Keep Kids in School: A Collaborative Community Effort to Increase Compliance With State-Mandated Health Requirements.

Abstract

BACKGROUND It is important that collaborative relationships exist in a community to improve access to needed services for children. Such partnerships foster preventive services, such as immunizations, and other services that protect the health and well-being of all children. METHODS A collaborative relationship in Illinois involving an academic health center, a school district, and county health department to address noncompliance with health examination and immunization requirements was formed. Parents were additional partners. RESULTS Examinations, screenings, and immunizations increased from previous year baselines. Greater fulfillment of health exam mandates resulted in fewer students (39% fewer) excluded from admission to school. CONCLUSIONS The type of partnerships described is feasible and can result in improved health care for school-aged children who otherwise might be excluded both from health services and from school.