YEAR IN REVIEW & LEADERSHIP
Aloha Mai Kākou,
I am pleased to report that Hawaiʻi Keiki had another outstanding year proudly partnering with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) and serving students in all 258 public schools across the State. We have seen significant increases in utilization of our services which have resulted in overall increases in student health and wellness. More students returned to the classroom instead of being sent home and we supported a record number of health screenings.
This past school year, we received national recognition from the American Academy of Nursing as an exemplary nurse-led school-based health model. School nursing programs across the nation have adopted best practices from our program and reference our model as they build their programs. We could not be more proud that our program has made significant contributions of knowledge and practice in nursing across the nation.
In many communities across our islands, access to healthcare remains a significant challenge. HIDOE’s investment in our program and partnership is a testament to their commitment to put into action a whole child approach to education. Evidence shows that healthy keiki have improved academic outcomes and are able to reach their full potential in school and beyond as an adult.
I would like to personally thank each and every one of our staff for your creativity, passion and dedication to our program, the schools and keiki. Because of the critical support you provide to the schools, HIDOE educators and school administrators are able to focus on educating students so they can learn, thrive and contribute as valuable members of our beautiful State of Hawaiʻi.
In the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, Hawaiʻi Keiki will celebrate its 10th year of providing school-based health services that are culturally responsive and tailored to the unique needs of each individual school and community. I look forward to the continued growth and success of our program and hope that we will continue to make positive contributions for our HIDOE students.
Mahalo, PhD, APRN-Rx, CPNP, FAAN Senior Practice Director (808) 956-8426, mattheus@hawaii.edu
Monica San Jose, Ed.D.
Business Operations Manager (808) 853-7211, msanjose@ucera.org
Kailene Oliveros, DNP, APRN-Rx, NP-C, NCSN Director of Clinical Operations (808) 861-6839, koliveros@ucera.org
Azeema F. Vogeler, PhD Data Manager (808) 286-8795, avogeler@ucera.org
Benjamin Kilinski, MS, APRN-Rx, CPNP-PC DOE Clinical Consultant (808) 490-2245, bkilinski@ucera.org
SCHOOL NURSE DAY PROCLAMATION
Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green issued a proclamation recognizing National School Nurse Day on May 8, 2024. In a ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024, Gov. Green presented the proclamation to the Hawaiʻi Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program, UH Mānoa Nursing, the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Public Health Nursing Branch. Hawaiʻi Keiki is the largest school nursing program in the State of Hawaiʻi, with more than 50 school nurses in public schools.
National School Nurses Day highlights the unique contribution of school nurses and how students, families and the larger community in Hawaiʻi can benefit from having easier access to equitable healthcare. It is a testament to the tremendous impact school nurses have on Hawaiʻi communities and why the need for more school nurses is pertinent for a healthier future.
NATIONAL 2023 EDGE RUNNER DISTINCTION
In 2023, Hawaiʻi Keiki was recognized by the American Academy of Nursing with the prestigious Edge Runner in recognition of Hawaii Keiki's innovative nurse-designed model of care that improves healthcare access to quality services in schools. This national recognition is a testament to the dedication of our Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses who are committed to ensuring that public school students in Hawaiʻi have equitable access to healthcare.
INTRODUCTION TO HAWAIʻI KEIKI
In 2014, the Hawaiʻi Keiki (HK): Healthy and Ready to Learn Program was established to provide access to school nursing services in Hawaiʻi public schools. The HK Program sits at the intersection of education and health to promote healthier school communities and provide support for improved educational outcomes for students. The Program enhances and builds school-based health services that screen for treatable health conditions; provide referral to primary health care and patient centered medical home services; prevent and control communicable disease; and provide emergency care for illness or injury. Students succeed academically when they come to school ready to learn.
Five Core Hawaiʻi Keiki Program Goals:
1. Reduce preventable health-related chronic absenteeism and minimize interruption to instructional time. 2. Enhance wellness in the school environment and community.
3. Promote optimal student health through preventive screening and effective services for chronic health conditions. 4. Collaborate with community partners and organizations to provide coordinated school health programs, services and resources.
5. Promote the nursing profession.
The HK Program is committed to strengthening existing and building new relationships within the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) and community stakeholders to foster the HIDOE vision where: “Hawaiʻi’s students are educated, healthy, and joyful lifelong learners who contribute positively to our community and global society.” The HK Program contributes to improving student health outcomes by utilizing a variety of healthcare professionals to promote health and wellness, and increase access to health services at HIDOE schools across the state. HK staff proudly deliver the HK mission and vision from a place of compassion with HEART and ALOHA. These values are the guiding principles that direct the HK Program and culture.
LOCATIONS WE SERVED
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO HIDOE
The following school-based health services are available to all 258 HIDOE public schools based on available staffing and technology.
School Nursing
Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) & Registered Nurses (RNs) are located in designated HIDOE public school health clinics to provide school-based health services to students. School nurses provide episodic care, manage chronic conditions, track communicable diseases, promote healthy behaviors, connect children with insurance & healthcare providers and handle emergencies.
Virtual Keiki Care
Virtual Keiki Care (VKC) uses high-quality video technology to connect a HK RN or trained HK Health Technician (HT) to a HK APRN. The APRN will conduct a virtual examination to provide a diagnosis and plan of care for the student, including providing prescriptions, if appropriate.
Mental Health Program
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) with specialized training & credentials in mental health provide virtual and confidential mental health services to students in select HIDOE public schools. Mental health education sessions with evidence-based information tailored to the needs and/or requests of the participants (students, school administration, HK staff, etc) are also available.
Vaccines for Children
The Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program is a partnership between HK and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (HIDOH) and provides no-cost vaccines to students at select HIDOE public schools on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. The VFC Program is federally funded and ensures that children have an opportunity to get their recommended vaccinations.
Health Hotline
The HK Health Hotline provides HIDOE students & families access to a nurse who can answer healthrelated questions. The hotline can also connect a student, who has parental consent, to an APRN using mobile telehealth technology.
Toll-Free Hotline (844) 436-3888 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays & breaks
Dental Sealant Program
The HK – Hawaiʻi Dental Service (HDS) Dental Sealant Program provides no-cost dental screenings and sealants for students at select Title 1 and high-need HIDOE public elementary schools. Sealants prevent cavities on adult teeth and improve overall oral health. HK’s nursing and dental team work collaboratively with school administration to organize events throughout the school year.
GOAL 1
Reduce preventable health-related chronic absenteeism and minimize interruption to instructional time
Impact: Hawaiʻi Keiki believes that regular school attendance can positively influence a student’s ability to perform academically and can ultimately improve their chances of reaching their full potential and aspirations. Our teams of Nurse Practitioners (APRN), Registered Nurses (RN) and Health Technicians (HT) work collaboratively with the HIDOE to bring health services (both in-person and virtually) to keiki at public schools. Students receiving school-based health services have minimal loss in their instructional time in addition to reducing the challenges faced by parents who may be required to take time off from work to travel to medical appointments. Once a school health visit is completed, the HK staff member communicates with the student's Primary Care Provider to ensure that continuity of care is maintained.
30,024 Unique Students Seen
19,911 55,275
In-person health clinic visits with a HK HT
In-person health clinic visits with a HK RN or HK APRN
354
229
Virtual/telehealth visits for physical health concerns with a HK APRN
Virtual/telehealth visit for mental health concerns with a HK PMHNP
78%
Students returned to class instead of being sent home after a visit with a HK nurse or HT
Enhance wellness in the school environment and community
Impact: Hawaiʻi Keiki enhances school and community wellness by supporting population-focused school health services by providing vaccinations in select areas, COVID-19 testing, and guidance to reduce the spread of infectious diseases on school campuses. In addition, HK nurses promote wellness by providing schools with HandsOnly CPR, AED, and opioid overdose response training to HIDOE staff. HK nurses also provide students with health education on topics that contribute to improved health awareness, such as asthma, vaping, tobacco use, mental health, personal hygiene and nutrition.
188 Students received required immunizations
650
7,277
12,617
HIDOE school staff & administrators trained on Opioid Overdose Response including Narcan administration, Hands-Only CPR and AED use
HIDOE school staff & administrators received other health education or training
Students received health education by Hawaiʻi Keiki
Promote optimal student health through preventive screening & effective
services for chronic health conditions
Impact: Hawaiʻi Keiki continues to grow its partnerships with community organizations that support in-school health screenings. These include screening for vision, hearing and dental. Our partnership with Hawaiʻi Dental Service (HDS) Foundation continues to grow with the Dental Sealant Program extending to 77 schools on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island. HK’s partnership with Project Vision and Vision to Learn was also instrumental in organizing vision screenings and providing free prescription glasses for HIDOE students in need.
Beginning in summer 2023 and throughout the school year, the HK Program hosted several sports physical events at HIDOE high schools. These events provided students with access to a no-cost assessment by HK APRNs allowing them to safely participate in school athletics. HK nurses also assisted school administrators with the evaluation of students with chronic medical conditions to determine any requirements for accommodations or health services to ensure all students have equitable access to a quality learning environment.
155 Community screening events
8,927
Students screened (vision/hearing)
1,903 971 369
Sports physicals performed
Students screened (dental)
Collaborate with community partners and organizations to provide coordinated school health programs, services and resources
Impact: Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses serve as a bridge between schools and community organizations at both the local and state level. In the 2023-24 School Year, HK collaborated with 70 partners across the state. These partnerships bring expertise and services to students and staff that improve the learning environment and health of students. HK has partnered with the AED Institute to certify RNs, APRNs and HTs to become CPR trainers to bring important life saving skills to HIDOE students and staff in addition to participating at the Hawaiʻi Heart Foundation's pilot student CPR Project. Other key community partners include the American Red Cross, local pharmacies, and local mental health partners. The core foundation of the HK Program enhances school-based health with grant funding for specific services.
MAUI SCHOOL NURSES RECOGNITION
MAUI STRONG
The School-Based Health Alliance, a national non-profit organization has awarded the Hawaiʻi Keiki team on Maui with its inaugural GRIT award for their work following the fires on August 8, 2023. The GRIT award recognizes those working in school health who are Genuine, Resilient, Innovative, & Tenacious. During the Maui fires, over 100 lives were lost and 10,000 residents were displaced, including 3,000 public school students. Four HIDOE schools were damaged with one completely destroyed. Hawaiʻi Keiki staffs clinic sites in two of the damaged schools and has one Health Tech supporting the school that was destroyed. As families and students were scattered across the island, Hawaiʻi Keiki’s Maui team of 20 sprang into action to ensure access to care for these students. The staff, consisting of nurses and health technicians, assisted in shelters, triaged patients, refilled prescriptions, worked our health hotline, provided virtual visits, and supported each other and their communities. While 3,000 students were directly impacted by the loss of homes and schools; many of the 24,448 students were indirectly affected by the trauma of this event so close to their own homes. The Maui team displayed true resilience, tenacity, and compassion in caring for the Maui community, even when they were personally impacted as well and continue to do so as the community begins healing and rebuilding their lives.
Promote the nursing profession
Impact: Hawaiʻi Keiki is committed to promoting school nursing as a profession. As a partner of UH Mānoa Nursing, HK contributes to professional development of Hawaiʻi’s future nursing and healthcare workforce. HK actively supports HIDOE high school health academies and career fairs to increase student awareness and interest in the healthcare profession. HK nurses also provide training and education for School Health Assistants (HIDOE employees) to increase their life-saving and first-aid skills. Additionally, HK provides clinical opportunities for students in health professions to experience school health and continues to spread awareness of the benefits and value that school health provides to the community.
508 Health Academy students given career guidance
7,620
Opportunities to develop School Health Assistant knowledge and capability (support calls/visits)
25
8
UH Mānoa Nursing Undergraduate and Graduate students provided with clinical field work opportunities
Scholarly publications and state and national presentations by Hawaiʻi Keiki staff
