title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Springfield Public Schools, 900 W. Edwards, Springfield, IL 62704. vrogers@springfield.k12.il.us.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 800 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. csalzeider@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salzeider
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 800 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. lholzum@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holzum
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 800 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. tmilbrandt@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Milbrandt
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Research, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 800 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. wzahnd@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zahnd
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 800 N. Rutledge Street, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. mpuczynski@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puczynski
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration; D010808:Physical Examination; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: academic health centers; school health services; school-based immunizations; school-community partnerships