SACRAMENTO
Legislation to alleviate school nurse shortages moves forward
In a proactive move to address the pressing nursing shortage on California school campuses, Assemblywoman Dahle introduced AB 1722 this year. This crucial legislation proposes innovative measures to provide local educational agencies (LEAs) with greater flexibility in hiring licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) when credentialed school nurses are unavailable, ultimately ensuring improved student health and safety.
AB 1722 focuses on addressing the critical shortage of school nurses by introducing a practical solution that enables schools to provide medical care for students. The bill offers LEAs the option to employ LVNs, supervised by credentialed school nurses, to bridge the gap and ensure students’ healthcare needs are met.
“AB 1722 is a step toward enhancing the health and safety of our students in the face of a growing school nurse shortage,”
Assemblywoman Dahle stated. “This legislation recognizes the urgency of the situation- especially in rural areas of California, such as the 1st Assembly District- and provides schools with a viable solution to ensure trained medical professionals are available to address students’ medical needs.”
“AB 1722 will allow our rural school districts and charter schools the flexibility to safely serve students in areas where RNs are in short supply,” said Scott Lay, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. “I want to thank Assemblywoman Dahle for supporting our schools in this critical area of student safety.”
The existing shortage of school nurses poses a significant challenge to ensuring comprehensive healthcare for students. AB 1722 recognizes that the lack of qualified school nurses undermines schools’ capacity to deliver adequate care, address chronic illnesses, and effectively handle medical emergencies. Furthermore, the bill alleviates the undue strain on school personnel who lack the specialized medical training of a school nurse to respond to student medical crises.
Supported by a coalition of education advocates, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens, AB 1722 has gained significant backing for its potential to alleviate the school nurse crisis. The bill represents a collaborative effort to enhance student health and safety while addressing the challenges posed by the shortage of qualified medical professionals on
campuses.
The introduction of AB 1722 underscores Assemblywoman Dahle’s commitment to finding practical solutions to prioritize students’ well-being. By introducing legislation that offers schools the flexibility to hire trained medical professionals, Assemblywoman Dahle takes a proactive approach to improving healthcare access for students across California.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
‘Veterans Stand Down’ event scheduled September 20 -21
Lake County Vet Connect members will host the annual Veterans Stand Down, an outreach event for local veterans and active military personnel who will benefit from connecting with community and Veterans resources Scheduled for Sept. 20 and 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the event will be at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin Street. Veterans must provide their ID cards or DD Forms 214. Lake Transit will provide veterans free rides to the Stand Down. Lunch will be served by Vet Connect volunteers.
Resources to be offered include a significant amount of veterans’ services such as MPIC, VetWorks, disability services, DMV, Nations Finest, One Step Away, housing, homeless assistance, emergency preparedness, Woodland Community College, behavioral health, substance abuse counseling services, employment assistance, advance care planning, and child support assistance.
Hundreds of local veterans in all walks of life are served by the Veterans Stand Down and mobile outreach events. “Being a military veteran of 20 years. I understand the challenges transitioning to civilian life and how important it is to accept and receive help. Stand Down provided me with training and employment assistance, for which I am very grateful” states Patrick Prather, Career Point North Bay Business Solutions Consultant.
The Vet Connect committee currently falls under the auspices of the Lake County United Veterans Council, a nonprofit organization. Members are asking the public to spread the word regarding the Stand Down and benefits available to local veterans.
“In the military, ‘Stand Down’ afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirits, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment,” says Vet Connect Chair Chris Taliaferro.
“Today, ‘Stand Down’ refers to grassroots, community-based intervention programs designed to help our nation’s vulnerable veterans remain safe and receive the services they need to achieve a healthy lifestyle. At risk veterans are invited to a single location and provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems.”
For more information, contact Taliaferro at christopher.taliaferro@edd.ca.gov or Janine Smith-Citron at (707) 263-6222. For updates, visit the Vet Connect Hookup Hub on Facebook.
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