COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

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Helpful School Nurse Tip: One of the best ways to strengthen your school health program isn't always by increasing your budget—it's by building relationships within your community. Many local organizations are eager to support schools through donations, services, educational programs, and partnerships. The key is simply asking and building those relationships over time. One example? Our local fire department.

A Simple Community Partnership

When I first started at my school, the district spent hundreds of dollars each year disposing of full sharps containers. Those costs added up quickly and took away from the limited budget available for student health supplies.

About seven years ago, I reached out to our local fire department to see if they would be willing to dispose of one full sharps container each year at no cost to the district.

Thankfully, they agreed—and they've continued to provide this valuable service ever since.

That one conversation not only saved our school district money, but it also strengthened an already positive relationship with our local firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

It's a great reminder that sometimes the best solutions come from simply asking.

Think Beyond Your Budget

Community partnerships aren't just about saving money.

They can also provide:

Student and staff education
Health screenings
Guest speakers
Emergency preparedness training
Donated supplies
Volunteer opportunities
Professional expertise
Family support services

Sometimes the greatest value isn't financial—it's knowing who to call when someone needs help.

Community Partners to Consider

Every community is different, but here are a few organizations worth getting to know:

Fire Department
EMS
Local hospitals and healthcare systems
Health Department
Lions Club
Dental clinics
Vision providers
Food pantries
Mental health agencies
Public libraries
Community foundations
Local businesses
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
American Red Cross

For family resources, don't overlook 211.org. It connects families with local assistance for food, housing, utilities, mental health services, transportation, childcare, and many other community programs. You can learn more by visiting 211.org.