This semester, I participated in a service-learning project for a local county jail. As part of this service-learning project, we were put into interprofessional teams. Everyone who was a part of this project met on zoom on September 21^st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. On this zoom, we talked about what this project was for and previous programs that other groups have done in previous years. We also met on October 5^th from 6pm to 8pm on campus for an orientation with a staff member from the jail. This project was designed to provide wellness programs for residents of the jail, including activities like journaling, yoga, and nutrition games. The priority focus of this project is to give jail residents, who are very underserved and often forgotten about, ways to improve their overall health. Personally, I didn’t have much experience with this population, so I did not understand their vulnerability to health imbalances. Attending these meetings educated me on jail resident’s inequities and areas they may need assistance. The residents of the jail face issues of inadequate access to healthy nutrition and unsanitary housing. I would advocate for more healthy food choices during meals and in commissary such as fruits and nuts. I would also advocate for more sanitation in shared spaces such as showers as well as better access to feminine hygiene products. Interprofessional communication and teamwork could help to implement changes to promote health and wellness for jail residents. For example, a nutritionist or dietitian can recommend healthy food changes that would be desirable and easy to access.

            On October 27^th, I attended the CECE event “Hidden Youth: Homelessness among adolescents and young adults in rural communities” from 12pm-1pm on Zoom. The primary focus of this lecture was the impact of homelessness on adolescents and young adults in rural areas. I was surprised to learn that about 2,500 students in the state of Maine reported homelessness. I was concerned about how high that number was and that only accounted for the students who reported homelessness, as some do not report that they are homeless. This event educated me on the prevalence of homelessness and the impact on youth who experience it. Many of them may not have adequate access to proper healthcare and nutrition. I would advocate for better access to free health clinics as well as more access to health screenings in school. I would also advocate for more free meals to be given at school, such as a dinner they can bring with them when they leave school to eat later. As a nurse, my role would be to educate the individual on various topics such as nutrition and overall health. My responsibility would be to report an individual’s homelessness to departments such as the Department of Child and Families.

            On November 11^th from 6pm-7:30pm, I attended the CECE event “Restraint and seclusion in Maine schools” on Zoom. The primary focus of this event was to discuss the use of restraints and seclusion on children in school. I was shocked to learn that restraints were even used in schools. I was also shocked to learn that Maine has the highest amount of restraint use in the country. I feel that restraints and seclusion should only be used in emergent situations and for very short periods of time. The overuse of restraints and seclusion leads children losing their right to autonomy and may induce unnecessary stress in young people. I would advocate for lessening the use of restraints and using safer and less restricting strategies for children who show behavioral issues. As for the values and ethics of restraint use, I believe they are unethical unless used in emergent situations where the safety of the child or others is imminent. Collaborating with other professions such as the teachers, the guidance counselors, and supportive staff of the student would help to create strategies for helping behavioral students and avoid the use of restraints or seclusion.

            The final CECE event I attended was “Prejudiced Patients: Caring for Those who Discriminate Against You”. It was originally held on November 5^th from 12pm-1:30pm on Zoom, however, I viewed the recorded version on the UNE website on November 16^th. The priority focus of this event was to educate ourselves on prejudices used against healthcare providers and how to respond to them. I found this to be very informative, specifically on how to support my peers who may identify as a person of color. Healthcare providers who are discriminated on face feelings of stress and may even feel unsafe. I would advocate for my peer who is being discriminated against and together we can address strategies to reduce the risk of a harmful situation. Using interprofessional teamwork and team-based care, my peers and I could interrupt a discrimination situation and advocate for the victim of the discrimination. Standing together against prejudice helps to eliminate the incidence of it from occurring.