Washington County currently operates two SBHC’s at South Hagerstown High School and Western Heights Middle School. Meritus Health assumed administration of the Washington County SBHC’s in 2013 in conjunction with the Washington County Public School System and the Washington County Government. Since the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, there has been a 40% increase in enrollment in the program with a current total of 253 students. In the 2013-2014 school year there were a total of 647 SBHC visits. This school year, the SBHC’s have already recorded 307 health visits.

In addition to medical care and preventative education, students have access to mental health services through Brook Lane, dental care through the Walnut Street Community Health Centers Mobile Dentistry program, and nutritional services through the Meritus Community Outreach Program. The Washington County SBHC’s are currently staffed by one nurse practitioner and one licensed practical nurse 4 days a week, 2 behavioral health counselors 2 days a week each, a nutritionist by appointment. The mobile dentistry program sees students on a rotating schedule. The SBHC is available to all students enrolled in each school and services remain free of charge to all. Students are seen for chronic health management as well as acute illnesses, injuries and preventative health services.

The Wicomico Middle School Wellness Center has operated on the grounds of Wicomico Middle School since 2001. The Wellness Center is sponsored by Wicomico County Health Department in collaboration with Wicomico County Public Schools, providing enrolled students with primary health care including: treatment of acute illnesses and injury, management of chronic illness, immunizations, physical exams, adolescent risk assessments, vision screening, and preventative health services. Behavioral health services include individual and family counseling, addiction counseling and referral, and preventative mental health counseling.

The Wellness Center nurse and nurse practitioners work individually with students regarding obesity prevention interventions. An after-school program provides students with an opportunity to participate in additional physical activity, eat a healthy snack & participate in an interactive “Healthier You” lesson. Additional health education lessons are offered in “Lunch & Learn” format allowing students to eat lunch in the Wellness Center and participate in a health education activity. New for this school year, Wicomico County Health Department’s Dental Clinic will be providing initial dental services to students enrolled in the Wellness Center.

Choptank Community Health System, in conjunction with the Caroline County Board of Education, provides medical and dental services to nine School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) for students and staff. One the busiest and most culturally diverse sites is located at the Greensboro Elementary School in Greensboro, Maryland. The site is in a rural area of Caroline County with a high population of Hispanic residents.

This SBHC staffs a physician’s assistant three days a week that provides medical services – including treatment for minor injuries, illnesses, health education, diagnostic testing and treatment. The bilingual support staff person provides administrative and language services. The SBHC also provides dental services during one period of the school year at the site. The dental team provides oral health screenings, fluoride varnish, sealants and cleanings.

There were 859 students and staff enrolled during the 2013-2014 school year, a 73% enrollment rate, and the SBHC saw 2184 visits from 463 of the enrollees.