The goal of school health services is to ensure that students are healthy, in school, and ready to learn. Services are provided in accordance with a local School Health Services Plan jointly developed by the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County and School Board of DeSoto County.
In cooperation with the Department of Education, the School Health Services Program provides the services mandated in Florida statute sections 381.0056, 381.0057, and 402.3026. School health services are intended to minimize health barriers to learning for public school students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
To help ensure the provision of safe and appropriate county level school health services, the Florida Department of Health School Health Program office provides funding, technical assistance, and oversight of health services provided in Florida’s public schools.
Oak Street Clinic
1031 E. Oak St.
Arcadia, FL 34266
863-231-6544
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
State funding for the school health services program is supplemented by funding from local school districts and community partners and consists of three components: Basic School Health Services, Comprehensive School Health Services, and Full Service Schools.
School health’s Core Services
- Nursing assessments
- Referrals and follow-up for suspected or confirmed health problems.
- Individualized health care plan development
- In-school care management for chronic and acute health conditions
- Communicable disease prevention and intervention
- Health counseling
- Assistance with medication administration and health care procedures
- First aid and emergency health services
- Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis, and Growth and Development screenings
School Entry Requirements
Evidence of a Physical Exam
Must be completed within 12 months prior to the child’s school entry date. Parents may submit the School Entry Health Exam (DH 3040) or provide a copy of an exam obtained from their current health care provider that includes the components of DH 3040.
Parents should obtain a copy of their child’s medical history/medical exam before leaving their current state of residency when moving to Florida.
Florida Certification of Immunization or Exemption
Prior to entry, attendance or transfer to preschools, school (public/private k-12), licensed childcare facilities, and family daycare homes, each child shall have on file one of the following: