[JaneyW]

Any school readiness nurses out there??

[okschoolnurse]

I am not sure what you are asking. What do you mean by school readiness nurse?

[JaneyW]

There are several states (I'm not sure if Oklahoma is one of them) that have developed school readiness programs centering on the 0-5 population. The goal is to have kids healthy, developmentally prepared, emotionally prepared and ready to learn when they hit the school system at age 5. In California, we have an initiative called the First Five that was passed giving a percentage of the tobacco tax funds toward children ages 0-5. The money is given to counties based on the birth rate in the county. Each county decides how they will use these funds based on their population demographics.

My county has funded a school readiness program. Under this program, each school district is given grant money to fund programs to get kids ready for school. This includes some preschool programs and English lessons (with childcare) to help enrich the children's environment for learning. Some of this money funds school readiness nurses who do health screenings and referrals for the district's 0-5 population. This is so the kids will have had their hearing and vision and dental needs addressed before they get to school. They also look at developmental problems and refer to the county and special ed programs to get the kids early intervention.

I have applied for a position and am waiting to hear. Christmas break shuts everything down!

[okschoolnurse]

Very interesting. Thanks
Oklahoma does not have this. We have head start for low income, and native american children and we have some programs through the health departments, but none as inclusive as yours.
Good luck and happy new year!!!!