Childrens Center Staff Receive In-Service Training from Nursing Instructor

Margaret Buttross-Brinegar, director of The Children's Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi wants her staff to be as prepared as possible for any emergency situations that might arise during the 2010-2011 academic year.

To that end the Children's Center has partnered with the School of Nursing to provide in-service training each semester on procedures such as dispensing emergency medications for childhood allergic reactions and seizures as well as addressing other medically related matters.

School of Nursing instructor Kathy Johnson, R.N., M.S.N., conducted the first of these training programs on Friday, Aug. 20. Johnson will serve as the Nursing Healthcare Consultant for the Children's Center.

“Having Kathy avail herself to the teaching staff of The Children's Center provides an important addition to our comprehensive list of services for children with disabilities and their families,” said Buttross-Brinegar. “Because of the medical frailties of many of our young students, we are assured that we will have assistance when needed and a go-to professional to answer our questions and address our concerns.

“We appreciate the School of Nursing for allowing this collaboration to take place and for Kathy's willingness to serve the Children's Center in this capacity.”

The Children's Center, a United Way agency, opened its doors in 1974 and currently serves approximately 80 children from the South Mississippi area. The center provides an interdisciplinary team approach to the assessment and treatment of communicatively and developmentally delayed children (birth to 5 years).

For more information about the Children's Center call 601.266.5222 or visit www.usm.edu/childrenscenter/index.htm