Irish Healthcare

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) provide access to affordable, quality medical and behavioral health care. They provide early identification and treatment of disease and injury. Centers are linked to a decrease in health-related tardiness and school absences, decreased discipline problems and suspensions, and a reduction in school drop-out rates. They focus on prevention so that health problems and risky behaviors can be caught early or prevented altogether. Students are treated quickly, and problems are caught early so they spend more time in class. 

Services within the school-based health center include:

•  Routine health physicals/well-child checks, 
•  Hearing and vision screenings, 
•  Immunizations/vaccinations,
•  Diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and minor injuries, 
•  Management of chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, or sickle cell anemia,
•  Behavioral health assessment and counseling, 
•  Lab testing and related referrals as necessary, 
•  Dental services to include fluoride treatment and cleanings, 
•  Referrals to medical subspecialists and relevant community agencies as necessary, 
•  Health education and promotion activities within the SBHC, and 
• Sports Physicals. 

This center is staffed with a Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant, along with additional support staff depending on the service currently being provided. 

Irish Healthcare will have its soft launch the week of October 28, 2024.  It will be a fully functioning SBHC beginning November 4, 2024.  Once open, the SBHC’s hours of operation will be 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, on days that school is in session.  Summer hours may vary, based on need and staff availability. 

At this time, Irish Healthcare will serve Dublin City Schools students and staff.  Our goal is to eventually extend SBHC services to Dublin City Schools families and community members. However, these additional services will be introduced at a later time.

Parental/legal guardian consent and notification are an essential – and required – part of delivering services to students through the SBHC.  Families have the right to allow their children to utilize SBHC services as they see fit, with the freedom to choose or opt out of any services offered.  Therefore, parents must complete a  Consent Form for Minors prior to a child’s appointment.  Forms are available on the Dublin City Schools’ website and in print at each school nurse’s office.  Once a student is registered, they are registered for an entire school year.  However, new paperwork will be required each August.

Similarly, Dublin City Schools staff and faculty will complete an Adult Consent Form prior to their appointment. 

You will always be notified before your child receives services.  However, having a Consent Form for Minors expedites the care they’re able to receive.  Therefore, we recommend that ALL students have a completed form on file.  Families will receive their initial paper copy of the Irish Healthcare Consent Form for Minors the week of October 14, 2024.  It will also be available on Dublin City Schools’ website and in print at each school nurse’s office.

To make an appointment for a student, Dublin City Schools parents, legal guardians, or staff members should continue referring a child to their school nurse or Clicking the Shamrock for behavioral health support. From there, our school nurses and the Behavioral Health & Wellness Department will assess the situation and make appropriate recommendations to the SBHC. They will also follow up with families to ensure students are connected with the necessary resources.  Please note that parental/legal guardian consent will be required for any services provided, as families will be able to opt in or out of specific services at their discretion. 

At this time, staff will simply need to speak with their school nurse to make an appointment and complete an Adult Consent Form prior to their appointment. 

In partnership with our Transportation Department, students across every Dublin City Schools campus can be transported to the SBHC at no cost to their families.  Students will not be counted absent from class while at the SBHC. 

Sure!  If a student visited their school nurse complaining of a sore ear, and the nurse determined the child had an ear infection, the school nurse would call the child’s parent and ask them if they would like for their child to be picked up to go to their primary care physician or if they would like to receive services through the School-Based Health Clinic.  If the parent opts for the SBHC, the nurse will check to make sure an up-to-date Consent Form for Minors is on file.  Then, transportation to the SBHC will be arranged.  Upon the student’s arrival, the child’s parent/legal guardian will be called back to determine if they would like to be virtually included in the visit.  Following the appointment,  if the child is deemed safe to go back to school, they will be transported back to their campus.  If a child is deemed too sick to return, their parent/legal guardian will be notified to pick the student up from the SBHC.  If a prescription is needed, it will be e-prescribed to the parent/legal guardian’s preferred pharmacy. 

Depending on the time of day, transportation may not be available to the SBHC, as our bus drivers may be running their morning or afternoon routes.  In such a scenario, Dublin City Schools would utilize Telehealth.  Telehealth services allow students and staff members to connect with our healthcare provider through video calls, right from their school or office. It's like having a doctor's appointment without needing to go to the office. Whether it's for a check-up, advice on minor health concerns, or managing ongoing conditions, telehealth makes it easy and convenient to get care. It's safe, private, and helps your child get the help they need quickly and comfortably.

Nursing care will continue to be provided free of charge at our school campuses.  However, our partner - Medical Center, LLP - will bill Medicaid and private health insurance for Irish Healthcare services.  The school-based health center will accept all insurance plans, except Allstate and Tricare. However, no child will be denied services due to a family’s inability to pay.

Irish Healthcare is a fully functioning medical doctor’s office, serving as a satellite site to the Medical Center, LLP. 

Dublin City’s school nurse program focuses on the entire school population and prevention services for all students.  They provide direct care by treating minor injuries, administering medications, and managing chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. School nurses also conduct health screenings, such as vision and hearing tests, and assist in creating individualized health plans for students with specific medical needs

No – the SBHC provides services to students and staff for needs during the school day.  However, they will not be required to change their Primary Care Provider to Irish Healthcare.  Your PCP will receive a summary of your visit to Irish Healthcare.