school is required to have an IEP.
.


M

Medical Sponsor

Entity that provides oversight for the administration and operation of the school based health center.

Medication Stock

Supply of medication that is purchased, owned, and controlled by the district.

Medically Fragile

A child with a chronic physical condition which results in a prolonged dependency on medical care for which daily skilled nursing intervention is medically necessary.

Medical Sponsors

Entities that provides oversight for the administration and operation of the school based health center.

Monitoring outbreaks

Collaboration between the school and/or district with the Epidemiology team of the Department of Health at the state and/or local level to determine if an outbreak has occurred. If a classroom has 3 or more students with a diagnosed or suspected infectious disease that information should be submitted to the Epidemiology team for further investigation.

Mental health professional

School district employed psychologists, counselors, and/or social workers.

Management

Managing the symptoms of a long-term disease.

medications

Any substances that are intended in diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease or that affect the structure or function of the body of humans

Medicaid

A program that provides medical assistance for individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The program became a law in 1965 as a jointly funded cooperative venture between federal and state governments to assist states in the provision of adequate medical care to eligible needy persons.

Medical home

An approach to providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnerships between patients, clinicians, medical staff, and families.

medication

Any substance that is intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease or that affect the structure or function of the body of humans


N

Nurse

Individual who is licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Advanced Practice Nurse.

Nurses

Individuals that are licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Advanced Practice Nurse.


o

outcome monitoring

Can be used to track the performance of key policies, practices, and programs over time— measuring short- or long-term outcomes—and can be particularly useful in detecting areas where performance is below acceptable standards, as well as whether things are improving or getting worse


P

Physician

Individual with a completed Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree who carries a license to practice medicine.

Policy

A general principle, guide for decision-making, or rule that has been adopted by the board of education. Typically a broad outline of what should be done. Legally-binding.  May include protocols/procedures.

Protocol/Procedure

Procedural statement, typically developed by health services leadership, that includes specific and detailed instructions on how to do something. Provides formal direction as to how a policy will be implemented and includes a sequence of steps to be followed. May be included as part of a policy statement.

Psychosocial

Pertaining to mental, emotional, and/or social health.

Physicians

Individuals who have completed a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree who carry a license to practice medicine.

Policies

General principles, guides for decision-making, or rules adopted by the board of education. Typically a broad outline of what should be done. Legally-binding.  May include protocols/procedures.

Protocol/ Procedures

Procedural statements, typically developed by health services leadership, that include specific and detailed instructions on how to do something. They provide formal direction as to how policies will be implemented and include a sequence of steps to be followed. May be included as part of a policy statements.

Policymaker

Individual charged with making rules, regulations, and/or policies at any level, from state and federal legislators to local school board members

Primary Care Provider

A physician (eg, pediatrician) or nurse practitioner in the child's medical home who provides preventive care, routine illness care, and care coordination with a child's specialists and therapists.

PrEP

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Professional development

A continuum of learning and support opportunities designed to improve the individuals' ability to work with and on behalf of young children and their families

preventive services

Routine health care that includes screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems.


R

Referral

A recommendation to receive a service or visit a health professional.  In some districts, the word recommendation should be used in lieu of the word referral in order to avoid financial liability.

Referrals

Recommendations to receive a service or visit a health professional.  In some districts, recommendations should be used in lieu of the word referral in order to avoid financial liability.


S

School-Based Health Center (SBHC)

A health center located in a school or on school grounds that provides a comprehensive range of clinical services through qualified health providers to meet the physical and behavioral health needs of students. Typically sponsored by a hospital, health department, federally qualified health center, or medical practice.

School Health Services

Services provided by school district employees and/or contracted providers to assess, protect, and promote student health, with a primary focus on removing health-related barriers to education. Typically led by school nurse(s). May include other health and surveillance activities conducted in collaboration with outside providers such as oral health programs and school-based health centers

School-Linked Health Center

Similar to a school-based health center, but located off school grounds, and typically offering extended hours and a broader scope of services.

Screening

Population-based activity used to detect disease or disorder in individuals who do not necessarily exhibit signs or symptoms.

Sexual Health

State of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and relationships and the possibility of safe sexual experiences free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.

SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- food stamps.

STI Testing

Testing for sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HSV, and /or HPV for students at risk and/or exhibiting signs or symptoms.

SBHC

School-based health center: A health center located in a school or on school grounds that provides a comprehensive range of clinical services through qualified health providers to meet the physical and behavioral health needs of students. Typically sponsored by a hospital, health department, federally qualified health center, or medical practice.

SLHC

School-linked health center: Similar to a school-based health center, but located off school grounds, and typically offering extended hours and a broader scope of services.

SBHCs

School-based health centers: Health centers located in a school or on school grounds that provide a comprehensive range of clinical services through qualified health providers to meet the physical and behavioral health needs of students. Typically sponsored by a hospital, health department, federally qualified health center, or medical practice.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

Health centers located in a school or on school grounds that provide a comprehensive range of clinical services through qualified health providers to meet the physical and behavioral health needs of students. Typically sponsored by a hospital, health department, federally qualified health center, or medical practice.

School-Linked Health Centers

Similar to a school-based health center, but located off school grounds, and typically offering extended hours and a broader scope of services.

Screenings

Population-based activities used to detect disease or disorder in individuals who do not necessarily exhibit signs or symptoms.

SLHCs

School-linked health centers: Similar to school-based health centers, but located off school grounds, and typically offering extended hours and a broader scope of services.

school

PreK-12 United States educational institution. 

school districts

Group of public schools that are operated by a common governing agency (typically known as a school board).

School health team

Individuals within a school and/or district responsible for collaboratively managing and supporting children’s physical, emotional, and social health needs, including a school nurse.

School leaders

School administrators (e.g., superintendents, principals, vice principals), school board members, and disciplinary leads (e.g., lead school nurse, department heads)

school nurse

Nurse who provides school health services available to all students in a school setting and, if applicable, is licensed and qualified as a school nurse under state regulations. Recommended to be a registered professional nurse with at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

school stakeholders

Those working directly with children in schools (e.g., school staff, leaders, volunteers, parents, and contracted or co-located providers) as well as community partners that are invested in children’s health and academic success (e.g., health providers, public health and education agencies, community and social service organizations, and insurers).

school nurse consultant

A specialist in school nursing practice who works with local educational agencies (LEAs) which may include private, parochial, and/or charter schools. School nurse consultants work with schools and school nurses to promote quality school nursing services and school health programs that address the broad health needs of all students and the school community.

Source: NASSNC Position Statement, State School Nurse Consultant Role


T

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families- cash assistance for families with children under age 18.

Teams-based approach

A delivery model where patient care needs are addressed as coordinated efforts among multiple health care providers and across settings of careMay include, parent, teacher, student, nurse, guidance counselor, department of health, etc.


U

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel/Delegate

An individual who is trained to function in an assistive role in the provision of delegated patient/client activities. Policies vary by state. May include certified nurse assistants, patient care assistants, technicians, nurse’s aides, nurse extenders, personal care workers, etc.

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel/Delegates

Individuals that are trained to function in an assistive role in the provision of delegated patient/client activities. Policies vary by state. May include certified nurse assistants, patient care assistants, technicians, nurse’s aides, nurse extenders, personal care workers, etc.

Unlicensed assistive personnel

Persons who do not hold licensure that are trained by a Registered Nurse to assist delegated tasks and activities in the school health clinic.

UAPs

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel-
School personnel who do not hold a healthcare license but are trained to provide care to students under the direction and supervision of a school nurse.


Y

Your state

state agency, statewide organization, or collaborating partner serving districts statewide