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It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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School Health

Florida Department of Health in Hernando County

The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County and the Hernando County Department of Education implement the School Health Service Plan for over 20,000 students in 23 public and three charter schools in Hernando County. 

Registered nurses from the Florida Department of Health and the Hernando County School District oversee school clinic procedures and the training of clinic staff and faculty in all public and charter schools.

  • Trainings include, but are not limited to: Common pediatric illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis, seizures, cystic fibrosis, medication administration, and immunizations.
Health screenings such as vision, hearing, scoliosis, and body mass Index (BMI) are conducted in targeted grades and in compliance with state mandates. Screenings are offered to the students in targeted grades in private schools as well based upon school request for services. Each student screened will get a school health report card stating the physical findings of these screenings.

The nurses work closely with the school clinic staff to track failed screenings and refer students to local community resources as needed. Some of these resources can provide free vision exams and eyeglasses for qualifying students. Individual health care and emergency plans are written for students with chronic medical conditions which may interfere with their learning environment. 

School health nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. School nurses facilitate positive responses to normal development, promote health and safety, intervene with actual and potential health problems, provide case management services and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self- management, self- advocacy, independence, and ultimately academic success.

The School Health nurses provide education, guidance, and support to school staff, parents, and children. The nurses are liaisons between the school staff and parents, identifying health needs and coordinating health care plans and goals for individual students. 

The School Health Advisory Committee consists of a multi-disciplinary team that meets at least two to three times a year, to provide assistance with reviewing the School Health Services Plan, and offer recommendations for improvements and direction.

For additional information or assistance with a School Health concern, contact your child’s school health nurse.

School Enrollment 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:

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