Bacterial Meningitis: 

In the 86^th Legislature, HB 3884 required DSHS to create procedures for school districts to provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to students and parents. DSHS shall prescribe the form and content of the information. School districts should provide the information below on the district website or provide a link to this page on the district website. For school districts that do not maintain a website, the information should be provided in hard copy to each student. Information school districts are to provide: Download this information as a .pdf: BACTERIAL MENINGITIS / MENINGITIS BACTERIANA.

Bleeding Control Training: 

The Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.030, as added by House Bill (HB) 496, 86th Texas Legislature, requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve training for the use of a bleeding control station in the event of an injury to another person.

The following list of bleeding control training programs meet all requirements outlined in statute:

American College of Surgeons
Stop the Bleed
https://www.bleedingcontrol.org/
Cost: Free 

Con10gency Consulting
Bleeding Control Basics
info@con10gency.com
1(855) 590-4065
www.con10gency.com
Cost: From $0-$500

Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (WCEMS)
WCEMS Hemorrhage Control
https://www.wilco.org/Departments/EMS/Public-Education/Stop-The-Bleed
Cost: Free

Additionally, TEC, §38.030, requires each school district and open-enrollment charter school to develop a protocol for school employees to follow in the event of a traumatic injury. This protocol must require that the following personnel complete the state-approved training in the use of a bleeding control station: each school district peace officer commissioned under TEC, §37.081; each school security personnel employed under TEC, §37.081, who provides security services at a campus; each school resource officer who provides law enforcement at a campus; and all other district or school personnel who may reasonably be expected to use a bleeding control station.

The traumatic injury response protocol must also require each school district and open-enrollment charter school to annually offer instruction on the use of a bleeding control station to students enrolled at the campus in Grade 7 or higher. The instruction must be provided by a school resource officer or other appropriate district or school personnel who has received the state-approved training.

Bloodborne Pathogens  

• DSHS Bloodborne Pathogens

Bullying

• Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms  - This training toolkit is made up of two modules that address bullying in classrooms. Specifically, it is designed for trainers to assist teachers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate in the classroom.
• Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment on Our Nation's School Buses - This training toolkit is made up of two modules that address bullying on school buses. Specifically, it is designed for trainers to assist school bus drivers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate on the school bus.
• CDC Bullying Fact Sheet
• It Gets Better

Bullying Prevention

The Texas legislature has addressed the need for districts to develop anti-bullying policies and interventions. This toolkit lists resources to help develop anti-bullying policies and interventions shown to work.
• Introduction for the Bullying Prevention Toolkit (9.2018)
• Bullying Prevention Websites and Resources - Digest 
• Bullying Prevention Websites and Resources - Annotated (Revised 4.23.18)
• Sample Resolution:  SHAC Recommendation Against Bullying in Texas Public Schools (4.2018)Bullying threatens the health, safety, and education of students.[i] Data from the 2017 Texas High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated19 percent of high school students in Texas were bullied at school during the previous year; 14 percent were victims of cyber-bullying.[ii] The Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) developed a Bullying Prevention Toolkit to assist district School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs) and schools in identifying resources to assist in their local efforts to prevent bullying. Additional resources on the prevention of, identification of, responses to, and reporting of incidents of bullying and the connection between bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment can be found at the Texas School Safety Center website.

• Children's Miracle Network
• M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• St. Jude's Research Hospital 

   

  Child Abuse Prevention Information

• Child Abuse Prevention an Overview (TEA) As mandated reporters, educators and other school staff must remain informed on the topic of child abuse. School personnel represent the largest professional resource for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in Texas. Education leaders can promote awareness of Texas laws and the safety of Texas students by developing effective reporting policies, programs, and employee training.

   

• Recognition of Maltreatment of Children and Child Abuse Reporting Training: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) provides online training and printed certificates:http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Training/Reporting/default.asp

Communicable Disease Chart (also see Diseases/Conditions)

• Texas Administrative Code RULE §97.7:  Diseases Requiring Exclusion from Schools

• Communicable Disease Chart and Notes for Schools and Child-Care Centers
  

CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation)

• American Heart Association  For CPR classes at BSA Hospital Education Center call (806) 212-2000

• American Red Cross  For CPR classes call (806) 376-6309

Concussions in Schools:  

TEC §38.153 Oversight Of Concussions By School Districts And Charter Schools; Return-To-Play Protocol Development By Concussion Oversight Team

TEC §38.154 Concussion Oversight Team: Membership

TEC §38.155 Required Annual Form Acknowledging Concussion Information

TEC §38.156 Removal From Play In Practice Or Competition Following Concussion

TEC §38.157 Return To Play In Practice Or Competition

TEC §38.158 Training Courses

Continuing Education 

• At-Risk Training (Kognito)
• Dating Violence (CDC)
• National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Nurse Oncology Education Program  
• Texas Health Steps (Free CEs for Nurses)

Coordinated School Health

• Centers for Disease Control CSH
• DSHS Coordinated School Health website and Coordinated School Health Guide
• School Health Index (CDC)    
• Coordinated School Health Program (Texas Education Agency)
• TEA Approved Coordinated School Health Programs (Texas Education Agency)

Dating Violence

• Teen Dating Violence
  

Dental

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD)
• DSHS Oral Health
• ASDTT Injury Prevention
• CDC My Water's Fluoride (Texas Counties)

Disaster Publications

• After the Storm 
• FEMA    
• Preparing for Disaster - EnglishSpanish
• Red Cross
  

 
Diseases/Conditions

         Asthma

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

  Diabetes

• Texas Diabetes Council

  Ear Infections

• DSHS Hearing Program

  Head Lice

• Managing Head Lice in the School Setting and at Home (DSHS)

  HIV, STDs and STIs

• CDC STD Information (CDC)

  Infections, Diseases and Conditions

• CDC A to Z Index  

• CDC A to Z  Diseases and Conditions

• CDC Diseases Related to Travel   

• CDC Yellow Book

  Rabies

• DSHS Rabies

  Seizures/Epilepsy

• CDC Seizures/Epilepsy

Eating Disorders

• Kids and Eating Disorders for Parents; Teens

Emergency Guidelines for Schools (This document is a resource for schools to add their local emergency procedures.)

• Emergency Guidelines for Schools

Emergency Preparedness

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

• Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI) Also known as FitnessGram    
• Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TAHPERD) 

 
Food Allergies

• Allergy Ready:  Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Education (CARE Course--free training for school staff)
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Food Allergy Awareness - poster (FAAN)
• Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (FARE)
• Food Allergy Action Plan/Emergency Action Plan SPANISH (FAAN)  
• Food Allergy Bullying:  It’s Not a Joke (FARE)
• Food Allergy PowerPoint Presentation for Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Adults and Grandparents
• Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
• How To Read a Food Label (FARE)
• Just for Kids (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network—FAAN) for Mummies and Mummies To Be
• Managing Food Allergies in the School Setting:  Guidance for Parents (FARE)
• Managing Students with Food Allergies During a Shelter-In-Place Emergency (FARE)
• NASN Online Food Allergy Toolkit
• Teacher Checklist for Managing Food Allergies (FARE)
• Texas Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis  In response to the increase in students with diagnosed food allergies at-risk for anaphylaxis, Senate Bill 27 (2011, 82^nd Legislative Session) amends Chapter 38 of the Texas Education Code by adding Section 38.0151. This section requires the Board of Trustees of each school district and the governing body or appropriate officers of open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with diagnosed food allergy at risk for anaphylaxis.  This document is intended to serve as a reference and illustrative guide for local school boards or charter school leadership to utilize in creating and implementing school district policies and administrative regulations. Any portion of this document may be reproduced for educational purposes or policy development. 
• Wheat and Gluten Allergies (USDA)

Headache (Post-traumatic)

• Post-traumatic HEADACHE Infographic 

Hearing

Hearing Screening  To schedule a training, contact Claudia Bourland in the Lubbock Regional DSHS office at (806) 783-6490 or claudia.bourland@dshs.texas.gov

Health Careers and Education

• Panhandle Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

Healthy Life Style

• Let's Move

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

• DSHS HIPAA

Homeless

• McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

Immunizations

• Texas School and Daycare Immunization Requirements
• 2019-2020 Texas State Minimum Vaccine Requirements for Schools
• 2018-2019 Texas State Minimum Vaccine Requirements for Child Care Facilities
• DSHS Literature & Forms Online Order Form
• City of Amarillo, Public Health

Internet Safety

• A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety (FBI)
• Basic Internet Safety (NetSmartz)
• Internet Safety (KidsHealth)

Lice 

 Mental Health 

Best Practice Resources For Schools (TEA):

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) coordinate with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Education Service Centers (ESCs) annually to update a list of recommended best-practice programs, and research-based practices, for public school implementation. These lists include important practices and programs for school leaders to consider for implementation to support academic achievement.

General Information  is provided here on the statutes addressed by the Best Practice Resources and the process used to develop the list. The Suicide Prevention Webpage contains additional information, guidance and the approved training programs for required suicide prevention:

• Early Mental Health Intervention 
• Mental Health Promotion 
• Substance Abuse Prevention 
• Substance Abuse Intervention 
• Suicide Prevention  
• Grief Informed and Trauma Informed Practices 
• Building Skills Related to Managing Emotions, Establishing and Maintaining Positive Relationships, and Responsible Decision-Making 
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Positive Youth Development 
• Safe and Supportive School Climate 
• Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) Resources  (This page provides specific information to meet statutory requirements for Educator Preparation Programs.)

Mental Health Hotlines and Links to Mental/Behavioral Health Supports in Texas (TEA):

• MentalHealthTX.Org
• Texas Behavioral Health Resource Guide for School-Aged Children
• Hurricane Harvey Recovery: Mental Health Resources for Schools 

Migraine

• General Migraine Information

• Pediatric Migraine Information

• Post-Traumatic Headache

Novel Coronavirus 2019

CDC Health Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus

• Childhood Obesity Facts (CDC)

p.a.p.a. Training (Paternity and Parenting Awareness)        

• p.a.p.a. Training--Texas Office of the Attorney General

• Recommendations and Research on Physical Education  (Texas-SHAC)

   
Records Retention
       

• Retention Schedule

Required Screenings

• Required Screenings, Vision and Hearing (DSHS)
• Required Screenings, Spinal (DSHS)

              Vision
                        Vision Screening  To schedule a training, contact Claudia Bourland in the Lubbock Regional DSHS office at (806) 783-6490 or claudia.bourland@dshs.texas.gov

Safety

• Texas School Safety Center

• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

School Based Health Centers 

•  School Based Health Center Program

School Health

•  DSHS School Health Program
• National Association of School Nurses
• Texas School Nurse Organization

School Health Advisory Council’s (SHAC’s)  

• DSHS School Health Advisory Councils 
• SHAC Guide

School Nurse Information

• Definition of a School Nurse (Texas Administrative Code)

• Texas DSHS School Nurse Consultant:  Anita Wheeler-Hill 1-888-963-7111 ext. 2909 or anita.wheeler@dshs.state.tx.us
• Texas Guide to School Health Services

Seizure Recognition and Related First Aid Programs :  

The Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.033, as added by House Bill (HB) 684, 86th Texas Legislature, permits the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve an online course of instruction for seizure recognition and related first aid provided by a nonprofit national foundation that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders. School nurses employed by a school district and school district employees whose duties include regular contact with students are required to complete the online course of instruction.

The following list of online courses meet all requirements outlined in statute:

The Epilepsy Foundation (https://www.epilepsy.com/)

Managing Students with Seizures: The Importance of School Nurses
https://learn.epilepsy.com/class/85211/MSWS2017  
Cost: Free

Seizure Training for School Personnel
https://learn.epilepsy.com/class/86831/seizure-training-school-personnel
Cost: Free

Suicide Prevention

• Texas Panhandle Suicide Prevention Coalition

House Bill (HB) 2186, which was passed by the 84th Texas Legislature, 2015, and signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 19, 2015, requires suicide prevention training to all new school district and open-enrollment charter school educators annually and to existing school district and open-enrollment charter school educators on a schedule adopted by the TEA by rule. Training must be selected from the list of recommended best practice-based programs that is provided by the DSHS. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may also select programs through an independent review of online suicide prevention training materials that comply with the guidelines (PDF, 84KB) developed by the TEA. More information about this training is included in this correspondence (PDF, 131KB). If you have further questions regarding this training, please contact Victoria Ellis in the Division of Educator Preparation by email at victoria.ellis@tea.texas.gov or by telephone at (512) 936-8400, Option 5.

ASK about Suicide to Save a Life Gatekeeper Training
ASK about Suicide to Save a Life is a gatekeeper training that can be modified between 1-3 hours, based on the needs of the trainees. It is similar to Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) and is a best practice training that was developed in Texas, with Texas specific data, resources and information. Participants have opportunities to learn the warning signs, protective and risk factors about suicide. They will learn how to ask people directly about suicidal thoughts and behaviors and how to refer them to appropriate help. There are trainings offered across Texas, as well as an online video of two ASK Master Trainers teaching a sample course for an hour. There are also accompanying power point presentation materials.

At-Risk (Kognito)
At-Risk is a one hour online training for Elementary, Middle School, and High School educators. This online, interactive professional development program uses virtual role-play to help school faculty, staff, and administrators learn common signs of psychological distress and how to approach an at-risk student for referral to the school counselor.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
ASIST is founded on the principle that everyone can make a difference in preventing suicide. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

Model Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program (MASPP)
The Model Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program (MASPP) is a public health-oriented suicidal-behavior prevention and intervention program originally developed for a small American Indian tribe in rural New Mexico to target high rates of suicide among its adolescents and young adults.

Olweus Bullying Program*
Olweus Bullying Program utilizes online courses, web conferences and in-person program implementation seminars. These interactive programs provide key information about bullying, cyber bullying, and dating violence, and explain how schools, community organizations, and parents can create safe, healthy environments.

Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL)*
Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) is a peer helping program that seeks to build resiliency in youth by pairing youth with peer helpers who receive training and support from teachers participating in the program.

Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training
QPR Gatekeeper Training is three steps that anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives.

safeTALK
safeTALK is a 4-hour gatekeeper training and excellent tool for people who want to become alert to the dangers of suicide in a convenient timeframe. Although formal caregivers such as social workers and counselors employ safeTALK skills, the program is also used by students, teachers, community volunteers, first responders, military personnel, police, public and private employees, and professional athletes– among many others. By providing a universal model with adaptable components, safeTALK offers useful skills to every audience.

SOS Signs of Suicide
SOS Signs of Suicide is a secondary school-based suicide prevention program that includes screening and education. Students are screened for depression and suicide risk and referred for professional help as indicated.

Texas Administrative Code                

• Texas Administrative Code      

Texas Education Agency       

• Texas Education Agency

Texas Legislature On-Line

• Texas Legislature On-Line

Texas DSHS School Nurse Consultant

• Nurse Consultant  Anita Wheeler-Hill 1-888-963-7111 ext. 2909 or anita.wheeler@dshs.state.tx.us

Tobacco Prevention

• Texas Tobacco Laws Toolkit

University Interscholastic League (UIL)

• UIL

Unlicensed Diabetic Care Assistant (UDCA)                

Diabetes Information:  Guidelines for Training School Employees Who Are Not Licensed Healthcare Professionals  Chapter 168 of the Health and Safety Code relates to the care of students with diabetes in schools. House Bill 984 (79R) requires that principals identify unlicensed personnel to assist with caring for students during the regular school day or while participating in a school activity. The Texas Diabetes Council (TDC) develops guidelines for training school personnel to be diabetes care assistants.  Guidelines for Training School Employees who are not Licensed Healthcare Professionals to implement House Bill 984 (79th Legislature) related to the Care of Elementary and Secondary School Students with diabetes  Frequently Asked Questions related to implementing House Bill (HB) 984      (In the process of being updated as of December 2019)