School Health
The School Health program, in partnership with Dorchester County Public Schools, provides:
- School nurses
- Vision and hearing tests
- Vaccination reviews
- Communicable disease prevention and education
Download school health forms here:
- Physical exam
- Lead Screening
- Medication Administration Authorization
- Diabetes Action Authorization Plan
- Asthma Action Plan
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.
Download Record of Physical Examination Form here (PDF, 254 kb)
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.
Required Vaccines for School Enrollment
For the 2025-2026 school year in Maryland, students need required vaccinations, proof of residency and other necessary documentation for school enrollment.
For enrollment in kindergarten through 6th grade, Maryland students need the recommended doses of the following age-appropriate vaccines:
- DTaP – diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis)
- Polio
- MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella
- chickenpox (Varicella)
- Hepatitis B
Incoming 7th grade students will also need the following vaccines:
- Tdap
- Meningococcal (MCV4)
For more information on back-to-school vaccination requirements, please visit: Back-to-School Vaccine Requirements
If you need vaccination records for enrollment in school or extracurricular activities for your child, you can talk to your family health provider, visit your provider’s patient portal, or use MyIR.
Parents are responsible for providing proof of vaccination to the school prior to the student attending or proof of an appointment for necessary vaccinations within 20 calendar days of the first day of school. The school nurse can explain medical or religious exemptions to vaccination 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.
Download Medication Authorization Administration here (PDF, 210 kb)
Lead Screening
Evidence of blood testing is required for all students who reside in a designated at-risk area when first entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and 1st grade.
Download Blood Lead Testing Certificate here (PDF, 903 kb)
When Your Child is Sick
Parents should keep their child home from school because of a serious illness, injury or a condition that can be passed on to other children.
Although no comprehensive list is possible, the following conditions may be considered appropriate reasons to keep a student home from school:
Some Reasons for Keeping a Child Home from School
- Vomiting
- Temperature 100 °F or greater. Children with a fever (> 100 °F) must stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- Abdominal pain
- Earache
- Head injury
- Adverse medication effect
- Suspected fracture
- Chest pain
- Severe pain
- Severe shortness of breath or wheezing
Symptoms of Possible Communicable Conditions
- Vomiting
- Loose stools/diarrhea
- Suspected communicable disease
- Nuisance condition not currently being treated, e.g., ringworm, scabies, head lice
- Red, draining eyes
- Persistent runny nose with yellow/green discharge, accompanied by fever
- Productive cough, accompanied by fever
- Undiagnosed rash
Parents should consult with their doctor for advice and/or treatment of the conditions or symptoms listed here.
For more information about the school health program, call Marcia Spicer at 410-901-6950, ext 3448.
School-Based Wellness Centers
The Dorchester County School-based Wellness Center Program is dedicated to promoting accessible, quality school-based health care for children and youth. School-based health care is built upon mutual respect and collaboration between school personnel and health providers to promote health and educational success.
The program provides health and mental health services at county public schools and works with the child’s primary medical care provider. Wellness centers supplement and complement school health services (the “school nurse”).
Program Goals
- To promote positive health behaviors and encourage primary prevention and wellness
- To provide behavioral health and mental health counseling; as well as prevention services
- To improve the access to preventive and primary care
- To increase health knowledge and enhance positive decision-making skills
- To support educational goals
- To provide health care in conjunction with primary care physicians
Services Provided
- Acute medical care for injuries, illnesses, and new symptoms/problems
- Periodic medical care for ongoing conditions (i.e.: asthma, allergies)
- Preventive care including physical exams, sports physicals, vaccinations, reproductive health care, contraception, health screenings & education
- Referrals as needed, prescriptions, imaging orders, and lab work as indicated
- If a student needs mental health services, a licensed mental health clinician will meet with the parent/guardian and obtain additional consent.
How Do We Care for Your Child?
- We involve you
- We keep all records confidential according to state and federal law
- We notify your child’s primary care physician of any treatment and recommended follow-up
- We prescribe and/or dispense medications and monitor the student’s response to the medications
- We make referrals and coordinate outside services
Center Staff Includes:
- Certified Nurse Practitioners
- Licensed Certified Professional Counselors
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Office Support Staff
Locations
- Mace’s Lane Middle School, (410) 228-0973
- North Dorchester Middle School, (410) 943-3275
- Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, (410) 228-3825
- North Dorchester High School, (410) 943-3316
With a parent’s approval, services are available to all students in schools with wellness centers. For more information, call Mindy Black-Kelly at 443-521-1662 (cell), 410-901-8177 (office).
Enrollment
All students and school staff are eligible to receive these services and may enroll as follows:
- A student enrollment and history form must be completed once, with an updated form completed each year thereafter.
- Parents/guardians must sign the consent to treat form.
- Insurance companies will be billed if information is provided. Parents will receive a bill for insurance co-pays and deductibles.
- If your child does not have insurance, please let us know! They may be eligible for programs that are no or low cost. All children will be treated regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
- Parents/guardians will be billed for services provided to uninsured students. A sliding fee scale (see below) is available if you provide income and household size information on the enrollment form.
2026 Sliding Fee Schedule
Dorchester County School-Based Wellness Centers
| Family Size | 100% Discount | 90% Discount | 80% Discount | 70% Discount | 60% Discount | 50% Discount | 40% Discount | 30% Discount | 20% Discount | 15% Discount | 10% Discount | 0% Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Level | 100% FPL | 110% FPL | 120% FPL | 130% FPL | 140% FPL | 150% FPL | 160% FPL | 170% FPL | 180% FPL | 190% FPL | 200% FPL | More than 200% |
| 1 | $15,960 | $17,556 | $19,152 | $20,748 | $22,344 | $23,940 | $25,536 | $27,132 | $28,728 | $30,324 | $31,920 | > $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $23,804 | $25,968 | $28,132 | $30,296 | $32,460 | $34,624 | $36,788 | $38,952 | $41,116 | $43,280 | > $43,280 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $30,052 | $32,784 | $35,516 | $38,248 | $40,980 | $43,712 | $46,444 | $49,176 | $51,908 | $54,640 | > $54,640 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $36,300 | $39,600 | $42,900 | $46,200 | $49,500 | $52,800 | $56,100 | $59,400 | $62,700 | $66,000 | > $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $42,548 | $46,416 | $50,284 | $54,152 | $58,020 | $61,888 | $65,756 | $69,624 | $73,492 | $77,360 | > $77,360 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $48,796 | $53,232 | $57,668 | $62,104 | $66,540 | $70,976 | $75,412 | $79,848 | $84,284 | $88,720 | > $88,720 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $55,044 | $60,048 | $65,052 | $70,056 | $75,060 | $80,064 | $85,068 | $90,072 | $95,076 | $100,080 | > $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $61,292 | $66,864 | $72,436 | $78,008 | $83,580 | $89,152 | $94,724 | $100,296 | $105,868 | $111,440 | > $111,440 |
| Each Additional Person | +$5,680 | +$6,248 | +$6,816 | +$7,384 | +$7,952 | +$8,520 | +$9,088 | +$9,656 | +$10,224 | +$10,792 | +$11,360 |
How to Read This Chart (Example)
Let’s say you have a Family Size of 4 and your total yearly household income is $45,000.
- Find 4 in the “Family Size” column on the far left.
- Follow that row to the right to find where your income fits. Since $45,000 is more than $42,900 but less than $46,200, you will fall into the $46,200 bracket.
- Look at the top of that column: your family would qualify for a 60% Discount on services.
Enrollment Forms
You can fill out the enrollment forms online at:
School-based Wellness Center Online Enrollment (English)
School-based Wellness Center Online Enrollment (Spanish)
You can download the forms here:
School-based Wellness Center Enrollment Form 2025-26 (English, PDF download)
School-based Wellness Center Enrollment Form 2025-26 (Spanish, PDF download)
You also can contact your child’s school to get an enrollment form.
If your child is currently enrolled, please download and complete the update form.
School-based Wellness Center Annual Update (English, PDF download)
School-based wellness centers are operated by the Dorchester County Health Department in collaboration with the Dorchester County Board of Education. The program is partly supported by funds from the Maryland Department of Health.
Healthy Families Dorchester
You are the most important person in your child’s life – we will support you in making that relationship strong from the start!
Our staff can help you connect with community resources and if you are interested in home visiting services, we will bring the latest information on pregnancy and parenting to you. Visits include activities to promote child development and school readiness – learning starts at birth!
All pregnant people and families with newborns living in Dorchester County are eligible. For more information, please contact our program office at 410-901-8172.
Connecting for Success
This program serves Dorchester County children and families affected by incarceration. For more information, call Mindy Black-Kelly at 443-521-1662 (cell), 410-901-8177 (office).
Services include:
- Re-entry planning and case management for currently incarcerated parents
- Outreach and case management for justice-involved parents in the community
- Jail and community-based classes such as “Parenting Inside Out,” “Getting Ahead While Getting Out,” and skill-building group sessions
Case managers help incarcerated parents with:
- setting goals
- a smoother transition home
- connecting with needed community resources and supports
- strengthening support systems