School Health Resources
For the thousands of DC children age three (3) and four (4) years old that participate in Head Start programs, the Universal Health Certificate is especially important. This includes all students in PK3 and PK4 classrooms in Title 1 schools. When the forms are not complete, duplicate services may be provided to children to ensure federal requirements are being met. The services of particular importance to the Head Start program include:
- Hearing
- Vision
- Oral Health
- Height and weight or BMI
- Most recent Hemoglobin/ Hematocrit Screen
- Most recent TB test and result and/or risk assessment
- Most recent lead test and result and/or risk assessment
For hearing and vision screens, indicating that a screen was attempted or risk assessment completed on the UHC helps the Head Start programs determine next steps and follow-up with families.
A complete UHC form that meets the DC Periodicity Schedule goes a long way to decreasing duplicative services and to provide families comprehensive services.
Table of Contents
- Welcome
- Information for Providers
- Information for Families
- DC School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
- DC Resources
- Mental Health Resources
- National Resources
- New and Noteworthy
- Important Forms
Welcome
DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) need your help to make sure they have the information they need to meet the health needs of DC students.
The DC Universal Health Certificate (UHC) is the primary mode of communicating a child’s health status to their school and is the main document used by schools to document that a child has received all the services they need. All public school children in the District must submit a completed UHC each year as a part of school enrollment.
The most important way medical professionals can assist is by ensuring they are following the DC Periodicity Schedule and completing all fields on the UHC including the health concerns section that notes any specific health or developmental concerns.
Oral Health Assessments are also required for every student, every year as a part of enrollment, so please encourage families to make an appointment with the dentist if they haven’t already! If caregivers need help locating a dentist, they can call the DC Dental Helpline at 866-758-6807.
If children have additional health care needs that need to be addressed while at school—medication, dietary restrictions, asthma, allergies—please assist caregivers in completing the appropriate health forms to document those needs as well. Remember, school nurses cannot provide medication or any other invasive medical care without a doctor’s orders!
Thank you for helping the District better meet the needs of our students!
New and Noteworthy
Early Stages provides free screenings and evaluations for developmental delays and disabilities in children ages 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months. Anyone can refer a child for a developmental screening or evaluation. Parental consent is required before beginning an evaluation.
Immunization Portal on the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This webpage provides information for schools (DC laws, regulations, and policies); information for families (FAQs, outreach materials, and factsheets); and additional information (contact information and COVID-19 resources).
School Mental Health In Washington, DC. This landing page provides videos and resources on DC's behavioral health services for children and youth in public and public charter schools, DC's current Comprehensive Expansion in School Behavioral Health, and the role of the DC School Behavioral Health Community of Practice to support the Expansion in schools across the city.
Health centers in all eight wards are offering free immunizations for children and teens. Use this map to find the locations of these health centers and if they accept Medicaid HERE.
Read the latest from the DC School Health Services Program, including a description of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model, responsibilities of school health suite staff and school personnel, parent feedback surveys, and frequently asked questions.
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) releases Healthy Youth Resource Guide to all District schools and city-wide organizations that serve youth. Working in conjunction with DC Public Schools and the Public Charter School Board, OSSE created an adolescent health services and support directory for use as guidance for both school staff and organizations that serve youth. OSSE has also developed an online referral tracking system to assist school staff and District organizations in tracking and linking youth to adolescent health services and support.
Important Forms
These forms may be downloaded for use and duplication: