1. School Health Policy & You
Presented by Mark A Fairchild, MSW, LSW
Director of Public Policy
Covering Kids & Families of Indiana

2. Areas of Discussion Overview of 2018 Indiana General Assembly
Student support services & trauma informed care
Bullying & suicide prevention
School safety & security
School discipline
Sunscreen & CBD oil
Federal issues under debate
Funding for ESSA implementation
School Nursing Support
Your role in school health policy

3. Student Support Services & Trauma Informed Care
Several groups pushed legislation to ensure schools had resources to work with children experiencing trauma.
At first in a bill of its own, the language eventually found a home in HEA 1230, the school safety bill.
Schools will be surveyed on utilization of student support services, how they address trauma, and other aspects of promoting a positive school environment.

4. Bullying & Suicide Prevention
SEA 230 established requirements for suicide prevention training requirements for health care providers, EMTs, and teachers & other school employees.
Must be demonstrated to be an effective or promising program and recommended by the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council. Two hours of training for teachers & school employees.
HB 1356 separated school bullying reports from accountability measures, while giving IDOE auditing powers to assess accurate reporting by schools.
Ensures better baseline data for analyzing the problem and crafting interventions.

5. School Safety & Security
HEA 1230, which was passed during the special session, covered a wide range of school safety issues:
Guidance and supports for bullying and cyberbullying, which are aimed at helping both parents and schools identify instances and report them appropriately.
Similar support and guidance will be required regarding human trafficking, while also requiring an in-service on the topic every 2 years.
The bill also allocates $35 million for the purchase of safety and security equipment, make capital improvements for safety and security and SROs.

6. School Discipline
HEA 1421 Provides that the department of education's model evidence based plan for improving student behavior and discipline must:
(1) reduce out-of-school suspension and disproportionality in discipline and expulsion.
(2) limit referrals to law enforcement or arrests on school property to cases in which referral to law enforcement or arrest is necessary to protect the health and safety of students or school employees
(3) include policies to address instances of bullying and cyberbullying on school property of a school corporation.

8. Sunscreen & CBD Oil
SEA 24 provides that a student may possess and use a topical, non-aerosol sunscreen product while on school property or at a school sponsored event or activity without being required to have a physician's note or prescription or store at a specific location within the school. Must be FDA approved.
SB 52 allows any individual to purchase and possess low-THC (0.3%) CBD oil. One argument for legalization was its use with epilepsy, as well as some sensory issues and developmental disabilities.
School district policies are largely not yet in place

9. Funding for ESSA Implementation
Title IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was created to help schools address non- curriculum priorities, such as school health.
Title IV-A continued to be underfunded by Congress, make it difficult to actually implement meaningful changes, regardless of school plans.
$1.1 billion in funding was appropriated in 2018, representing a much needed funding boost and lowering the competitive aspects of funding.
Importance now is on the appropriate use of funds, tracking of outcomes, and making the case for increased funding.

10. Support for School Nurses
The NURSE Act (Nurses for Under Resourced Schools Everywhere) was introduced this year to Congress as S 2532 / HR 5251.
The NURSE Act would give grants from the Department of Education to increase the number of registered school nurses in Title I schools without a school nurse.
There is a common misconception among legislators that this is already the case (for most student supports); a great example of why your stories are needed.

11. Your Role in School Health Policy
Legislators cannot know everything
They hear far too much rhetoric, few facts
They get a lot of anger, few solutions
They hear from many lobbyists, few experts
They love on-the-ground stories
They do need and want your help!

12. A Few Resources The Indiana General Assembly: www.iga.in.gov
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children:
The Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY):
The Indiana Coalition for Human Services:
The Children’s Policy and Law Initiative:
Covering Kids & Families:

13. Contact Information:
Mark A Fairchild, MSW, LSW
Director of Public Policy
Covering Kids & Families of Indiana