For Health Care Professionals | Community Education Initiative

The Community Education Initiative is sponsored by the Inpatient Medical Programs.

We're thrilled to be your go-to resource for professional development tailored for school nurses and other dedicated community providers. At Boston Children's Hospital Community Education Initiative (CEI), we understand the vital role you play in the well-being of school-aged children and their families. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of educational opportunities designed to support and enhance your invaluable work.

What we offer

The Community Education Initiative provides flexible and engaging ways to expand your knowledge and skills, including:

• Online courses: Dive into a variety of clinical, mental health, and wellness topics at your own pace.
• School professional day trainings: Bring our expertise directly to your school for a customized learning experience.
• Monthly evening lecture series: Stay current with the latest advancements through our engaging lectures held throughout the school year.
• Annual conferences: Join us in August and November for in-depth discussions and networking opportunities with peers.

Our courses offer both nursing contact hours and professional development points (PDPs), helping you meet your professional requirements.

Emergency Preparedness for School Nurses

• 9 a.m. to noon:  Hands-on practice stations: *Head Injury *Seizures *Orthopedic Injuries — THIS SESSION IS FULL
• 1 to 3 p.m.: *Medical Emergency Response Plans in the School Setting: Staff Training Considerations: Recommendations on how to provide hands-on emergency training for school staff, and running emergency drills in the school building with community partners

(* — Topics subject to change)

The afternoon session will be available via Zoom. You may choose to register for the full day in person ($150) or afternoon only, virtually ($50).

• Register for the event at this link

6.0 nursing contact hours pending/6.0 PDPs are available.

Throughout the school year, the Community Education Initiative hosts a number of evening lectures via Zoom. These lectures will provide you up-to-date information on many issues related to school health.

• All live sessions via Zoom 
• Course length varies and pricing is dependent on how long session is — ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. Please see Lecture Series registration page for specifics
• Purchase orders are accepted and must be emailed to judi.naar@childrens.harvard.edu along with nurse’s name and email address.
• All Zoom access and handouts will be emailed out to all registered attendees the day before each program.

Among the topics being covered this year:

• Managing Difficult Conversations
• ILD & Oxygen Use
• Vaping

Visit the Lecture Series registration page.

Check out our new Teachable School to discover our current selection of pre-recorded lectures that you can register for and complete at your convenience. We're continuously expanding our offerings, so be sure to check back often for new and exciting courses!

Questions? Please email judi.naar@childrens.harvard.edu.

The Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Medical Services & Diabetes Program of the Division of Endocrinology will be hosting their annual Pediatric Diabetes Update: Collaborating for Success in Diabetes Management virtual conference on Nov. 12, Nov. 19, and Dec. 3, 2025. Each session will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

• Registration is now open by visiting this link.

Resource library for school nurses: If there is a resource that you would like to see added to our library, please email judi.naar@childrens.harvard.edu and we will add it.

For questions about programs, please contact:

• Heather Engholm, RN, BSN, MPH: 857-218-4331 or heather.engholm@childrens.harvard.edu
• Leanne Langmaid, MSN, RN, CPN: 617-355-4474 or leanne.langmaid@childrens.harvard.edu

For questions about payment and registration, please contact:

• Judi Naar: judi.naar@childrens.harvard.edu

If you have topic ideas, program ideas, or general feedback and thoughts on how we can improve our program to better serve YOU, the school nurse, let us know by filling out this Community Education Initiative Feedback Form.

We look forward to hearing from you!