School Health

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 12^th 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.

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.

Core Services of the School Health Services Program are:

• Nursing assessments
• Health counseling
• 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
• Assistance with medication administration and health care procedures
• Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis, and Growth and Development screenings
• First aid and emergency health services
• Communicable disease prevention and intervention

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:

• Florida Certification of Immunization (Form DH 680)
• Florida Religious Exemption from Immunization (Form DH 681)

Location and Contact Information 

Oak St. Primary Clinic
1031 E. Oak St.
Arcadia, FL 34266

The School Health Office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information, call 863-231-6544.