What Are School Health Screenings?
Health plays an important role in student's academic success. ECDHD collaborates with local area school districts to conduct the required vision, hearing, dental, weight and height screenings on an annual basis. The purpose of the screens is to identify those students who need further evaluation or assistance with their health. The screens are not a medical diagnosis. Parents/guardians will receive the results of any screen where there is a recommendation for follow-up care or intervention.
FAQs
What grade levels receive school health screenings?
Students in pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades. Plus, students with hearing or vision concerns can be screened at any time.
What health conditions do you screen for?
Students in Nebraska schools must be screened for vision, hearing, and dental health. In addition, height and weight measurements must be taken. The purpose of screening is to identify those students needing further evaluation or assistance for their health, not to make a diagnosis.
What happens if my child's screening results are not within normal limits?
If screening results indicate a need for further evaluation, the school notifies the parent/guardian in writing. Schools do not cover the cost of further evaluation
Can a healthcare provider do the health screenings instead?
Yes. Your child does not need to be screened at school if you bring a signed statement from a physician, PA, or APRN stating that they have had these screenings done in the past 6 months.
Is there a way to opt my child out of health screenings?
Height and weight screenings may be excused if the parent or guardian provides a signed statement of refusal. A new statement, signed and dated, must be provided for each year that height/weight is to be refused. To refuse vision, dental, or hearing screening, parents/guardian must submit written statement(s) from a qualified examiner that the child has had screenings done within the past six months.
Will my child's school health screening information be kept confidential?
Yes. School health screening information is protected by privacy laws. Screenings are conducted in a confidential way, and results are kept in each student's personal health record.
My child has special needs. Will my child still receive school health screenings?
If your child has known hearing or vision deficits, they may not need periodic screenings for these conditions. This will be determined on an individual basis by the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or school personnel following the student. Students with special healthcare needs who cannot be screened by usual methods at school should not be excluded or overlooked by the school health screening program.
