Each school year an updated  Medication Authorization must be submitted prior to the first day of school (also applicable to students who self-carry medication), and Health History  forms  should be completed to ensure that  we have current medical information on file for your child.  At the beginning of each year, your school office will send home forms for you to complete and return.  Follow the links provided above to print each form, complete and return them to the office of your child’s school.

Medical forms may be dropped off at the school office or faxed to the following numbers:

• Elementary School—360-263-2133
• Middle School-  360-263-5936
• High School-  360-263-1705

Flu Resources

CDC – Flu Information for Parents

Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

Brought to you by the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm) that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

• Avoid close contact.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Clean your hands.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Learn how to avoid the flu:  Everyday Preventive Actions

Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Support

Clark County Crisis Line:  (360) 696-9560; 1-800-626-8137

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (LGBTQ)

Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741741

Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Services: 1-360-567-2211 – 9300 NE Oak View Dr. Vancouver, WA  98662

Hospitals-Behavioral Health

Legacy: (503) 413-4848

PeaceHealth: (360) 696-5016

Mental Health Providers

Catholic Community Services WISE Referral:  (360) 907-9043

Children’s Center: (360) 699-2244

Children’s Home Society:  (360) 695-1325

Columbia River Mental Health: (360) 993-3000 – Vancouver Office

(360) 597-9731 – Battle Ground Office)

Family Solutions:  (360) 695-1014

Real Life Counseling:  (360) 619-2226

Sea Mar Vancouver Behavioral Health:  (360) 566-4432

Other

Teen Talk:  (360) 397-CHAT (2428) Hours: Monday-Thursdays – 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Fridays 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline: (360) 715-1563

National Alliance on Mental Illness:  (360) 695-2823

Meningococcal and HPV Information for Parents 

 

Meningococcal and HPV Information

 

Dear Parent or Guardian:

 

As a parent there is nothing more important than safeguarding your child’s health. The Washington State Legislature requires us to make information available to you about and human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal disease. Know the facts about these diseases and the vaccines available to protect your child.

 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Prevention

What is HPV?

HPV is a very common virus that can cause cancers later in life. Nearly 42 million people are currently infected with HPV in the United States. About 13 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. In the U.S., an estimated 36,000 people are affected by a cancer caused by HPV infection each year. While there is screening for cervical cancer that can detect cancer early, there is no recommended screening for the other cancers caused by HPV infection, like cancers of the back of the throat, anus, penis, vagina, or vulva.

 

How can I protect my child from HPV?

HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and lasting protection against the HPV infections that most commonly cause cancer. HPV vaccination works extremely well. HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of HPV-attributable cancers. Since HPV vaccination was first recommended in 2006, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.

 

Who should get the vaccine and when should they get it?

Because the vaccine is more effective when given at younger ages, two doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls starting at ages 9 to 14. If boys or girls do not get the first dose of HPV vaccine before age 15, they will need three doses.

 

For more information on HPV, the vaccine, and cervical cancer:

• Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/hpv
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: www.cdc.gov/hpv  

 

Meningococcal Disease and Prevention

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness. It spreads through close contact by coughing, kissing, or sharing anything by mouth, such as water bottles, eating utensils, lip balm, or toothbrushes. It can cause pneumonia, blood infections, and meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). Severe disease can cause brain damage, loss of hearing or limbs, and death. Fortunately, this life-threatening infection is rare – we usually have only about 20 to 30 reported cases each year in Washington. Adolescents and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal disease, especially if they live in group settings like college dorms.

 

How can I protect my child from meningococcal disease?

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or MCV4, prevents against four types of the disease. It is a 2-dose series recommended for all children between 11 and 12 years of age, and again at 16 to 18 years of age. The meningococcal B vaccine, or MenB, is recommended during a meningococcal B disease outbreak or based on shared decision making with your health care provider.

 

For more information about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it:

• Washington State Department of Health meningococcal information:
  https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/meningitis-meningococcal-disease  
• CDC meningococcal disease and vaccine information:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/mening.html

 

Where can I find the meningococcal and HPV vaccines?

Talk to your health care provider about the vaccines your child needs. In addition to meningococcal and HPV vaccines, your preteen should receive Tdap. Washington offers vaccines at no cost to kids through age 18 through the Childhood Vaccine Program. Participating providers may charge an office visit fee or administration fee to give the vaccine. If you can’t afford these fees, you can ask to have them waived. This provider map can be used to find providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/vaccinemap/

Sincerely,

 

Danielle Rivers, RN

 

(updated 2023)

If you have dental insurance:

• Dentistlink.org  or call/text (844) 888-5465

If you do NOT have dental insurance

• Dream Team
  School Sealant Clinics for Medicaid children
  360-601-0396 – dreamdental.jm@hotmail.com

• Sea Mar Community Health Centers
  Medicaid enrollment, medical and dental services
  6100 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, 360-947-2550
  7410 E Delaware Lane, 360-566-4402
  5411 E Mill Plain #28, 360-397-8459

• Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
  Dental program, appointment only
  360-313-1397 or 360-313-1383