SHINE
(School Health Information and Nurse Education)
MTPLC + Montana Pediatrics Partner to Continue SHINE School Health Workshops!
SHINE is a free monthly virtual education series created by Montana Pediatrics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving child health across the state. The program supports educators, school nurses, and staff by providing expert-led discussions on topics related to student health, mental wellness, and school-based supports.
The SHINE series aims to strengthen the connection between health and education by offering practical, accessible professional learning. It helps equip educators, counselors, administrators, and support staff with the tools to better address student well-being and resilience.
Learn more about MT Pediatrics at: https://www.montanapediatrics.org/
What SHINE Offers:
Next session:
🗓️ March 12, 2026
Healthy Sleep for Growing Minds and Bodies
Join us for an evidence-based session with Dr. Cara Palmer, Associate Professor of Psychology at Montana State University and director of the Sleep and Development Lab. Dr. Palmer will share insights from her extensive research on why many children and adolescents struggle to get adequate sleep, how sleep patterns influence emotional wellbeing and daily functioning, and practical strategies to support healthy sleep habits in youth. Participants will learn actionable approaches for promoting healthy sleep hygiene at home and school settings, and why prioritizing sleep is essential for children's overall health and academic success.
Presenter: Cara Palmer, PhD - Associate Professor, Montana State University, Director of Sleep and Development Lab.
Register at: https://forms.gle/JK8em9KzqS3FhCPx7
🗓️ February 12, 2026
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Schools: Practical Supports, IEP/504 Considerations, and When to Refer
This session helps school teams understand feeding challenges (including Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) as a school access and participation issue—especially during lunch, snack, and daily routines—and provides clear guidance on practical accommodations, team roles, and when to refer.
🗓️ December 11, 2025 - Supporting Students with Depression: Warning Signs, Response Strategies, and School-Based Resources
🗓️ November 13, 2025 - 🩺 Title: Type 1 Diabetes – What Is It and What Can We Do to Help?
Important Notes
Learn more about SHINE: https://www.montanapediatrics.org/shine-school-health-information-nurse-education/
(School Health Information and Nurse Education)
MTPLC + Montana Pediatrics Partner to Continue SHINE School Health Workshops!
SHINE is a free monthly virtual education series created by Montana Pediatrics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving child health across the state. The program supports educators, school nurses, and staff by providing expert-led discussions on topics related to student health, mental wellness, and school-based supports.
The SHINE series aims to strengthen the connection between health and education by offering practical, accessible professional learning. It helps equip educators, counselors, administrators, and support staff with the tools to better address student well-being and resilience.
Learn more about MT Pediatrics at: https://www.montanapediatrics.org/
What SHINE Offers:
- Monthly virtual sessions on the second Thursday of each month, 3–4 PM throughout the school year
- Free participation for all Montana educators and school professionals
- Expert speakers from across the state in both education and healthcare
- OPI renewal units available for attendees
- Responsive topics tailored to real challenges and participant feedback
Next session:
🗓️ March 12, 2026
Healthy Sleep for Growing Minds and Bodies
Join us for an evidence-based session with Dr. Cara Palmer, Associate Professor of Psychology at Montana State University and director of the Sleep and Development Lab. Dr. Palmer will share insights from her extensive research on why many children and adolescents struggle to get adequate sleep, how sleep patterns influence emotional wellbeing and daily functioning, and practical strategies to support healthy sleep habits in youth. Participants will learn actionable approaches for promoting healthy sleep hygiene at home and school settings, and why prioritizing sleep is essential for children's overall health and academic success.
Presenter: Cara Palmer, PhD - Associate Professor, Montana State University, Director of Sleep and Development Lab.
Register at: https://forms.gle/JK8em9KzqS3FhCPx7
🗓️ February 12, 2026
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Schools: Practical Supports, IEP/504 Considerations, and When to Refer
This session helps school teams understand feeding challenges (including Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) as a school access and participation issue—especially during lunch, snack, and daily routines—and provides clear guidance on practical accommodations, team roles, and when to refer.
- Participants will learn to:
- recognize school-based impact signs
- distinguish school accommodations vs. medical treatment
- apply practical, low-pressure supports
- clarify school team roles and collaboration
- identify red flags requiring referral
🗓️ December 11, 2025 - Supporting Students with Depression: Warning Signs, Response Strategies, and School-Based Resources
- In this 1-hour SHINE session, the Rural Behavioral Health Institute (RBHI) will guide participants through a practical, school-focused understanding of depression in children and adolescents. Educators are often among the first to notice changes in a student’s mood, engagement, or behavior, yet may feel uncertain about how to respond or where to seek additional support. This session provides clear, actionable strategies to help school staff identify early signs of depression, respond with confidence and compassion, and connect students and families to appropriate resources.
Participants will learn how depressive symptoms commonly appear in school settings, including what may be mistaken as academic or behavioral problems. The session also covers safe, supportive communication approaches and outlines the evidence-based tools and supports offered through RBHI’s Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) framework. By the end of the hour, educators will leave with increased confidence in recognizing risk factors, supporting student well-being, and partnering with school and community systems of care.
Kayleigh Brown is the Chief Operating Officer of the Rural Behavioral Health Institute (RBHI), a Montana-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening school-based mental-health systems in rural communities. Drawing on both personal experience and professional expertise, Kayleigh leads RBHI’s work in universal mental-health screening, early intervention, and connecting students to timely, evidence-based support. Her leadership helps schools create safer, more responsive environments where youth mental health needs are identified early and addressed with care.
🗓️ November 13, 2025 - 🩺 Title: Type 1 Diabetes – What Is It and What Can We Do to Help?
- Presented by: Tonya Fuhrmann, LPN/Founder & Executive Director, Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance
- 🔍 Description: What is Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), really—and how does it impact students in the school setting?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. In this session, Tonya Fuhrmann will break down what that means in everyday terms and explore how educators and school staff can best support students living with T1D.
Participants will also receive valuable resources and contacts through the Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance to help provide better care and connection for students with Type 1 Diabetes in your schools.
Important Notes
- 📢 Session topics will be announced monthly throughout the school year to remain responsive to participant needs and current issues impacting schools.
- 🎥 All presentations will be recorded, and session recordings and materials/resources will be shared with registered participants after each session.
- 🚫 AI note-takers or automated recordings are not permitted during live sessions to protect presenter and participant privacy.
Learn more about SHINE: https://www.montanapediatrics.org/shine-school-health-information-nurse-education/