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The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach. The Friday Beat is a free publication of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.
Updated Unassigned Epinephrine Reporting Form
School districts, open-enrollment charter schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education must report the administration of unassigned epinephrine. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has updated the required unassigned administered epinephrine form to align with Texas Education Code, Section 38.209 and Section 51.883. Reach out to the DSHS School Health Program at SchoolHealth@dshs.texas.gov if you have any questions.
School Reports: Medications for Respiratory Distress, Epinephrine, and Opioid Antagonists
Texas schools must report to DSHS when they administer unassigned epinephrine, medication for respiratory distress, and opioid antagonists to students. DSHS creates reports based on this information and posts the forms on the School Health Program website. You can view data for the 2024-2025 school year about medications for respiratory distress, epinephrine, and opioid antagonists.
Updated School Health and Related Services Handbook
Texas Education Agency has updated the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) Handbook. This update includes new codes for audiology services and new guidelines for personal care service provider qualification. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) also released responses to public comments about proposed policy changes. Please email questions to HHSC SHARS Medical Policy at MedicaidBenefitRequest@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program Seeking Stakeholder Feedback on rules
The Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program (VHSS) seeks stakeholder feedback on proposed amendments to program rules in the Texas Administrative Code (25 TAC Section 37 Subchapter C). Proposed amendments include HB-1297 (88 R) implementation. The proposed rules are published in the Texas Register beginning on page 6,639. VHSS will receive feedback until November 17, 2025. After this date, stakeholder feedback will no longer be accepted. Please send feedback to VHSSProgram@dshs.texas.gov and include “Rules Feedback” in the subject line.
Texas School Safety Center Needs Assessment
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) at Texas State University needs your expertise and insight into your school safety trainings, resources, service needs, and preferences. The survey is confidential and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. TxSSC will use the survey results to create training programs and resources for K-12 schools, open-enrollment charter schools, and community colleges. The survey is open through December 8, 2025.
National Diabetes Month 2025
November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and join together in the work for a cure. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases shares healthy living with diabetes information. DSHS also offers resources for families with children living with diabetes in Texas. Share with students, families, and school staff this upcoming month.
Youth School Safety Program
The TxSSC launched the Youth School Safety Program to involve students in improving school safety. This statewide program focuses on understanding students’ views and experiences. The program provides 6th-12th grade students with opportunities to share their opinions and work on safety initiatives, violence prevention, and building connections with their peers. The program also promotes positive social norms and prepares students by raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs using youth-friendly resources. Visit the Youth School Safety Program to learn more about all that it offers.
2025 National School District Wellness Coalition Annual In-Person Convening
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) and Kaiser Permanente are hosting the 2025 National School District Wellness Coalition In-Person Convening from November 12-14, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. At this event, participants will learn how to bring teams together to support student wellness, improve student mental health with community help, create supportive environments for staff to avoid burnout, and provide services that strengthen families and support communities. Join a national group where innovative ideas lead to action, and schools help create healthier futures. To learn more and register, visit the AFHK webpage.
Start the Conversation: A Training for Parents and Caregivers
Trusted adults, including parents and caregivers, play a vital role in preventing youth tobacco and nicotine use. AFHK is hosting The Start the Conversation: How to Talk with Young People about Vaping and Other Nicotine Products workshop on November 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. During the virtual workshop, parents and caregivers of young people, ages 11-24, will learn about ways to talk about vaping with an open mind and accurate information. Register on the AFHK webpage.
Family Exercise Ideas for Every Season
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics published ways for families to engage in physical activity together in every season. The Academy encourages families to aim for a goal of 30 minutes of daily moderate activity for adults and 60 minutes for kids, regardless of the weather.
Food Safety Emergency Response Pocket Guide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service helps school nutrition professionals prevent foodborne illness during emergencies and disasters. They provide a pocket guide, posters, and other resources. These materials are also available in Spanish on the Food Safety Emergency Response webpage.
First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST)
The American Red Cross offers the FAST course at no charge to high school students. This course teaches participants to prepare for bleeding emergencies, communicate with emergency dispatchers, and care for people with life-threatening bleeding. Become a Red Cross training provider for the FAST course by registering your school.
Partnering with Schools to Improve Mental Health
The School-Based Health Alliance and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions teamed up to create a resource to improve youth mental health. This partnership shows how schools and community mental health organizations can effectively work together and make a positive impact. For more information, view the PDF guide.
Take Care of Texas Video Contest
Take Care of Texas is hosting a Student Video Contest to teach young people about protecting the environment. Middle school and high school students can create a 30-second video that shows positive ways to “Take Care of Texas”. The contest gives an opportunity to students to use creative ways to share their knowledge of how to protect the environment. The contest sponsor, Waste Management of Texas, Inc., will award prizes to the creators of the best videos. The contest is open through December 5, 2025.
Transition Planning Resources for Families
Texas Education Agency’s Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) helps families with kids who have special health needs by providing resources to make it easier for kids to move from school to life after school. Share with school staff and parents.
“You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.” –Albert Camus
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The articles and hyperlinks to external websites appearing in Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Other websites may not be accessible to people with disabilities. External email addresses may also be provided as a courtesy. If you choose to correspond, please be advised that DSHS policies may not apply. For information about any of the programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about Friday Beat, email the School Health Program at schoolhealth@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7279.
Public Domain. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.
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