School Inspections in Benton Franklin Counties
This year, BFHD is actively inspecting specialty classrooms, such as labs, tech shops, and art rooms. If your school has not been inspected, please book your inspection here. Be sure to include contact details for the staff member attending the inspection and select the appropriate health inspector for your area. Faculty presence during inspections is beneficial for answering questions about safety training and the use of specialized equipment.
SBOH TAC School Rule Update
Erin Hockaday, Sr. Manager of Surveillance & Investigation for BFHD, shared that the Technical Advisory Committee completed the final language for the School Environmental Health & Safety Rules this week and will soon undergo fiscal and environmental justice reviews. The public comment period will be in late December. The State Board of Health will hold a TAC listening session on January 13 in the Tri-Cities.
Community Health Program Updates
Childhood Injury Prevention Kits are self-contained blue rubber-made storage totes available at no cost for schools to borrow. They are ideal for open houses or conferences and contain resources for children and caregivers. Benton Franklin schools can also borrow Fire Prevention and Home Safety kits for younger children and parents.
- Schools can reserve kits at BFHDBookingBFHDInjuryPrevention.
- Families can schedule a car seat check using BookingBFHDCar seat checks.
Tobacco-Free Schools
Schools interested in free tobacco-free school signage can email michaell@bfhd.wa.gov. Quit Kits, designed to help youth and adults quit tobacco, are being restocked. For youth, the kits include water bottles with motivational items. Email yajaira.lemus@bfhd.wa.gov to request quit kit delivery.
Pertussis Awareness
Pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough,” is most severe for infants and the elderly, though not everyone affected by the bacteria shows symptoms. It severely impedes breathing—the “whoop” is a struggle to intake oxygen. About one-third of babies are hospitalized when they have an infection.
- PCR nasal swabs provide an accurate diagnosis.
- Diagnosed individuals must take four days of antibiotics before returning to school. They will be excluded from school for four weeks if they refuse antibiotics.
Exposure notification is strongly recommended for group settings, such as schools. BFHD is drafting an Exposure Notification Letter to share with school nurses.
