Public Health nurses have unique skills that they use to help their community. A Public Health nurse is a registered nurse who has obtained an additional license in public health. This month, for
Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) Beyond the Call Series, we are introducing you to Sacramento County Public Health nurse Karissa Beran. She has more than four years of nursing experience and is passionate about educating people about staying healthy and helping her community.
“In my role, I work with foster children. So, they already have a high need," explained Karissa. "They're placed in a new home with a foster parent who may or may not be related to them, and these kids need a nurse to come in and have them get connected to medical care and dental care. We do assessments and refer them to specialists."
Karissa's primary goal is to promote the health of the children placed in foster care and the health of their families and caregivers. Part of her job includes conducting home visits.
“There's something special about being invited into someone's home," she said.
At-home visits help Karissa better understand the environment the child is living in and their health needs. Karissa assesses transportation needs and talks to foster families about safety measures like child locks and a child's dietary needs.
“During the home visit, we do an environmental assessment, nutrition assessment, head-to-toe nursing assessment, take growth measurements, developmental assessments, and ask about behavioral or school concerns," said Karissa.
Karissa knows that being placed in foster care can be stressful for a child, and it can be overwhelming for caregivers to navigate all the available resources. The program she is a part of, Hearts 4 Kids, offers 30 to 45 days of nursing support, helping families navigate pediatric care, understand medical histories, and address behavioral concerns.
“We're really here to support our community and promote the health and well-being of kids," said Karissa.
For Karissa, being a nurse for foster youth is more than just a job; it's a way to give back to her community.
“Why not serve your community? We live and work in it every day, so it's an opportunity to give back in a special way," sais Karissa.
Karissa's dedication and passion for helping children and those taking care of them is why she is a perfect example of an employee who goes beyond the call, and that is why DCFAS is proud to feature her in the ongoing video series “
Beyond the Call: Chronicles of Compassion in Child, Family and Adult Services."
Throughout the year, the County will continue to explore different roles within DCFAS, share how workers use their personal experience to better serve those in need, and teach people about the ongoing efforts employees make to better serve Sacramento County.
Watch Karissa's Beyond the Call video feature. 