The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62422

Susan G. Praeger, EdD, APRN, BC, College of Nursing & Health, Wright State University, 128 University Hall, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, 937-775-2594, susan.praeger@wright.edu

The purpose of this presentation is to help school and public health personnel develop strategies to protect the rights of minors within the confines of the law and school policy. Federal and state legislation has provided minors with the right to consent and, therefore, confidentiality in certain circumstances. Knowledge of the rights of minors, school policy, and community practices is essential for the school nurse and other school personnel in order to link teens to community resources regarding sexuality, drug/alcohol use, and mental health issues. HIPPA and FERPA regulations, community values and school policies complicate the potential for providing needed and allowed health services in the school. This presentation explores strategies for sharing this information with administrators, school personnel, students, families and community members to begin to problem solve ways of assuring students that their rights to health care services are protected while enrolled in schools and while interfacing with federal and state regulations. Participants will have the opportunity to consider criteria for maintaining confidentiality through a variety of case scenarios involving adolescent risk behavior. As a result of this presentation, participants will be better able to decide when and where to provide care for or refer adolescent students needing help with sensitive health related issues in the school.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify state and national legislation regarding minor’s right to consent for care.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of providing confidential services to teens in a school health setting.
• List three strategies for advocating for informed confidentiality policies in the school setting.

Keywords: Adolescents, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.