Accountability Report

Health and Social Services

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Over 230 MESD employees work in the Department of Health and Social Services.

We provide or coordinate specialized health or social services that support the educational experience for students in all Multnomah County school districts and some Clackamas County districts.

We are nurses, teachers, health assistants, educational assistants, social services providers, support staff, Medicaid specialists, outreach workers, audiologists, and immunization specialists.

We coordinate the services we provide to students with parents and families, school district staff, community health care providers, health care systems. local and state health departments, hospital staff, and other community partners.

We work to ensure that all areas of health are supported for our students: physical, emotional, and dental. Together, we form the connection between health and education.

Child Health Insurance Access Program
Multnomah ESD works cooperatively with Kaiser Permanente, Multnomah County Health Department, the Department of Human Services Office of Private Health Partnerships, and other community partners to identify eligible children and assist in enrollment in health insurance programs.

Contracted Nursing/School Health Assistants
School nursing services support school districts by providing mandated health services, promoting wellness, and assisting students to achieve optimal educational experiences. School health assistants (unlicensed staff) provide injury and illness assistance to students under the direction and supervision of the RN and RN supervisor.

Contracted Health Services
MESD provides Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration-mandated training for school staff at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. MESD provides a menu of health education offerings, including medication administration, several allergic reaction and general health room guidelines.

Dental Van Program
School nurses screen and identify uninsured students who can receive acute and preventative dental care provided by Medical Team International (MTI) mobile vans, and the Multnomah County Health Department (MCHD) School Community Dental Program.

Direct One-to-One Nursing
School districts contracted for direct nursing services for students with complex medical needs.

Expanded Health Screening Team
The Expanded Health Screening Team assists MESD school nurses by screening and referring students for vision, dental, scoliosis, and immunization needs.

Hearing Screening Program
The Hearing Screening program identifies students with hearing loss that may impact their potential to learn.

Hospital School Program
The Hospital School Program (HSP) provides instruction and educational services to children at seven program sites in four Portland hospitals.

Immunization Tracking Program
The Immunization Tracking Program supports districts in providing recommended and state-mandated immunization requirements that promote wellness by protecting students and school staff against vaccine-preventable diseases and assist students to achieve an optimal educational experience.

Long Term Care and Treatment
Multnomah ESD receives funding from the Oregon Department of Education to provide instructional staff, curriculum, related services and administrative support to educate students with mental health and behavioral challenges. In the 07-08 school year MESD provided educational services in the following programs:

Medicaid Administrative Claiming
MESD facilitates reimbursement of federal funds for certain activities found allowable for the proper and efficient administration of the state's Medicaid Plan.

Medicaid School-Based Billing Services
The Medicaid School-Based Billing Program obtains reimbursement for health services to eligible students under the Individuals with Disabilities Act through the Department of Medical Assistance Program (DMAP).

School Nursing/School Health Assistants
Registered nurse services and school health assistant services were provided to both local and outside districts.

Special Needs Nursing
Special Needs Nursing allows districts to serve students with severe or chronic health problems.

Wraparound Oregon: Early Childhood
MESD manages the Wraparound Oregon: Early Childhood program for the Portland metropolitan region. The project serves children birth to eight with significant mental health disorders, and their families.