BLS Nurse Blog
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 一 Winston Churchill
HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT DURING AFTER SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Last month Tami requested the information below be shared in the level leader blogs. Tami will be sharing access to the form responses with our regular nursing staff. Please reach out to Tami directly with any questions. For activities such as Camp Tamarack or other overnight school sponsored field trips, a Request for Direct Care Nursing Form should be submitted by the classroom teacher.
Please ensure that parents/guardians of students who require specialized health services (e.g., diabetes management, seizure support, adrenal insufficiency care) are aware that the school nurse must receive at least two weeks’ notice prior to any school-sponsored activity occurring outside regular school hours (such as dances, movie nights, or robotics events). This advance notice is essential to ensure appropriate health supports can be arranged. For overnight trips, please provide notice a minimum of four weeks in advance to allow adequate planning and coordination.
Parents/guardians can submit a request here (English/Spanish).
IMMUNIZATIONS
Immunization Exclusion Day
February 25, 2026
Primary review reports will be submitted to the Deschutes County Health Department on January 14, 2026. Students who are not up to date by that date will receive exclusion letters from the health department, which will be mailed on February 4.
Please reach out to Michelle with any questions.
OHA Statement regarding CDC’s January 5, 2026 revised immunization schedule
FYI – At this time there are no changes to Oregon School Immunization Laws
MENTAL HEALTH
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
From OHA
What: OHP members no longer need a personal prescription for birth control pills (specifically Opill) and emergency contraceptive.
Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) members are now able to get Opill birth control pills and emergency contraception without a prescription and at no cost at covered pharmacies in the state. The Oregon Health Authority, in collaboration with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, made this possible through a standing order, which allows pharmacists to provide these medications to OHP members and bill OHP.
In Oregon, these medications are already covered without a prescription for people with private insurance. Federal law, however, requires that all medications for Medicaid enrollees be prescribed by a licensed practitioner who is enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. Oregon’s new standing order means that OHP members will no longer have to get a prescription to access these contraceptives at no cost.
How OHP member can get access:
- OHP members can go to their approved pharmacy and request emergency contraception or Opill, and for it to be covered by OHP.
- Most OHP members get their benefits through a local Coordinated Care Organization (CCO); OHP members can call their CCO and ask which pharmacy to go to.
- OHP members not in a CCO (known as OHP Open Card), or who do not know which CCO they’re in, can call OHP Client Services for help at 800-273-0557.
- OHP members will need to provide their OHP ID number, which is on their OHP ID card or CCO ID card, or by providing personal information that enables the pharmacy staff to search for and confirm enrollment in OHP.
Where to learn more:
- The OHP member web page for Sexual and Reproductive Health Care
- A fact sheet in English & Spanish
- OHA’s Instagram and Facebook
- OHA’s press release to announce this news
SAFETY
DCHS Substance Abuse Overdose Response Briefing – 12/19/25
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION
From OSNA
Join us on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, for a Substance Use Prevention webinar to learn more about the data and basic epidemiology of alcohol use in adolescents, how alcohol affects the developing brain, and strategies that can be implemented for prevention and screening for problem alcohol use in adolescents.
Because this webinar is being presented by SUD Prevention & Early Intervention ECHO, the registration link is DIFFERENT that the one we usually use for our Community of Practice. This event will be recorded an made available to registrants by SUD Prevention & Early Intervention ECHO.
TIME SHEETS
When submitting timesheets to Kristan, please provide a written or scanned copy only. Photo images should not be submitted, as they are difficult to print clearly. Thank you!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Upcoming Nurse Events/Meetings
| DATE | EVENT | TIME | LOCATION |
| 1/19/26 | Martin Luther King Jr Day | NO SCHOOL | |
| 1/21/26 | Nurse Meeting | 2-330 | TBD |
| 1/30/26 | Nurse Meeting (Skills Day) | NEW TIME 845-12 | Board Room |
| January 9, 2026 | April 10, 2026 |
| February 6, 2026 | May 8, 2026 |
| March 6, 2026 | June 12, 2026 |