September 2005


	What’s New

Nominations for outstanding contributions to Colorado School-Based Health Care due Sept. 16

Here’s a chance to recognize special people for their contributions to school-based health care. Nominate an advisory committee member, primary care provider, support staff, behavioral health provider, school nurse and other school personnel, an outstanding behavioral health program and school health program.

Applications are available online at www.casbhc.org. Use the application to describe your nominee’s innovation, community connectedness, systemic care management and follow through, perseverance and dedication, cultural competence, integration across school and community, or collaboration and teamwork.

Mail completed applications to 1750 High Street, Denver, CO 80218 by Friday, Sept. 16, 2005. If you have questions or need to have the application faxed or mailed to you, please contact: Barbara Ford at CASBHC, 303-399-6380.

REGISTER TODAY: Sept. 29-30: CASBHC Annual Conference

Register for the Annual Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care Conference and Annual Meeting, Managing Mental Health Challenges in Schools, September 29 and 30, 2005, at the Park Hill Golf Club, 4141 E. 35th Ave., Denver, CO 80205. The workshop and conference is designed for school-based health center staff, school nurses, school mental health providers and community health and mental health providers.

Thursday workshop, Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Cognitive Behavioral Strategies and Techniques for Health Practitioners
Friday conference, Sept. 30, 7:30 a.m. to 4: p.m. Managing Mental Health Challenges in Schools

Speakers include Sharon Stephan, Ph.D., University of Maryland, Center for School Mental Health and Kris Carillo, MSW, New Mexico Department of Health. Daily fees range from $12.50 to $50.00. For detailed information and to register, go to www.casbhc.org.

Salazar presents $10,000 Hero Award to Commerce City Community Health Services, Beauprez acknowledges in Congressional Record

Commerce City Community Health Services, CHS, received the prestigious Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield "Hero in Health" Award. In June, United States Senator Ken Salazar presented the award accompanied by a $10,000 check to CHS Executive Director Betty Pepin at the Hero Recognition Ceremony. U.S. Congressman Bob Beauprez recognized the CHS contribution to children and families, placing notice of the award in the Congressional Record.

CHS is an independent, non-profit, community-based organization that provides low cost, high quality preventive, primary, and mental health care to underserved children and adolescents, birth to 21 years. CHS operates a school-based health center next to Adams City High School and five satellite clinics at two middle schools, an elementary school and an alternative school. Recently, it began operating the Baker Elementary School-Based Health Center in Westminster.

Services include comprehensive well-child exams, sports physicals, immunizations, diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and injury, management of chronic conditions, basic lab and pharmacy, nutrition and weight control counseling, smoking cessation counseling, mental health counseling including drug and alcohol abuse treatment, and health and safety education. CHS also has a bilingual outreach program that assists families in enrolling eligible children in Medicaid and CHP+, and partners with another agency to provide preventive dental services two days per month. Last fiscal year, CHS provided 5,865 medical visits, and 2,889 immunizations.

Of the students served by CHS, 73 percent in School District 14 and 62 percent in School District 50 are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Many of these children have just entered the country and do not speak English, function below grade level, have high health care needs and no health insurance.

Report cites impact of methamphetamine on children

Methamphetamine is currently the number-one drug problem in many parts of the United States according to a report issued by the National Association of Counties. Increasing numbers of children are grossly neglected by addicted parents or exposed to the harmful effects of small-scale in-home labs that produce the drug. A survey of 13 states shows increased methamphetamine-related out-of-home placements. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/2005/july5_alert.asp.

Booster vaccine may reduce whooping cough in adolescents

A new acellular vaccine holds promise of reducing the numbers of cases of pertussis or whooping cough in adolescents and adults according to an article in the American Medical Association. There were an estimated 20,000 cases of whooping cough in the United States last year, an increase of approximately 9,000 cases over the previous year - and many of the cases were in adolescents and adults. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/2005/june22_alert.asp .

Update on chlamydia infections

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the United States, but even the current estimates of 2.8 million infections annually may be too low, judging by the experience of Massachusetts, which requires labs and health care providers to report evidence of chlamydia infection within 24 hours. Chlamydia remains a special threat to women from 15 to 24 years old. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/2005/jun10_alert.asp.

Studies find mental illness begins early in life

Researchers note that 50 percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75 percent have begun by age 24 – making mental disorders the chronic diseases of the young. However, there are often long delays between the time symptoms first appear and when people seek and receive treatment. The median delay is nearly ten years. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/2005/Jun7_alert.asp.

Meningococcal vaccine recommended at age 11

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending vaccination with the newly licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine, MCV4, of children ages 11 to 12 years, adolescents before they enter high school at about age 15, and college freshman living in dormitories. Meningococcal disease begins with deceptive flu-like symptoms. Ten to 12 percent of those who contract the disease die and another 15 percent suffer long-term permanent disabilities such as brain damage. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/2005/may27b_alert.asp.

Depression: Schools must face children's mental health problems

Kathleen Vail’s article in American School Board Journal states that 1 in 33 children and 1 in 8 adolescents may be suffering from depression. However, up to 70 percent of children with diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders are not receiving mental health services – and depressed children are the least likely to get treatment. Schools, especially those with school-based health centers, are stepping up to the plate. For more information, go to www.asbj.com/specialreports/0305SpecialReports/S3.html.

Childhood overweight update: What the research tells us

A revised factsheet, Childhood Overweight: What the Research Tells Us, includes published research from the past 18 months. The factsheet is available from the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools at www.healthinschools.org/2005/Jun2_alert.asp.

Exploring...Youth and HIV, an interactive DVD

The Youth HIV Advocacy Coalition (YHAC) has released an interactive DVD called “Exploring...Youth and HIV.” The DVD features a music video, youth directed, written and produced documentary and an interactive quiz. The DVD addresses contemporary HIV/AIDS issues that affect youth (13-24) every day and can be used as a complete HIV educational program. It is designed to reinforce HIV/AIDS knowledge and foster discussions between students/youth and teachers/youth leaders. English and Spanish versions are included in each DVD. To order, please contact Jennifer Samimi, The CHIP Youth Project, 1056 E. 19th Ave. B-055, Denver, CO 80218, Samimi.jennifer@tchden.org.

New books provide practical information about protecting and disclosing student health information.

Two new books about using and handling student health information are available from the American School Health Association:

“Protecting and Disclosing Student Health Information: How to Develop School District Policies and Procedures” will help school officials and school health personnel develop and implement policies and administrative procedures to protect, use and handle sensitive information appropriately. It gives particular attention to balancing the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with other applicable federal and state laws.
“Guidelines for Protecting Confidential Student Health Information” will help school personnel make thoughtful and appropriate decisions regarding disclosure and nondisclosure of student health information. It will also help them establish policies and procedures for protecting confidential student health information.

For more information – and to order the books, go to www.ashaweb.org. Click on publications and go to school nurse/health services materials.


	Funding Information

The Mattel Children’s Foundation Domestic Grants Program

The Mattel Children’s Foundation is seeking applications for its second round Domestic Grants program. The Foundation supports charitable organizations throughout the U.S. that serve children in need. The Foundation’s funding priorities include: 1) programs that creatively address a locally-defined need directly impacting children up to the age of 3; and 2) programs that align with Mattel’s philanthropic priorities of health, education, and girls. Two types of grants will be considered: 1) program-specific grants – funding for the launch of new programs or expansion of existing programs; and 2) core operating support – support of organizations to sustain their programs. Awards range between $5,000 and $25,000. Deadline: September 30, 2005. For complete program information and application guidelines, go to www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_ grantmaking.asp

Aetna’s quality of care grants program targets depression

The Aetna Foundation will devote up to $2.25 million over three years to support philanthropic initiatives focused on two issues: depression and end-of-life care. Grants ranging between $50,000 and $300,000 for one to three years will be considered. Programs for children and women are welcome. The deadline for depression abstracts is Oct. 15, 2005. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops370.asp.

Foundation for Child Development -- Young Scholars Program focusing on immigrant children

The Foundation for Child Young Scholar Program provides approximately four fellowships of up to $150,000 each for up to three-years to study issues affecting the development of young immigrant children in the United States. The fellowships will support individual scholarships by junior faculty who at the time of application are untenured or have received tenure within the past four years. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent in one of the behavioral and social sciences or in an allied professional field (e.g., public policy, public health, education, social work, nursing, medicine). The deadline is November 1, 2005. For more information, go to www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops369.asp.


	Legislative Update

Governor signs tobacco tax implementation legislation

Governor Owens signed House Bill 05-1262, the tobacco tax implementation bill, into law in June. A huge victory for consumers and the health care community, the bill assures a $170 million annual allocation to meet the state’s health care needs.

Expands eligibility in Medicaid and/or CHP+ to provide health insurance to more low-income Coloradoans.
Provides approximately $33 million a year to qualified health clinics that provide health care to low-income Coloradoans.
Provides approximately $28 million/year for tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
Provides approximately $28 million/year for prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer, heart, and lung disease.
An additional $500,000 per year will go to county nursing services in rural areas to provide childhood immunizations.

HIFA waiver bill passed, signed by governor

Governor Owens signed SB 221 in May. Sponsored by Sen. Bob Hagedorn (D-Aurora) and Rep. Bernie Buescher (D- Grand Junction), the legislation helps low-income families whose financial eligibility for health care coverage fluctuates between the Medicaid and CHIP+ programs. The bill provides a waiver of certain Health Insurance Flexibility & Accountability, HIFA, regulations to improve health service delivery to better serve children and adults. The waiver is the most significant change to Colorado’s health care system in decades.

Colorado finally adds substance abuse benefits to Medicaid

After several attempts over many years by Speaker Romanoff (D-Denver), Senator Johnson (R-Loveland), and some of their predecessors, Colorado has finally passed a bill to add substance abuse benefits to Medicaid. Prior to this legislation, Colorado was one of only three states that did not provide such benefits.

Bills to boost children’s immunizations

Colorado’s ranking as 50th among the states in the number of two year olds who are fully immunized led to several legislative efforts aimed at improvement. Despite tough opposition, SB87 will allow the state’s central immunization information system to send reminders to participating parents when their children’s immunizations are due. HB1161 provides $250,000 in funding for the information system to help with the cost of sending reminder notices and other necessary functions. With an additional $500,000 in tobacco tax revenues and last year’s budget initiative that increased funding for the Health Department, experts are hopeful that Colorado will see a measurable improvement in its childhood immunization rate.

CASBHC board backs referenda C and D

In November, all Colorado voters will have the chance to vote on two measures to reform the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, TABOR, referenda C and D. The two referenda are the result of a bipartisan compromise reached by the state legislature and the governor to try to head off the fiscal difficulties facing Colorado. The CASBHC board of directors supports referenda C and D because they would:

Allow the state to keep and use all the tax revenue it collects for the next five years, approximately $3.1 billion.
Allow the state to earmark that money for education, health care and transportation as well as retirement plans for fire and police officers.
Authorize the state to issue and repay bonds to pay for police and fire pensions, school construction, and critical transportation projects.
Protect the budget during future economic downturns, eliminating the “ratchet” effect.
Keep the state tax rate the same until 2011 and then lower it to 4.5% if revenues exceed the TABOR limits.
Maintain the right of citizens to vote on any and all proposed tax increases.
Continue to limit government spending and growth.

Mental health service districts authorized

Senate Bill 59 authorizes the creation of a mental health care service district to provide mental health care services to residents – and family members of residents – of the district. The legislation allows the district to seek voter approval to levy a property tax or a sales tax to generate revenue to provide mental health care services.

Parents can add children under 25 to health insurance

State House Bill 05-1101 became Colorado law in June, expanding the definition of an eligible dependent to unmarried children less than 25 years of age who have the same legal residence as their parents or are financially dependent upon their parents. This is important because young adults, 18 to 25 years old, are the most likely group to be uninsured in Colorado.

What's New

Funding Information

Legislative Update

What’s New