Skip Navigation
School Health Services
Spinal Screening
In 1985 the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 832 which requires screening for abnormal spinal curves for students in grades 6 and 9 attending public and private schools. The school is then required to notify the parents if a child shows any signs of a possible curvature. Screening should be done during the growth spurt years, ages 10-14 years (Grades 5-9), to detect spinal deformities early.
The screening requirement for children entering grades 6 and 9 may be met if the child has been screened for spinal deformities by a physician and a record has been provided. ESC-20 offers spinal certification classes throughout the year. Register in Connect20.
Vision and Hearing Screening
The Vision and Hearing Screening Program, Texas Health and Safety Code requires that all children enrolled for the first time in any public, private, parochial, or denominational school or in a Department of Family and Protective Services licensed child-care center and licensed child care home in Texas, or who meet certain grade criteria (specified below), must be screened or have a professional examination for possible vision and hearing problems.
  • 4-years-old by September 1st
  • Kindergartners
  • Any other first-time entrants
  • (4 years* through 12th grade) must be screened within 120 days of admission
  • 1st-, 3rd-, 5th- and 7th--graders must be screened anytime within the school year (preferably within first semester)
Health Services Region 8 Vision and Hearing Program Manager:
Elijah Brown, MPH
Vision, Hearing and Spinal Screening Program
Department of State Health Services
Phone: (512) 776-6442
ESC-20 offers vision certification, hearing certification, and vision/hearing recertification classes throughout the year. Register in Connect20.
Acanthosis Nigricans
(Risk Assessment for Type II Diabetes)
Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children (Acanthosis Nigricans) An online certification training program to perform the Acanthosis Nigricans Screening is available through the University of Texas – Pan American website at the following web link. Information on screening requirements and data submission is also available on the Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children website.
UDCA Training
Guidelines for Training School Employees Who Are Not Licensed Healthcare Professionals
House Bill (HB) 984, 79[R], relates to the care of students with diabetes in schools. The bill mandates that principals identify unlicensed personnel to assist with caring for students during the regular school day or while participating in a school activity. The bill also mandates that the Texas Diabetes Council (TDC) develop guidelines for training school personnel to be diabetes care assistants.
Guidelines for Training School Employees who are not Licensed Healthcare Professionals to implement House Bill 984 (79th Legislature) related to the Care of Elementary and Secondary School Students with diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions related to implementing House Bill (HB) 984.
ESC-20 offers UDCA training in September and January of each year. Register in Connect20.
Bloodborne Pathogen Control
As a result of legislation passed in 1999, Texas public school districts are required to implement bloodborne pathogen exposure control plans. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) School Health Program compiled information and resources to assist public school districts in adapting policies to ensure compliance with Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 96 (Bloodborne Pathogen Control) of the Texas Administrative Code (§§96.101, 96.201-96.203, 96.301-96.304, 96.401-96.402, 96.501, 96.601) and Chapter 81 of the Health & Safety code (§§ 81.301- 81.306).
Contact:
Mandy Tyler
Educational Specialist
(210) 370-5493
Contact Mandy Tyler

Copyright © 1985 - 2018. All rights reserved.

powered by ezTaskTitanium TM