MN HF1572

Department of Education must employ a school health services specialist to provide technical assistance to school districts and charter schools on education-related health needs and serve as primary liaison to Department of Health and other state agencies.

Specialist duties include increasing professional awareness of school nurses using American Nurses Association and National Association of School Nurses competency standards, developing implementation guidance for teachers on health-related educational needs, and creating online professional development programs.

"Health service specialist" must be a professional registered nurse licensed as both a public health nurse and school nurse in Minnesota with minimum three years school nursing experience, experience managing districtwide health policy and budgets, and a graduate degree in nursing, public health, education, or related field.

Specialist position requires extensive training in school nursing including knowledge of child development, public health, special education, section 504 plans, health insurance reimbursement, emergency preparedness, and skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and policy development.

General fund appropriations from the commissioner of education are designated for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for the school health services specialist position (specific dollar amounts not specified in bill).