Mission
School Health Services fosters the growth, development and educational achievement of Massachusetts' students by promoting their health and well being. It monitors health status and identifies and addresses the unmet needs of students, families and school personnel. It builds public and private partnerships to ensure quality services that are effective, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the diverse, changing needs of students and their communities.
Vision
School Health Services takes a leadership role in assessing risks and fostering resilience to ensure that students achieve optimal health and well being. It collaborates with other disciplines, programs and agencies to integrate and improve services, develop policies, and provide information about health issues and needs.
In keeping with its mission and vision, School Health Services is committed to supporting public school districts and nonpublic schools in providing all school-age children with access to a school health service program that is:
- Community-based
- Integrated within and supportive of the educational system
- Managed by a qualified nursing leader who is integrated into the school administrative structure as part of the management team
- Advised by a school and community group, including parents and students
- Based on accepted standards, regulations and statutes
- Supported by a health service management information system
- Offering a range of prevention and treatment services, including tobacco control
- Implemented by sufficient numbers of qualified school nurses and support personnel during the entire school day
- Culturally competent and linguistically relevant
- Coordinated with the eight components of a comprehensive school health program, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: health education, health services, social and physical environment, physical education, guidance and support services, food service, school and work-site health promotion, and integrated school and community health promotion
- Linked with community primary care, mental health and dental health providers, local youth and family serving agencies, local and state public health and emergency providers, and public insurance outreach programs
- Making maximum use of available public and non-public funds, e.g., Municipal Medicaid, grants, insurance reimbursement, business partnerships, Foundation Budget, Community Benefits Program
- Evaluated regularly to determine its effectiveness and efficiency