• Videos on all the screenings can be found in the updated School Health Screenings course (new window)
• Catch the Curve Educational Video for Students | National Scoliosis Foundation (new window)

Notification and Referral Letters

• BMI Screening Notification Letter to Parents/Guardians - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
• Hearing Referral Letter to Parents/Guardians - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
• Vision
  • Referral Letter to Parents/Guardians (1st Notice) - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
  • Referral Letter to Parents/Guardians (2nd Notice) - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
• Postural
  • Screening Notification Letter to Parents/Guardians - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
  • Informational Brochure (Word Doc)
  • Referral Letter to Parents/Guardians - SAMPLE (Word Doc)
  • Referral Letter to Physician - SAMPLE (Word Doc)

Additional Resources

BMI

• Child and Teen BMI Frequently Asked Questions | CDC (new window)
• Massachusetts Obesity Statistics | Mass.gov (new window)
• Massachusetts Obesity Statistics | State of Childhood Obesity (new window)
• Mass in Motion | Mass.gov (new window)

Hearing

• About Hearing Loss in Children | CDC (new window)
• Anatomy of the Ear Video | Khan Academy (new window)
• Understanding Your Audiogram Results | Healthy Hearing (new window)

Vision

• Amblyopia (new window)
• Anatomy of the Eye Video | American Academy of Ophthalmology (new window)
• Beyond Vision Screening: Addressing Barriers to Care - A Guide for School Nurses Infographic (PDF)
• Children’s Vision Massachusetts (new window)
• Instrument-Based Pediatric Vision Screening Policy Statement (2012) | American Academy of Pediatrics (PDF)
• MassHealth Vision Care Services | Mass.gov (new window)
• National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health | Prevent Blindness (new window)
  • 12 Components of a Strong Vision Health System of Care | Prevent Blindness (new window)
  • Children's Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National Issues (2020) | Prevent Blindness (PDF)
  • Position Statement on School-Aged Vision Screening and Eye Health Problems (2015) | Prevent Blindness (PDF)
  • Signs of Possible Vision Problems in Children (2020) | Prevent Blindness (PDF)
  • Vision Screening Guidelines by Age | Prevent Blindness (new window)
• Prevent Blindness Resource Videos (video recordings of presentations led by Prevent Blindness)
• Videos about common vision impairments and how they affect learning from Dr. Bruce Moore, OD, Professor Emeritus, New England College of Optometry:
  • Amblyopia (new window)
  • Astigmatism (new window)
  • Hyperopia (new window)
  • Myopia (new window)
  • Strabismus and Binocular Anomalies (new window)
• Vision and Eye Health - Resources | NASN (new window)
• What Does 20/20 Vision Mean? | American Academy of Ophthalmology (new window)

SBIRT in Schools

Screening and Reporting Resources

• SBIRT in Schools: FAQ (August 2021) (PDF)
• SBIRT in Schools Resource Toolkit, Revised July 25, 2023 (PDF) -- clear your browser's cookies for the updated version
  • This toolkit is designed to assist SBIRT teams in planning their annual verbal substance use screening programs. It provides information about the law, the SBIRT process, planning resources, reporting requirements, education resources, and links to helpful websites. The appendices contain tools and samples school SBIRT teams can use when conducting SBIRT.
• MASBIRT TTA: SBIRT Training and Resource Materials (new window)
  • Resources on this site include the most current screening tools (CRAFFT+N in English and translated into multiple languages), sample letters, helpful resources, and a variety of training resources.
  • Screening Tools:
    • The CRAFFT+N tool, consent for disclosure form, and parent notification letter are available in multiple languages.
    • CRAFFT+N: SBIRT in Schools Screening Tool (Various Languages Available) (PDF)
    • Orange Card (PDF)
    • Sample Consent for Disclosure of Screening Results (Various Languages Available) (Word Doc)
    • Sample Parent Notification Letter (Various Languages Available) (Word Doc)
• DPH BSAS Substance Use Referral Information (PDF)

MDPH Data Collection and Reporting Forms

• FY24 Instructions for submitting school health data (Word Doc)
• FY24 SBIRT and BMI Instructions for Public Schools without CSHS Funding (Word Doc)
• (OPTIONAL) SBIRT screening tool to collect aggregate data, updated January 17, 2023 (new window)
  • Please consider that the Excel form is a WORKSHEET, meant to assist you in collecting the data that will be submitted using the annual report RedCap link. You will need to monitor the totals for accuracy if using this worksheet. There is a known glitch with the N question, as it prompts one to administer the full CRAFFT, instead of the CAR question plus the HONC.

Referral Resources

• Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) provider
  • Schools needing support around referrals to treatment after a positive SBIRT screen should consider contacting their local A-CRA Provider listed on the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline (new window) or by calling 800-327-5050.
• Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) | Mass.gov (new window)
  • BSAS oversees the statewide system of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling and substance addiction.
  • Resources for Transition Age Youth and Young Adults | Mass.gov (new window)
• Handhold (new window)
  • A site for parents developed by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
  • The School Of Hard Talks | Handhold (new window)
    • Free self-paced course for parents to learn about motivational interviewing, which can be used to facilitate better conversations with teens and young adults
• Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP) – Take the first step toward a nicotine-free life (new window)
  • Massachusetts' tobacco and nicotine quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Additional Substance Use Resources