The health department partners with and offers consultation to the R-II public school system . Assistance is provided with immunizations, health education and communicable disease prevention. Staff serves on their health advisory board.

A full school nursing program is provided to all of the parochial schools in the county which includes the usual screenings for vision, hearing, height, weight, scoliosis and blood pressure for age appropriate students. In addition, students are assessed to assure they receive comprehensive physicals and dental care. Assistance is provided in finding a medical home if needed. Assessments are done to determine special health care needs and care plans for students with special needs are developed along with action plans to address life threatening conditions. Health education and training is provided to students, staff and parents.

Healthier Lifestyles

A healthier lifestyles program has been initiated in the parochial schools to encourage children to make healthier food choices, get more exercise and live a healthier lifestyle in general. Information is periodically sent home to the parents and at least one special family activity will be held during the school year. The intent of this program is, of course, to prevent childhood obesity as well as obesity in our children’s later years. The term obesity as well as other negative weight-related terms are avoided in the education in the hopes that the children will want to live healthy rather than be weight conscious.