We recognize and celebrate Our People: Our Strength by highlighting a specific #TeamJeffco team or department each month! Our goal is not only to celebrate the great work they do but make other employees aware of these departments and how they contribute to the overall success of our district. #JeffcoBetterTogether
April 2023 SPOTLIGHT:
Health SERVICES
Margaret Huffman, Director
How many employees are on your team?
Health Services is home to 68 district nurses/resource nurses, plus:
- Two Health Services Coordinators – Tonya Weaver and Tammy Jeffery
- Lead Technician – Brandy Schneider
- School Medicaid Coordinator – Michael McCoy
- Three Medicaid Technicians – Ashley McCarthy, Brittany Marinez and Andrea Davis
- Substance Use Prevention Coordinator – Sharon Hawkins
A Day in the Life - What types of projects does your team do daily?
School nurses are Special Service Providers with a license granted from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The qualifications for CDE licensure includes a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a license to practice nursing in the State of Colorado, and three years experience working in the specialized field of school nursing.
Each day, Jeffco district nurses lead and support:
- Management of students with chronic health conditions
- Coordination and collaboration with health aides, staff, parents and administrators on the development and monitoring of Individual Student Health Plans
- Promotion of health education and prevention in schools
- Management of communicable disease outbreaks in schools
- Coordination of immunization compliance according to district and state policy
- Assurance of the confidentiality of student health information
- Working with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure students are accessing their education
- Drug intervention support in schools
For students with chronic health conditions, school nurses play a large role in the daily management of their conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 25% of children in the United States aged 2-8 years of age have chronic health conditions such as asthma, obesity, other physical conditions and behavior and learning problems. The healthcare needs of children with chronic illness can be complex along the continuum of the educational experience and continuity of nursing care is crucial to the success of students.
What is your favorite team quote or mission?
The Health Services team supports the well-being and academic success of all students through health promotion, disease prevention, health care coordination and advocacy for the health and wellness of the whole child/teen.
What fun team hobby/outing does your team participate in?
Our Health Services team nominates and selects a colleague each spring to receive the Jeffco Nightingale Award. We seek to recognize one nurse who exemplifies the following:
- Dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of students
- Actively seeks to improve professional practice and nursing knowledge by pursuing professional development
- Shares information with peers and colleagues
- Creatively solutions-focused
- Curious, lifelong learner
- Empathetic
- Inclusively compassionate
- Holistic and systems approach oriented
The winner of this award is recognized in our department and throughout the district as a nurse leader and peer.
Share something you are most proud of when it comes to your team or share a proud moment about your team that happened recently.
Our department recently welcomed the District Substance Use Prevention Coordinator on our team. Sharon Hawkins joins the nurses in providing drug intervention support services and substance use prevention leadership to all staff across the district. We are equally proud of the work our dedicated School Health Medicaid team provides to all students and programs in the district. The team is led by Michael McCoy and is committed to helping serve the health needs of all students by supporting the billing and reimbursement process associated with the Colorado Health Care Policy and Finance Department Medicaid program. Our team is widely recognized as a leader in the provision of health service in Colorado!
What is your big term goal or project this year?
Our team is committed to providing the best, holistic health support experience for our students, in order for them to attain their best, lifelong goals and achievements. Health Services is an essential component in the entire system of supports offered throughout the district. We strive to connect with other departments and programs, and stand ready to serve in order to assure overall student success. Our goals are to be as inclusive as possible in our work throughout the district, breaking down silos and bridging programs and people together.