School Health Services
Health services and school nurses are an integral part of the school, ensuring the health and safety of students and staff. The health needs of students today have increased in scope and complexity. The information on this page is intended to assist health professionals and schools in providing health services in the school setting.
Please see the NYS Center for School Health
for a multitude of resources related to school health.
Updates and New Information:
New York State Guide for Asthma Managment in Schools (
10 MB) - September 5, 2018
New NYS School Health Examination Form Implementation Year (
82 KB) - August 23 2018
Mental Health Education in Schools access resources for pupil personnel services staff to utilize in assist health educators in supporting a comprehensive approach to mental health well-being in NYS schools. - July 2018
Research has shown that the quality of the school climate may be the single most predictive factor in any school’s capacity to promote student achievement. When young people are learn about mental health, the likelihood increases they will be able to effectively recognize signs and symptoms in themselves and others and will know where to turn for help. Access resources for all school staff to assist in supporting a comprehensive approach to mental health well-being in NYS schools.
Tick and Tick-Borne Disease: Education in Schools - May 22, 2018
Updated Immunization Guidelines - May 2018 (
332 KB)
Updated Recommended Sample Dental Certificate - May 2018 (
28 KB)
Updated School Health Examination Guidelines - May 2018 ( 676 KB)
Required NYS School Health Examination Form ( 976 KB) - May 2018
Sample Recommended NYSED Interval Health History for Athletics ( 928 KB) - May 2018
Feminine Hygiene Products in Schools ( 118 KB) - April 2018
Updated Hearing Screening Guidelines - May, 2018 ( 272 KB)
Updated School Scoliosis Screening Guidelines - May, 2018 ( 236 KB)
Updated Vision Screening Guidelines - May 2018 ( 249 KB)
New York State Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Educational Resource - April 2018
Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED)
All you ever wanted to know about AEDs
Dental Certificates
Clarifying Information on Dental Certificates for Students Entering School: Effective September 1, 2008
Recommended Sample Dental Certificate ( 28 KB)
List of dental providers offering free or reduced care
FERPA
Family
Education Rights & Privacy Act - Federal Law
Guidelines
Athletic Placement Process (
766 KB) Updated December 2017
Blood Borne Pathogens in Classrooms ( 199KB)
Caring for Students With Life Threatening Allergies ( 2.34 MB)
Concussion Management Guidelines ( 545 KB, updated June 2018), based on the Concussion Management and Awareness Act effective July 1, 2012
Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools, Revised December, 2017 ( 729 KB)
Guidelines for Supporting Toilet Learning - March 2016 ( 53 KB)
Hearing Screening Guidelines - Updated May, 2018 ( 272 KB)
Information Regarding Sports Physicals - December 2000 ( 99 KB)
Information Regarding the Use of Sunscreen ( 479.20 KB)
- FDA Approved Sunscreen Drug Products
- FDA Approved Sunscreen Labeling
- In cases where a student does not understand what sunscreen is used for, or is incapable of asking for assistance applying sunscreen, New York Law requires that a licensed health care practitioner (such as a nurse) apply sunscreen on the student pursuant to a medical provider order.
Parent/Guardian Notifications Regarding Student Illness or Injury ( 29 KB)
REVISED Memorandum for Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers in Schools ( 59.24 KB)
School Health Examination Guidelines - May 2018 ( 676 KB)
Required NYS School Health Examination Form ( 976 KB) - May 2018
Sample Recommended NYSED Interval Health History for Athletics ( 1 MB) - May 2018
School Scoliosis Screening Guidelines - Updated May, 2018 ( 236 KB)
Vision Screening Guidelines - Updated May 2018 ( 249 KB)
A joint Health
Advisory ( 66.82 KB) on MRSA by the New
York State Education Department and the New York State Department
of Health on MRSA and resources for schools.
SED and DOH joint memo on Measles ( 297KB) - 2/9/15
Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children (258KB) - 9/10/14
Influenza Guidance - February 2018
Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools, Revised December, 2017 ( 729 KB)
Resources for Schools on Trauma-Informed Care and Youth Witnessing a Suicide - January 2017 ( 273 KB)
Tuberculosis Tests and School Enrollment - January 2017 ( 263 KB )
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Joint
Guidance on the Application of the (FERPA) And (HIPAA) To Student
Health Records
Immunizations
Updated Immunization Guidelines - May 2018 ( 332 KB)
Memo Regarding Immunization Certificates for High School Graduates, 11/17/2011 ( 41.11 KB)
Refugee Immunization Guidelines ( 64.04 KB)
New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance
School District Procedures for Implementing Requests for Religious Exemption to Immunization. In order to encourage more consistent implementation of religious exemption requests in school districts throughout the State, SED has collaborated with the Department of Health and statewide educational, health, and labor organizations to develop three documents:
- request
form ( 72 KB) last updated 3/22/2016
- procedures ( 113
KB) last updated 3/22/2016
- guidance field memo
Informational Immunization Materials for Parents
Laws and Regulations
Medical & Health Service- Article 19
Commissioner's
Regulations CR 136.1 - Definitions of School Health Services and Personnel
Commissioner's
Regulations CR 136.2 - Duties of Schools to Provide Health Services
Commissioner's
Regulations CR 136.3 - School Health Services to be Provided (see above update)
Commissioner's Regulations CR 136.4 - On Site Cardiac Automated Defibrillators
Commissioner's Regulations CR 136.5 - Concussion Management and Awareness
Commissioner's Regulations CR 136.6 - Authorized Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injector
Commissioner's Regulations CR 136.7 - Self-administration of Certain Medications by Students
Commissioner's Regulations CR 136.8 - Opioid Overdose Prevention
Clarification of Student Pregnancy and Confidentiality
- Dear Colleague Letter: Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students, June 25, 2013
- Pamphlet: Supporting the Academic
Success of Pregnant
and Parenting Students, June 2013
Medicaid
Medicaid in Education Provider Policy and Billing Handbook
Medicaid in Education News and Announcements
Medications
Clarification on Insulin Pumps ( 27.53 KB)
Clarification on Medication Storage in Schools
( 9.68 KB)
New Policy for Stocking Albuterol Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) ( 33.50 KB)
Memo Regarding the NYSDOH Opioid Overdose Prevention Program ( 146 KB)
Blood
Glucose Monitoring - EMSC School Executive's Bulletin
(January 2001) ( 197.14 KB)
Administration of Medications to Students During School-Sponsored Events by Parent/Guardian Designee ( 21.03 KB)
Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools, Revised December, 2017 ( 729 KB)
Nonpublic Schools
Health Services for Pupils Attending Nonpublic Schools
- Information on MOUs for Health Services to Nonpublic Schools
- Commissioner's Student Health and Safety Conference for Nonpublic Schools - 11/4/13 Recap ( 11.82KB)
Nurses
January 2007 Memo Regarding Vagal Nerve Magnet Stimulators
Medication Administration by Unlicensed Persons
Board of Nursing (Office of Professions)
Provision of Nursing Tasks & Health-Related Activities in
the School Setting for Students with Special Health Care
Needs (March 1995) (836 KB)
Questions & Answers on The Provision of Nursing Tasks & Health-Related
Activities in the School Setting for Students with Special
Health Care Needs (March 1998) (692 KB)
Use of Licensed Practical Nurses and the Term “School Nurse” in School Settings
District Responsibilities in Hiring Self Employed Nurses ( 7.76 KB)
Substance Abuse
Resources to Combat Substance Abuse Among School-Aged Children, including Educational Resource Flash Drive Toolkit Available Free to Schools - April 2018
- Letter to Schools from Commissioners of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health, and Education Department
- Governor Cuomo's Press Release
Multi-Agency Commissioner's Letter Regarding Substance Abuse Prevention Resources - June 2016 ( 502 KB)
Expanded resources for Opioid Overdose Prevention are available on the NYS Center for School Health Website. Go to the A-Z Index and click on O for the Opioid Toolkit Page.