School Environmental Health & Safety Program Updates
This year, the inspection of the CTE and Art Classrooms took place. Next year (2025-2026), the focus will be on indoor air quality in primary schools. Inspections will transition to full building inspections on a 3-year cycle after 2025-2026.
Community Health Program Initiatives
Car Seat and Traffic Safety
- Monthly car seat clinics offering free inspections and installations
- 76% of child restraints in Washington state are incorrectly installed
- Free car seats available for qualifying families (25% below poverty line)
- Traffic Garden and Bike Rodeo resources available for schools:
- 30-bike trailer with varying sizes
- Pop-up road signs and semi-permanent spray chalk
- No-cost reservations through bfhd.wa.gov
Youth Mental Health Support
- Benton County Virtual Platform: https://joon.com/partners/benton-county
- Serves youth ages 13-26
- 46% reduction in anxiety symptoms
- 34% reduction in depressive symptoms (12-week span)
- App-based therapy with practical skill assignments
HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for Positive Experiences) Initiative Toolkit: https://positiveexperience.org/blog/new-resource-hope-education-toolkit/
- Focuses on relationships, environments, engagement opportunities, emotional growth
- Includes checklists, posters, worksheets, and literature review
Parent Support Groups
- English Group: Pasco Library, 1st and 3rd Fridays, 12-1pm
- Spanish Group: Pasco Library, 1st and 3rd Mondays
- No registration required; babies welcome
- Support for pregnant and postpartum parents
Childcare IAQ Project Progress
- 46 facilities visited since August 2024
- 45 in-home facilities
- 1 child care center
- Distribution: 37 Pasco, 5 Kennewick, 2 Benton City, 2 Prosser
- Providing free air purifiers with 2-year filter replacement
- Resource binder includes guidance on respiratory illnesses, norovirus, COVID-19
Current Health Trends
- Respiratory illness rates at lowest levels (June 2025)
- End of school year saw increase in norovirus and hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Successfully managed outbreak situations through school partnerships
Upcoming Events and Announcements
- Vaccine Clinic: June 10th, 2-6pm at McLoughlin Middle School (DOH/PSD)
- Care-a-Van Mobile Health Services suspending operations June 30th, 2025
- School Nurse Back-to-School Meeting being planned (date TBD)
- Fall conference anticipated for late September/early October 2025
