CCPS is committed to keeping our students safe and healthy! Through our partnership with Choptank Community Health, Caroline County is the only county in Maryland that offers school-based health centers in every one of our schools. Read on to learn more about this program, as well as other health information for students enrolled in Caroline County Public Schools.

Health Screenings

Physical Examination

Every child entering the Maryland public school system for the first time is required to have a physical examination, using the form designated by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Immunizations

All children must have the required State of Maryland immunizations in order to attend school. Parents are responsible for providing proof of immunization to the school prior to the student attending or proof of an appointment for necessary immunizations within 20 calendar days of the first day of school. The School Nurse can explain medical or religious exceptions to immunization requirements.

Medications

All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, including cough drops and ointments, must be kept in the health room with the exception of state mandated emergency medications. Medications must be brought to school by a parent or responsible adult, be in the original labeled container and must be accompanied by a Maryland State School Medication Administration Form signed by both the prescribing medical or dental provider and the parent or legal guardian. A new medication administration form is required at the beginning of each school year for each medication and each time there is a change in dosage or time of administration of a medication. Any medications remaining after the order is discontinued or at the end of the school year will be destroyed unless picked up by a parent or other responsible adult within the designated time frame.

Hearing and Vision Screenings

In accordance with Maryland law, students entering the school system for the first time, entering first grade, and entering eighth grade are screened for potential vision or hearing difficulties unless there is written documentation of testing within the past year from a vision or hearing specialist.

For more information about children's vision, please visit this website.

In partnership with Choptank Community Health System (CCHS), CCPS offers health services to students during the school day through School Based Health Centers (SBHC). These centers, currently offered at all CCPS schools, are staffed by CCHS nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistant. Dental services are also offered at each school once a year.

Parents/legal guardians may enroll their children in these programs by completing the SBHC enrollment form:

Student Enrollment Forms - English | Spanish | Haitian Creole

Staff Enrollment Form

Federal and state regulations require all providers, including Choptank Community Health System (CCHS), to bill all patients for School Based Health Center program services. The Medicaid programs cover School Based Health Center charges. If your child has health insurance, CCHS will bill the insurance company for health services and follow the billing requirements associated with your plan. Depending on your insurance plan, you may receive a bill from CCHS for copays, unmet deductibles and any non-covered services. If CCHS is not a participating provider with your insurance plan, you will be billed directly for services. If you do not have insurance, CCHS offers a sliding fee scale. Patients on the sliding fee scale will be billed based upon their income. All patients are eligible to apply for the sliding fee program even if they have insurance. Finally, the cost associated with lab services will be billed to your insurance. Bills for these tests will come directly from the lab company.

The only exception to this is sports physicals the center has been requested to perform by a parent or guardian. These are not billed to insurance and are free of charge.

Accident Insurance

The school system does not carry medical insurance for accidents that occur at school, including non-sport related injuries, such as trips and falls, physical education injuries, and recess/playground injuries. Thus, parents are encouraged to enroll students in the accident insurance program offered through CCPS.

Student Accident Insurance

Medical Insurance

The Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) is available for families, pregnant women, and children in need of medical insurance. Applications are available through the school health assistant or by contacting the Caroline County Health Department at 410-479-8030.