Grain Valley health director reports stocked emergency meds, rising health‑room use and training efforts

Denise Holmberg, director of health services for Grain Valley R‑V Schools, told the school board the district has started stocking emergency medications including inhalers and nasal naloxone, expanded CPR training for staff and volunteers, and recorded more than 35,000 health‑room visits during the 2023–24 school year.

Holmberg said the district reports communicable‑disease and symptom counts weekly to the Jackson County Health Department and still performs mandatory vision and hearing screenings in elementary schools. She said the district screens kindergarten, first, third and fifth graders and refers students for follow up when needed; special‑education students receive annual screenings.

Holmberg described several changes and supports: the district has begun stocking inhalers and nasal naloxone (Narcan) in all buildings, keeps emergency medication cabinets for students with known conditions, and has obtained EpiPens through a federal “EpiPens for Schools” grant. She said Narcan kits were donated in part after the district partnered with North Kansas City Hospital for community education; the hospital provided an initial supply of…