Federal
Language to Support School Nurses
The
following message was received from Linda Wolfe, President of NASN.
Below is information sent to us from Eileen Meirer, our GR Consultant
in D.C. It is the Press Release from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's
web site regarding funds for school nurses!!
I think it would be wonderful if Congresswoman McCarthy were to
hear from school nurses across the nation who appreciate her advocacy
for school nurses and children. She is a Democrat from the 4th District
- New York. Her web site is www.house.gov/carolynmccarthy. Her address
is 1224 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3204.
Her fax number is 202 225-5758 and phone is 202 225-5516. Her health/education
person is Joanne Reising. Eileen advises us to send an email or
fax because of the continuing concerns with mail.
FINALLY - - - federal language to support funding for school nurses
and a goal to put a nurse in every school!!!!
McCarthy Delivers Education Results for
Nassau, Wins Fight to Fund School Nurses, Teacher Mentoring, Academic
Intervention & After-School Programs.
Today, Congress passed an innovative, comprehensive education package
that will benefit Nassau County schools and students. "Congress
brightened the future for America's students and this country by
passing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act," McCarthy
said. "I have been working on this legislation in my Education
Committee for the last four years. We owe it to our children to
make these important and promising changes with an eye on their
future.
H.R. 1, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 re-authorizes the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, the primary bill funding
education. The House Education Committee made great strides in boosting
funding resulting in a $4 billion funding increase. Four of McCarthy's
priorities passed in the bill, staying intact after months of debate
in both the House and the Senate. Putting a nurse in every school,
teacher mentoring, funding after-school, and creating academic intervention
programs for troubled students rounded out McCarthy's education
legislative achievements. "Real people, real students and real
lives will be affected by having a nurse in every school, mentoring
teachers, caring for our children after school, and helping teens
who have trouble in school," McCarthy said. "Seeing such
life-changing provisions become law is wholly gratifying."
All remained in the initial legislation passed by the House of Representatives
on May 23, and were included in the conference report passed by
both congressional bodies. Here are details about McCarthy's provisions:
PASSED —
School Nurse Amendment under the Innovative Programs
portion of Title IV allowing schools to use funds to hire school
nurses for their schools. Previously, funds were not specifically
earmarked for this purpose.
PASSED —
Teacher Mentor Amendment under Title II that allows
funds to be used for a mentoring program that prepares, trains and
recruits quality teachers by pairing new teachers with experienced
ones.
PASSED — After-School Amendment
to Title V increased funding from $846 million in Fiscal Year '01
to $1 billion for Fiscal Year '02. McCarthy has been working on
this amendment since the 106th Congress.
PASSED —
Academic Intervention Program amendment under
Title IV allowing schools to use funds to create academic intervention
programs for most-at-risk students, including those who fail to
meet the state academic standards, and students not completing secondary
school. The programs will be run with the assistance of community-based
organizations, and will be conducted during the school day. Activities
include tutoring, counseling, mentoring, enrichment activities,
and college and career counseling. "It was great to see all
of my amendments included in the initial versions of the bill, but
it's even better knowing that they are in the final version,"
McCarthy said. "After all, the legislation we just passed is
the version going to President Bush. It's the end result of a lot
of hard work, and I know it's going to make a huge difference for
our children."
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