School Health Services
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, School Health Services (SHS), in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), provides services to assure the health, safety, and well-being of over 156,000 students enrolled in MCPS schools.
SHS School Community Health Nurses (SCHNs) (registered nurses) and School Health Room Technicians (certified nursing assistants) who work under the clinical oversight of a SCHN, provide school health services to students during school hours.
SHS assesses the health needs of students, provides sick and emergency care, monitors to assure immunization compliance, manages communicable diseases, administers medications and treatments to students who have authorized health care provider’s orders, and maintains student health records. SHS staff members refer families of eligible uninsured students to the Montgomery County Office of Eligibility and Special Services.
SCHNs provide consultation on health issues related to Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Accommodation Plans. They provide case management for students with special health needs and chronic health conditions and link students and families to community resources.
SHS collaborates with public and private partners to plan and implement prevention initiatives to address community-wide public health concerns, such as childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes, oral health, minority disparities, and barriers to health care.
The Hearing and Vision Programs conduct screenings to identify and refer students at risk for hearing and vision problems. Screening sessions are scheduled during the school year for children in preschool, kindergarten, Grades 1 and 8, and by teacher referral.
The School Health Lead Program assures compliance with Maryland requirements by notifying parents of students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and Grade 1 of requirements to complete the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Blood Lead Testing Certificate.
SHS oversees the Head Start Early Childhood Program’s health services, which provides screenings and links students to medical and dental services.
SHS staff members working at the SHS Immunization Center, colocated with the MCPS Division of School Counseling, Residency, and International Admissions at the Rocking Horse Road Center, provide immunizations and tuberculosis screenings to newly enrolling international students and to students returning to the U.S. after living abroad for one year or more.
All School-based Health and Wellness Centers provide services to students who enroll, including primary health care, mental health services, and social services. Youth development programs are offered at the high school level.
School-Based Health/Wellness Centers are located at:
- Broad Acres Elementary School
- Gaithersburg Elementary School (which also serves Rosemont and Washington Grove elementary schools)
- Harmony Hills Elementary School
- Highland Elementary School
- New Hampshire Estates Elementary School (which also serves Oak View Elementary School)
- Rolling Terrace Elementary School
- Summit Hall Elementary School (which also serves Rosemont and Washington Grove elementary schools)
- Viers Mill Elementary School
- Weller Road Elementary School
School-Based Wellness Centers are located at:
- Gaithersburg High School
- Northwood High School
- Watkins Mill High School
- Wheaton High School
If parents/guardians have questions about health services at their child’s school, please contact the SCHN assigned to your child’s school.
Important Forms
Form 525-12: Authorization to Provide Medically Prescribed Treatment
Form 525-12: Autorización para Proveer Tratamiento Médico Prescrito
Form 525-13: Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medication
Form 525-13: Autorización para Suministro de Medicamento Recetado
Form 525-14: Emergency Care for the Management of a Student with a Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis
Form 525-14: Atención do Emergencia para Estudiantes con Diagnóstico de Anafilaxia
Form 345-22: Physical Education Physician Contact Form
Form 560-30: Medical Card for Athletes
Form 560-30:Tarjeta Médica del Atleta
Form SR-5: Health Screenings
Form SR-6: Health Inventory
Form SR-6: Expediente de Examen Físico de las Escuelas de Maryland
Form SR-8: Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
Form SR-8: Examen Físico Previo a Participación en Deportes
Form DHMH 896: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Immunization Certificate
Additional forms related to student health are available here. Many of these forms are available in French, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Korean, and Amharic.
