Karla Bass, BSN, RN

Before coming to the Florida Department of Education, Karla served as the Interim School Nurse Administrator and Registered School Nurse Consultant at the Florida Department of Health in the Bureau of Community Health Promotion, School Health Services Program. Prior to working at the state health office, Karla worked 16 years at the local county health department level in the areas of school health, maternal-child health, clinic services, immunizations and epidemiology. She is member of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), Florida Association of School Nurses (FASN) and Florida School Health Association (FSHA).

As the School Nurse Consultant with the Student Support Services Project at the Florida Department of Education, Karla:

• Provides guidance, support and technical assistance related to Florida school health policy and procedures
• Collaborates with districts to promote current, evidenced-based best practices in nursing and school health services to address the health needs of every student
• Supports school nurses as vital healthcare professionals in the educational setting as clinicians, advocates, educators and leaders
• Conducts analyses of proposed legislation and assists in the development and implementation of State Board of Education rules
• Encourages partnerships between families, schools, and community agencies for student health and academic success
• Serves as a liaison to the FDOE , state and community departments and agencies, and professional associations

Karla has a strong desire to support school nurses and school support staff to positively impact the social, emotional, behavioral, mental and physical health of students and the school community.