News

Going into the 2024-2025 school year, NCESD hired two Migrant Nurse Case Managers through a new initiative to support school districts in improving the health and academic success of migrant students across our region. Currently, the NCESD serves the following districts through this program: Cascade School District, Cashmere School District, Ephrata School District, Orondo School District, Quincy School District, and Warden School District.

This enhanced support to these six districts is an expansion on the work NCESD has been doing for decades to support migrant families and students in our region. Maria Navarrete serves districts across the NCESD region as the Migrant Out-of-School Youth and Health Coordinator. Through this work, Navarrete collaborates with schools, families, and community partners to develop holistic case management strategies that address the health needs of migrant students. 

“Many of these students face significant barriers, including mental and physical health issues, trauma, and other challenges that can threaten their academic success,” Navarrete explains. “It is incredibly rewarding to help remove some of these barriers, ensuring students feel supported not only academically but emotionally and physically as well.”

Meeting Students and Families Where They Are

Migrant families often face unique challenges in accessing healthcare, navigating the education system, and advocating for their children’s needs. This can be compounded by language barriers, lack of health insurance, cultural norms around healthcare, and overwhelming work schedules. The Migrant Nurse Case Managers understand these barriers and work closely with families, often visiting them in their homes. This approach allows them to build trust in a familiar environment, addressing health and educational concerns in a setting where families feel at ease.

Meeting students and families where they are allows the case managers to gain a fuller understanding of the family’s unique circumstances and needs. Once barriers are removed, the expectations for migrant students can match those of their peers, empowering them to reach their fullest potential, explains Migrant Nurse Case Manager Deisy Tovar. 

“It’s like our migrant students are running the same race as all other students, but the obstacles are different,” Tovar adds. “Part of our job is to help remove those obstacles, so students and their families can focus on schooling and getting a good education.”

Migrant Out of School Youth and Health Coordinator

“I am deeply committed to breaking down barriers for migratory students and families because I believe in their immense potential.”

Advocating for Health as a Foundation for Academic Success

Health is foundational to a child’s ability to succeed in school. While some families may not realize how interconnected various aspects of health – like dental or vision care – are with academic performance, a Migrant Nurse Case Manager can help educate them while acting as both a healthcare advocate and a bridge to resources.

“There is a misconception that migrant families are uninterested in their children’s health or education,” Migrant Nurse Case Manager Blanca Salgado says. “The reality is that migrant families do care, but are trying to meet their most basic needs like food, shelter, and safety.”

Thanks to their nursing experience, the nurse case managers are equipped to help families address health concerns in relation to the other needs of the family, and then connect them to necessary services.

Migrant School Nurse Case Manager

“Many of the families I encounter are often at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and I strive to help them find the resources they need so they can acquire those basic needs.”

Migrant School Nurse Case Manager

“It’s an advantage to have similar lived experiences as those we serve. I want the migrant families that we serve to know that we, along with all the other community organizations, are here to help.”

Partnering with Schools to Enhance Student Care

The services provided by our Migrant School Nurse Case Managers bridge the gap between the essential healthcare support school districts provide and the additional support some migrant families need to access healthcare. Nurse case managers work closely with district staff, school nurses, and educators to serve as a link between school and home for migrant students. While district school nurses provide excellent day-to-day health support, the case managers offer additional resources, home visits, and continuity of care that are difficult for schools to achieve on their own.

Samantha Jerome, BSN, RN, the school nurse at Cascade School District in Leavenworth, said that the additional support of Salgado as the Migrant Nurse Case Manager has already made an impact in the few short months the program began.

“Families who may be new to our community, our country, and our school district can be disconnected from health resources that are vital to their student’s success,” Jerone said. “The additional support from Blanca means that these families increase their connection to our community which increases the success for students and families.”

Photos: With the coordination assistance of Migrant School Nurse Case Manager, Blanca Salgado, Cashmere School District hosted a Health Fair on November 13, 2024 for their migrant families to learn about the available resources in the region.

Having a Migrant School Nurse Case Manager empowers school nurses to focus on immediate student needs, knowing that our team will help bridge long-term health concerns and social barriers. Whether it’s arranging for vaccinations, connecting families with health insurance, or finding resources for vision, nurse case managers provide comprehensive support that enhances student well-being.

“We have a true partner in Blanca,” Jerone added. “She is a team player who is knowledgeable and sincere in her approach to supporting our migrant families. I am truly appreciative of the partnership we are building.”

The Migrant School Nurse Case Manager is also an important resource for other support and services available to migrant students and families in the Cascade School District. The District’s Migrant Graduation Specialist, Jesus Sandoval, helps monitor the progress of middle and high school students. He collaborates with the students’ school teams—including teachers, administrators, counselors, and nurses—to achieve the best possible outcomes for each student.

Additionally, the District has a Migrant Parent Advisory Council (PAC), which identifies the needs of migrant families in the community. The PAC coordinates various events throughout the year, such as health fairs, mental health information nights, high school field trips to colleges, and science programs at the Wenatchee River Institute for summer and after-school activities.

Currently, the Migrant School Nurse Case Manager program is funded through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and is available to specific school districts. If you are interested in learning more about the services offered by our Migrant Education team, please reach out to us!