At yesterday’s Benton Franklin Health District (BFHD) meeting, schools received updates and resources to support student health and safety in the year ahead.
Community Health Resources & Toolkits
- Child Passenger Safety Program – Free car seat checks are available both at schools and through individual appointments. Certified technicians provide drop-in checks at Cadillac Regional Medical Center (4th floor parking garage).
Contact: kelly.harnish@bfhd.wa.gov
- School Toolkits – Available for reservation (days to weeks) in English and Spanish.
- Teen Driver Safety Workshop – In partnership with Teen Target Zero, this program engages parents and caregivers in response to local teen fatalities from motor vehicle accidents.
- Growing Together: HOPE & SEL Toolkit for Families – Conversation cards covering social-emotional learning competencies are available in English and Spanish via the Community of Hope Coalition webpage.
Non-Punitive School Discipline Cohort
Registration is open for the 2025–26 cohort focused on moving from punitive practices to evidence-based systems, including substance use prevention and campus response. Register here.
Communicable Disease Reporting Requirements
Schools are reminded of their obligations under Washington State Notifiable Conditions:
- Mandatory reporting of suspected/confirmed cases to local health jurisdiction, and cooperation in outbreak investigations.
- Outbreaks of non-reportable conditions (e.g., norovirus, influenza) must also be reported.
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a critical focus this year. Washington led the nation in pertussis rates last year, and similar trends are expected. Immediate reporting is required of confirmed cases.
- Pertussis may take 2–3 provider visits before testing.
- Confirmation status determines exclusion eligibility.
- Remember: the cough can persist even after the communicable period.
Other disease updates:
- Measles – Travel-associated cases continue to be a concern.
- COVID-19 – emergency room visits and hospitalizations are increasing.
- RSV & Influenza – Currently low but expected to rise later this fall.
Program Updates & Upcoming Events
- School-based vaccine clinics – Four clinics are planned (October, December, February, April) using a new data-driven scheduling model. Schools will be contacted directly.
- EHS Fall Conference – October 16.
- Youth Summit – Save the date: March 20, 2026 at the Pasco Red Lion. This free one-day event will bring together 300 participants from nine counties to focus on mental health, substance prevention, and networking. A youth planning committee is actively recruiting members.
- Free Mind Campaign – Educational resources on teen substance use and mental health are available at the CDC Free Mind site.
Additional Resources
Visit the Benton Franklin Health District website for full program details and resources.
