Funding to Increase School Nursing Workforce in Maine Schools through Telehealth

The increased workload for school nurses due to the COVID-19 pandemic has put an immeasurable strain on our workforce over the past two years. And while we recognize that schools have been provided additional funding to support increasing staff, there isn’t always staff available to hire. Finding experienced school nurses to provide for the health needs of students in your district and surrounding areas is challenging in absence of a pandemic.

As part of funding from the US CDC for COVID-19 Emergency Response, Public Health Crisis Response, Maine Department of Health and Human Services was awarded $8,861,778 for a two-year period, starting July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. This grant requires at least 25% of the award will support school-based health programs, including nurses or other personnel. The Telehealth School Nursing model was chosen as a priority to expand the reach of school nursing services while recognizing that there is a shortage of nurses nationwide and simply creating more school nursing positions is not going to meet the immediate need for schools.

Maine DHHS, in partnership with Maine Department of Education, has partnered to provide telehealth school nursing services to Maine schools that have gaps in nursing coverage. Finding an affordable delivery/platform solution to use as a channel to provide these specialized services to Maine schools is a challenge, but we hope that using this model we can help our schools maintain a safe environment and minimize health-related barriers to learning by providing safe, effective care from an experienced school nurse.

Depending on the needs in a school, there are two nursing models:

Nurse Extender Services – for schools with at least one part-time school nurse, the vendor acts as back-up urgent care coverage for existing nurse when they are not in the building

Primary School Nurse – a comprehensive school health program for schools with no or minimal nurse coverage

To learn more about this opportunity, please register in advance to attend a webinar to be held on, Friday November 5, 2021 at 2pm.

In order to participate in this program, schools will need to complete a short application. The State of Maine will cover the costs of this service through June 30, 2023 and schools that determine they would like to continue will have the opportunity to contract on their own to continue coverage.

For further information, questions, and support, contact Emily.Poland@maine.gov .

Telehealth School Nursing in the News:

SDN Helps Fund Avera Ecare School Nurses Caring For Growing Diabetes Cases https://sdncommunications.com/blog/sdn-helps-fund-avera-ecare-school-nurses-caring-for-growing-diabetes-cases

Dividing the Distance, Avera eCARE Helping Schools with Nursing Care https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Avera-Medical-Minute-Dividing-the-distance-Avera-eCARE-helping-schools-with-nursing-care-495843071.html

It’s National Adoption Month in November – Here are Resources for Educators

November is National Adoption Month! We invite you to recognize and celebrate families that grew by adoption while raising awareness about the urgent need for permanent homes for children and young people in out-of-home (foster) care.

National Adoption Month, initiated in 1976 by Governor Dukakis and formalized by President Clinton in 1995, is an annual campaign sponsored by the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with Child Welfare Information Gateway and AdoptUSKids.

This year, the campaign theme is Every Conversation Matters. Sharing the message about the need for families is critical, yet how information about the adoption experience is shared can have a significant impact on children and young people. This theme is particularly important for adolescents and young people in need of a forever family and a permanent home.

Every child with adoption experience has a story. Helping youth find their voice and the words to tell their story may be hard, but it also unlocks the potential to learn who their important mentors and supports are and may potentially uncover adoption resources.

With approximately 970 Maine children currently entering a relative’s home for placement from out-of-home care and 300 adoption legalizations annually, there are likely children in your school and classroom who are personally affected by adoption. There are great opportunities to provide parents and children with foundational language and resources that can barrier-bust long standing assumptions about adoption.

How you can help:

If you are an educator and are looking for support in navigating the complex social narratives, beliefs and questions the adoption experience often elicits (think family tree assignments), visit looking for tips and starting points to address those issues with your students, visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/adopt-parenting/school/ or https://www.americanadoptions.com/blog/
If you are an educator working with young children visit https://adoptionnetwork.com/ for helpful tools and resources. Or consider teaching a lesson about famous adoptees who have made a difference in the world. Even a small lesson can be incredibly useful in changing people’s opinions about how adoption really works — and promote tolerance among your students for those who may be affected by this process.
If your goal is to get actively involved in this important need, you may remain connected and informed throughout the month by following #AFamilyForMeMaine and #NationalAdoptionMonth on Facebook and raise awareness by asking friends, family and colleagues to join you.
Join the Poster Campaign: What Adoption Means to ME – Download this poster to find out more.

If you want to explore becoming an adoptive parent in Maine, please call A Family for ME at 1-844-893-6311 or visit https://afamilyformemaine.org/ to get started today.

Commissioner Makin Awarded New England Association of School Superintendents (NEASS) ‘President’s Award’

In recognition of the Maine Department of Education’s ongoing advocacy and support for students, educators, and superintendents throughout the pandemic, the New England Association of School Superintendents (NEASS) awarded the Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin with their annual “President’s Award” last week.

The award was presented by current NEASS President and MSAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Filing of Proposed Chapter 33 Rules Governing Restraint and Seclusion, Targeted Rulemaking

As the result of the passing of Public Law Chapter 453 during the 130^th legislature, statutory changes were made regarding restraint and seclusion of students, necessitating changes to Chapter 33 rules.

There are new definitions, prohibitions on unlawful restraint and seclusions, reporting requirements, and expectations for the provisions of technical assistance. These changes will require targeted revisions to ensure that the rule for restraint and seclusion procedures is in line with the statute. The new statutory provisions in the rule have been reflected in color citations as reference flags.
The new proposed rule can be found, on the proposed rule page, listed in numeric order at: https://www.maine.gov/doe/about/laws/rulechanges

Timeline for Rulemaking for Chapter 33 – Major Substantive Proposed
File: October 26, 2021
Post: November 3, 2021
Comment End: December 3, 2021
Hearing: November 22, 2021: 11AM – 12 PM Room 103 A,B Cross State Office Building,
Augusta, Maine. Virtual attendance is encouraged, zoom information can be found, below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89078251244?pwd=ZS9Tc2FaTVJIdXJ4WnhYYWhLbmVFZz09

Meeting ID: 890 7825 1244
Passcode: 880996
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89078251244#,,,,*880996# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,89078251244#,,,,*880996# US (New York)

Written comments may be submitted to Maine Department of Education Mental Health Specialist, Mr. Bear Shea, w.bear.shea@maine.gov , or 207-441-7404 on or before December 3, 2021.

Priority Notice – Chapter 115, Part II Open for Second Comment Period for Three Specific Substantive Changes

The Certification and Higher Education Committee of the State Board of Education has completed a review of the 43 public comments received on the proposed Rule Chapter 115. The State Board of Education has adopted revisions to the rule, including three substantive changes. Substantive changes require that the State Board provide 30 days of public comment. The topics included in changes are as follows:

Refined some of the grade spans
Reinstated the Adaptive Physical Education (APE) endorsement
Revised language per P.L.2021, Chapter 348, which requires that rules which used the term ‘hearing impaired’ be changed to ‘hard of hearing’

The three changes are highlighted in yellow within the newest version of Part II of Chapter 115. You can find the proposed revisions at the following link; listed by chapter number: https://www.maine.gov/doe/about/laws/rulechanges. This is a targeted comment period for the changes named above.

File: October 26, 2021
Post by Priority Notice: October 27, 2021 Public comments period begins with this notice
Post by Secretary of State: November 3, 2021
Comment Deadline: November 29, 2021 close of business.

Comments can be submitted until close of business November 29, 2021 to Jaci Holmes, 23 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333, jaci.holmes@maine.gov , 207-831-3168

Filing of Proposed Chapter 40: Rules for Medication Administration in Maine Schools

This rule provides directions to public and private schools approved pursuant to 20-A MRSA §2902 in the administration of medication to students during the students’ attendance in school programs.

The rule is to assist school administrative units in implementing the provision of the medication statute [20-MRSA §254(5)(A-D)] that provides direction for training of unlicensed school personnel in the administration of medication, and requires that students be allowed to carry and self-administer prescribed emergency medications, specifically, asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors, or prescribed medications or devices for the management of diabetes with health care provider approval and school nurse assessment. It provides direction for application of sunscreen on students in school, as well as provides guidelines for schools who intend to make naloxone available for use in the case of suspected opioid overdose.

Timelines for Rulemaking for Chapter 40 – Major Substantive Proposed

File: October 26, 2021
Post: November 3, 2021
Hearing: November 22, 2021 (19 days from posting)
Comment End: December 3, 2021 (30 days from posting)

As required by law, a period of public comment opens on October 26, 2021 and will be open through December 3, 2021. Written comments may be sent to Emily Poland at Emily.Poland@maine .gov

In addition, a public hearing for the proposed rule will be held in person and virtually on November 22, 2021, 9:00 – 10:30 AM at the Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall St, Augusta, ME 04333, Room 103A and B. As space will be limited, participants are encouraged to attend virtually through Zoom, using this link.

Following the comment period, the rule will be submitted to the Secretary of State for provisional adoption after Assistant Attorney General’s review. The rule is then submitted to Legislative Council for assignment to a Joint Committee. Find the details for proposed changes for Rule Chapter 40 on the Maine DOE Proposed Rule & Rule Changes webpage (proposed rules are listed in order by rule number).

Corrected Dates Proposed Revisions to Rule Ch. 132 (Health Education & Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, World Languages); Public Hearing on Nov. 22, 2021

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding proposed revisions to Health Education & Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards found in Rule Chapter 132 Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. Please note that the Department of Education is only seeking comments on the Health Education & Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and World Languages sections of Rule Chapter 132 at this time.

You can find the proposed revisions at the following links:
Health Education & Physical Education
Visual & Performing Arts
World Languages

The standards review process for the Health Education & Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and World Languages began in 2019 with a public comment period and a public hearing on the current Health Education, & Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards. After the public comment period, steering committees were convened who were charged with reviewing all submitted comments and with developing blueprints for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area. Once the blueprints were created, writing teams, consisting of PK-12 teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity, assembled to draft the standards revisions.

Now, as part of this review process, the Maine Department of Education has submitted the revisions as part of a proposed rule change to Chapter 132. Details on each of the review processes can be found at the following links:
Health Education & Physical Education
Visual & Performing Arts
World Languages

As required by law, a period of public comment opens today, October 27, 2021 through December 3, 2021. Written comments may be sent to Standards Review at sis.doe@maine.gov, or mailed to Beth Lambert, 23 SHS Station, Augusta, ME 04333 and received by midnight on December 3, 2021.

In addition, a public hearing for the proposed rule will be held in person and virtually on November 22, 2021, 3:00-5:00PM at the Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall St, Augusta, ME 04333, Room 103A and B. As space will be limited, participants are encouraged to attend virtually through Zoom, using this link.

You can find the proposed revisions at the following link, listed by chapter number: https://www.maine.gov/doe/about/laws/rulechanges

School Bus Purchase Program Applications Open Nov. 1st to 25th

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications to receive subsidy for new school buses purchased through the Maine School Bus Purchase Program. The application period is November 1 through November 25, 2021.

The Maine DOE will be able to approve about $9 million in school bus allocations that combines new bus requests and the prior year bus term commitment. Round one applications will be accepted for school buses proposed to be purchased during fiscal year 2022-2023.

This program provides subsidy to school administrative units (SAUs) in order to offset partial costs of new school buses that are used to transport students to and from home and school and school events. This program is a resource to help SAUs purchase new school buses, retire end of life school buses, and respond to emergency and special bus needs.

With the exception of Section 3.1, eligible vehicles must meet Code of Maine Regulations Chapter 85 minimum qualifications.

The School Bus Purchase Program instructions and information are available on the Maine DOE’s NEO dashboard. To fill out an application, SAU staffs must log in to NEO.

If you have questions about the Maine School Bus Purchase Program, please contact Pat Hinckley, Transportation and Facilities Administrator at pat.hinckley@maine.gov.

If you need help logging into NEO, contact Maine DOE Helpdesk at medms.helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

October EPS Reporting Deadline Approaching; This Data Impacts Subsidy Allocations.

This is a reminder that October 1st Student Enrollment Count Certification is due on October 30th, 2021 and that the Staff Certification is due November 15th, 2021.

We understand that all school staff are operating in a challenging landscape right now but, it is extremely important to meet these timelines for student and staff certification as this data directly impacts your subsidy allocations. Without this data, we cannot ensure that your subsidy calculation is accurate and that you receive it on time to build your FY 2023 budgets.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to these reporting collections, please contact the MEDMS Helpdesk at (204) 624-6896 or MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov.

Extension of NWEA Assessment Window

Recognizing the extreme challenges experienced at the start of the 2021-2022 school year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to directly impact Maine SAUs, schools, students and families, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and our assessment team would like to ensure that the maximum flexibility possible is provided to support educators and students.

As such, the fall NWEA assessment window, due to close on Friday, October 29, 2021, will be extended a further two (2) weeks and will now close on Friday, November 12, 2021.

Due to the fluid and constant evolution of COVID-19 and the uncertainty this brings, the Department is proactively also extending the spring NWEA assessment window by an additional two (2) weeks. The spring 2022 NWEA assessment window will now open Monday, May 2, 2022 and will close six (6) weeks later, Friday, June 10, 2022.

We hope the additional time allotted will provide some level of reprieve from the multitude of demands you are facing, and we thank you for your dedication to Maine students and their families.