Re: Agenda 15D38 p.158

Our city is a small inner urban city that is highly populated with a diverse Hispanic population. Many of our students are port of entry from other countries and therefore do not immediately qualify for state health insurance. In the past a large volume of these students would be excluded from school because of deficient immunization status, lack of proof of physical exam within the year and or the need for a provider to initiate an individual health plan that would accommodate any chronic medical conditions that they may have. In order to receive health services at our local federally funded clinic they must first apply for charity care before services can be rendered, however there are fees involved with services. At one point our past supervisor initiated a plan to accommodate the needs of our students. The JRMC was contracted to come into our schools and provide these services at an agreed fee. This plan was in place however it failed to provide due to the high volume of cancellations to service the schools on scheduled appointment. We knew the need was there so we initiated the plan to facilitate our own school community clinic. The PAPS HC has been in existence since March 2006. The services at the PAPS Health center have been facilitated by our Nurse practitioners in collaboration with our school medical director. Nurse Practitioners are advance practice nurses who provide the very same services as that of a physician. We can diagnose, develop a treatment plan, prescribe medication, refer for lab screening and diagnostic testing and refer out to specialist for consultations. At our HC our nurse practitioners provide our students with

1. primary health services and free vaccines to our uninsured students age 3-18 year

2. Diagnosis and treatment for acute illnesses and injuries

3. Free medication for common pediatric illness

4. Assistance with the establishment of a Medical Home once they qualify for insurance

5. The development of a Health Plan that will be accommodate their chronic health needs in school such as AAP

6. Ongoing health education and counseling to parents and students

7. Sports physicals and working papers.

Our free vaccines are supplied by the VFC under my application for a provider number. We receive monthly supplies for our clinic and as a result have been able to keep our student in compliance with state mandates. And as a result, our exclusion rate has been at its lowest and our compliance rate has been at it highest. This year alone we received 99,000 dollars in free vaccines.

It’s because of our RX Privileges that I was also able to register with Epi 4 School and receive 20,000 free Epifen for the district as well as any other salary reductions that involve the facilitator of our clinic. The clinic hours are 3 clays a week- for a total of 10 hours a week – Our schedule appointments are fully booked accommodating approximately 50 students per week as well as walk INS.

Without the existence of our health center our students as well as parents would be at a great loss. Please reconsider Agenda Item number 15-0-38. In order to service our student academic needs, their health needs must also be addressed as high priority as well.