July 23, 2007 - Santa Maria Times: Law to assist special needs students

By Hector Trujillo/Staff Writer

A law authorizing a person holding a certificate of public health in nursing to assist students with special needs will take effect this school year.

Assembly Bill 342, signed in to law June 7, came as a response to Assembly Bill 1667, which omitted allowing public health nurses from providing service to students with special needs.

“We want to clarify who can provide services to the children so there is no confusion,” said Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego.

“Because (public health nurses) were removed from several sections of the Education Code in the past, there was a belief that (they) no longer held the duties of credentialed school nurses,” she explained.

Saldana was the author of both AB 342 and AB 1667. A public health nurse is a registered nurse with special training in community health.

Among the several duties public health nurses have are recognizing signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse of children, providing expert assessment and documentation of the health and developmental status of children.

They also serve as a liaison with healthcare providers and provide health promotion and disease prevention for clients, families and the community at large.

“I think it is good for people to know exactly what our duties are and what we are expected to do for students,” said Shell Beach resident Carmen Santiago. “We want to make a difference and don't want be worrying about doing things that are not our responsibility or that may go outside of certain guidelines.”

Santiago, 22, is a nursing student at Cuesta College and will receive her degree this fall.

Signed in to law last year, AB 1667 did not mention individuals who hold a certificate of public health in nursing issued as among those who could provide physical healthcare services for students during a regular school day.

“There was some concern among the nursing staff regarding the wording of (AB 1667),” Saldana added. “That is why we wanted to push the approval of (AB 342) so to alleviate any concern that those individuals had.

“There are many public health nurses throughout the state assisting students with special specialized health care needs.”

AB 342 also allows unlicensed assistant personnel to be trained to perform nursing services and to perform specialized physical healthcare services to all students.

Hector Trujillo can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5008 or htrujillo@santamariatimes.com.

July 23, 2007

Santa Maria Times
Law to assist special needs students
By Hector Trujillo/Staff Writer A law authorizing a person holding a certificate of public health in nursing to assist students with special needs will take effect this school year. Assembly Bill 342, signed in to law June 7, came as a response to Assembly Bill 1667, which omitted allowing public health nurses from providing service to students with special needs. “We want to clarify who can provide services to the children so there is no confusion,” said Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego. “Because (public health nurses) were removed from several sections of the Education Code in the past, there was a belief that (they) no longer held the duties of credentialed school nurses,” she explained. Saldana was the author of both AB 342 and AB 1667. A public health nurse is a registered nurse with special training in community health. Among the several duties public health nurses have are recognizing signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse of children, providing expert assessment and documentation of the health and developmental status of children. They also serve as a liaison with healthcare providers and provide health promotion and disease prevention for clients, families and the community at large. “I think it is good for people to know exactly what our duties are and what we are expected to do for students,” said Shell Beach resident Carmen Santiago. “We want to make a difference and don't want be worrying about doing things that are not our responsibility or that may go outside of certain guidelines.” Santiago, 22, is a nursing student at Cuesta College and will receive her degree this fall. Signed in to law last year, AB 1667 did not mention individuals who hold a certificate of public health in nursing issued as among those who could provide physical healthcare services for students during a regular school day. “There was some concern among the nursing staff regarding the wording of (AB 1667),” Saldana added. “That is why we wanted to push the approval of (AB 342) so to alleviate any concern that those individuals had. “There are many public health nurses throughout the state assisting students with special specialized health care needs.” AB 342 also allows unlicensed assistant personnel to be trained to perform nursing services and to perform specialized physical healthcare services to all students. Hector Trujillo can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5008 or htrujillo@santamariatimes.com. July 23, 2007