Andrea Foster joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as the two discuss how integrating health services within school systems enhances student well-being and functions as a vital strategy to prevent human trafficking. Andrea Foster Andrea Foster is currently the administrator of Integrated Health within Student Services for the Orange County Department of Education. She provides supportive services and resources to promote healthy environments for over 400,000 students and their families across the county. She wants students to be able to access their education and become productive, successful adults. She has 24 years of school nursing experience across multiple settings and was recently a guest speaker at the annual Ensure Justice Conference. Key Points MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) is a tiered framework that supports students at all levels—from universal interventions like screenings to highly individualized health or academic plans. Integrated Health addresses the intersection of medical, emotional, and academic needs, ensuring students are supported holistically across environments. Schools function as safety nets, especially when community awareness of MTSS allows families to engage with school systems more effectively. Staff training to identify red flags and behavioral patterns is crucial in creating trusting environments where students feel safe to share concerns. Rather than punitive responses to tardiness or behavioral issues, staff are encouraged to approach students and families with empathy and support. Programs like “Handle With Care” and “FOCUS” facilitate communication from families to schools when a child may need extra care without disclosing private details. Health education in schools—whether related to chronic conditions, substance use, or injury prevention—empowers students to make informed choices. Digital wellness is a growing area of focus, emphasizing safe, intentional use of technology and awareness of harmful online challenges. Students should be taught to critically evaluate online prompts, understand data privacy, and self-advocate when something feels unsafe or inappropriate. Empowering students to self-advocate helps them protect themselves and their peers, especially when navigating online platforms. Every child needs at least one trusted adult; school staff can foster these relationships by creating open, safe environments for honest conversations. Community involvement—through school board engagement, volunteering, or partnerships—can strengthen schools' ability to support students and families effectively. Resources Andrea Foster on LinkedIn Transcript [00:00:00] Sandie Morgan: Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast. I'm Dr. Sandie Morgan, and this is the show where we equip you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in the fight to end human trafficking here at the Global Center for Women in Justice Vanguard University. This is episode number 343, integrating Health Services in school strategies to keep students safe. Andrea Foster is currently the administrator of Integrated Health within the student services for the division of the Orange County Department of Education. She provides supportive services and resources to promote healthy environments to over 400,000 students and their families across. County. She wants students to be able to access their education and become productive, successful adults. She has 24 years of school nursing experience across [00:02:00] multiple settings, and recently she was a guest speaker at our. Annual Ensure Justice Conference, and I think one of the things I loved, Andrea, was how you advocated for where the kids are and what they need. So welcome to the show. Thank you Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. so let's start off first with a little bit of an understanding of where your role in Department of Education fits in this concept of MTSS....

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