![](https://cme.bu.edu/sites/default/files/styles/course_image/public/course/2023-07/Clinical%20Update.png?itok=sxjmpxlX)
Special Education and Nursing Support of Students with Special Health Care Needs: Mastering the IHP, 504 and IEP
Note: We have reached capacity for this course and have closed it to registration. We are sorry to report we will not be able to accept any walk-in registrations.
Because this content is so important for school nurses, SHIELD is building a self-paced course based on the content presented during this program. This IEP and 504 course will be released in the winter of 2024. Watch for announcements in an upcoming School Health Unit Newsletter.
Have you stepped into your role as an advocate and leader in serving students with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) in your school setting?
The 2023 November Clinical Update will provide training designed to enhance school nurses’ skills and knowledge in the care of students requiring IHPs, IEPs, and 504 accommodations. Nurses who complete the training will be prepared to deliver equitable, high-quality care coordination and serve as advocates in their school communities.
Target Audience
School Nurses, School Health Professionals, Special Educators, Interdisciplinary School Staff, Psychologists, Social workers
Learning Objectives
At the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe one way they can advocate for equity and inclusion of students with IHPs, 504s and IEPs.
- Delineate the difference between educational plans and one requirement for each to be initiated.
- Utilize one strategy to foster collaboration between school nurses and interdisciplinary teams when serving students with disabilities and special health care needs.
- Identify one action of the school nurse on the 504-evaluation team.
- Understand the key elements and guiding principles for developing the IHP.
- Apply knowledge gained to align their IHP development, implementation, and evaluation process with procedures/practices in their respective schools/districts.
Agenda (Subject to Change)
Please note we will be providing you with a printout of this agenda on the day of the meeting.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Arrivals, Registration, Breakfast
|
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM | Opening Remarks
|
9:20 AM - 9:50 AM | Centering Students and Families
|
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM | Activity |
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (with a 5-minute break) | Students with Disabilities in the School Environment
|
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | The School Nurse and the 504: Q&A with Judy Styer
|
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch |
1:00 PM – 2:45 PM | IHP Building Workshop
|
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Wrap-Up Statements: Charge to Learners & Next Steps |
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Accredited Continuing Education activities to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. This information is disclosed to all activity participants prior to the start of the educational activity. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has procedures to mitigate all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed.
In accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all relevant financial relationships that faculty, planners, authors, and anyone who may be in control of content have with ineligible companies have been mitigated.
Faculty
Elizabeth Bostic, MBA
Elizabeth (Beth) Bostic is the proud parent and humble servant of King James, a medically complex young man. As a parent of children with special needs, she understands the often daunting task of securing and coordinating appropriate academic, medical, functional, social, and recreational supports and services in the home and community.
Beth was a Project Manager for a training and consulting organization before starting her own Special Education Advocacy practice more than 15 years ago. She is a trusted and frequently requested facilitator of workshops and stakeholder meetings across the Commonwealth, known for her ability to facilitate candid conversations about special education, caregiver needs, disability rights, and healthcare disparities among underrepresented and disenfranchised populations.
Beth received her MBA at Suffolk University. She is the Assistant Director for the Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and a LEND Faculty Instructor and Fellow at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMASSC Chan Medical School. She is on the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Committee of the MA AAP, the recipient of the first Family Caregiver Award from the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the Department of Developmental Services, and a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker.
Donna H. Lehr, PhD
Donna H. Lehr, Ph.D., retired from Boston University in 2022 after 34 years as a faculty member in the Special Education Program at Wheelock College at Boston University. She was a long-time Special Education Program Director and, for 10 years, just before her retirement, served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the College. Dr. Lehr was instrumental in planning academic programs for students entering BU from the former Wheelock College, which merged with BU’s then School of Education. Dr. Lehr is currently the Chair of the Department of Education Studies at Stonehill College and continues to teach courses focused on the education of students with severe disabilities for Boston University
Her scholarship has been focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs for students with disabilities who have extensive support needs and their inclusion in general education schools and classes Dr. Lehr has worked with numerous educational teams, schools, and school districts throughout the country in supporting their goal of providing inclusive education for their students with disabilities. Her scholarship has focused on instructional systems, practices, and policies that facilitate the learning and acceptance of this population of students who often challenge educators.
Ellen Capstick, MSN, RN, NCSN
Ellen currently holds the position of Clinical Care Coordinator of the Worcester Public Schools. She has served as the coordinator of the Clinical Care Coordination Program for almost five years. In her role as director of this program, she has applied her expertise in pediatric care coordination for severely medically complex students along with hiring, educating, and training licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants to provide care to this vulnerable population. Ellen has been a school nurse for 19 years and her experience has included diabetes education, community nursing, resource nurse, professional development coordinator, interprofessional collaborator, and most importantly a resource and caring provider to her students and their families. Ellen received her Associates Degree in nursing from Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA; her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Worcester State University, Worcester, MA. Ellen’s past experience as adjunct faculty to the Blackstone Valley Technical Licensed Practical Nurse program has been one way in which Ellen plans on continuing her dedication to creating high-quality education and developing the next generation of nurses to lead in the future.
Sophie Korpics, BA, MPP
Sophie Korpics is thrilled to be lending her unique voice and perspective as a disability advocate! Originally From Newburyport Massachusetts, Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is very passionate about disability advocacy. Previously, she interned at the Arc of Greater-Haverhill Newburyport, as well as the Massachusetts State House for Representative James Kelcourse. Most recently, she interned with the Disability Program Manager at Massachusetts General Hospital. She currently serves on The Newburyport Commission on Disability, in addition to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alliance in Newburyport. In addition to advocacy around improving the public school experience for students with special health needs, Sophie is also passionate about ensuring transportation accessibility, and authentic disability representation in the arts.
Tina Rusak, MS, MSN, RN
Tina has been a School Nurse for Gardner Public Schools since 2012. In that time, she has filled the positions of Middle School Nurse, Float Nurse, Resource Nurse, and for the past four years as Nurse Care Coordinator. She is on the District Wellness Committee and has played a key role in updating the District Emergency Operations Plan. In 2021, Tina received a Master of Science in Public Health/Community Nursing from Worcester State University. She is an Adjunct Nursing Instructor at Fitchburg State University, and recently completed a Certification Program in RN Case Management. Tina enjoys working with students with complex health conditions and their caregivers in her care coordinator role and collaborating with school nurses to identify ways to improve nursing care in the school setting.
Judith Styer, BSN, BA, RN, NCSN
Judith Styer, BSN, BA, RN, NCSN is an accomplished school health administrator with a deep commitment to nurturing the health and overall well-being of students. Throughout her career, she has leveraged her expertise to shape comprehensive school health and wellness programs that promote students’ academic achievement.
From 2013 to 2022, Judith held the position of Director of Health and Wellness at Framingham Public Schools (FPS). In this capacity, she oversaw department programming and supervised a strong team of school-based student support services personnel, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, and behavioral health providers. Judith was FPS’s Director of School Health Services from 2007 to 2013 when she supervised the district’s school nurses and provided oversight to its comprehensive school health services program. Prior to becoming an administrator, Judith worked for nine years as a public school nurse in Weston and Framingham, MA.
During her tenure at FPS, Judith spearheaded the development and implementation of FPS's social-emotional learning program and the Code of Character, Conduct, and Support initiative. These efforts led to a transformative shift in the district's disciplinary approach, transitioning from punitive measures to a more equitable, supportive, accountable and restorative model. She was the district's Section 504 Coordinator (2007-2022) ensuring compliance and equitable access to FPS programming for students with disabilities.
Judith's professional associations include serving as President of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (2013-2015), membership on the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics School Health Committee (2014-2020), participation on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Safe and Supportive Schools Commission (2014-2019) and membership on the Board of Trustees of the MetroWest Medical Center (2014-2018).
Judith holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Simmons University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art from Goshen College. She is certified by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses.
Since her retirement from FPS in 2022, Judith has served as a coach for new school nurse leaders in Marlborough and Medford Public Schools. Currently, she is a subject matter expert consultant with JJR Consulting, actively contributing to the revision of the MA Department of Public Health's Comprehensive School Health Manual. She is a trained mediator with Metrowest Mediation Services and volunteers as a Special Education Surrogate Parent.
In support of improving patient care, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nursing Contact Hours: 5.00 contact hours, of which 0 are eligible for pharmacology credit.
SHIELD is a DESE-approved provider for PDPs. PDP certificates are issued for programs/series lasting 10 or more hours on a topic. CNE certificates are also issued for eligible courses. Learners may use CNE certificates toward PDPs.
Available Credit
- 5.00 ANCC
- 5.00 Participation
Price
Note: We have reached capacity for this course and have closed it to registration. We are sorry to report we will not be able to accept any walk-in registrations.
Because this content is so important for school nurses, SHIELD is building a self-paced course based on the content presented during this program. This IEP and 504 course will be released in the winter of 2024. Watch for announcements in an upcoming School Health Unit Newsletter.
Disclosure
THESE MATERIALS AND ALL OTHER MATERIALS PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SUPPLEMENTING CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. ANYONE USING THE MATERIALS ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL RISK FOR THEIR APPROPRIATE USE. TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT WILL TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT SHOULD THE INFORMATION IN THE MATERIALS BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE. IN NO EVENT SHOULD INFORMATION IN THE MATERIALS REGARDING LAWS, REGULATIONS, OR LEGAL LIABILITY BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE OR USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY.
Special Services / Dietary Needs
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in our facilities, programming, and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability, require communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason please contact the BU-CCE Office at least 3 weeks prior to the event to discuss your needs. For in-person meetings with meals, we will work to accommodate dietary requests (including, but not limited to kosher, vegetarian, low cholesterol, and low sodium) received in writing at least three weeks prior to the start of the conference. Please contact us at cme@bu.edu
Copyright
This material is copyrighted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). MDPH grants permission for use of these materials for non-commercial educational use only, provided credit is given to the MDPH. Modification of content is permitted only with prior approval of the MDPH School Health Unit.