School Health Services

Student Health services focus on the health and well-being of the students and staff members. The health office supports the process of education and student success, achievement, and well-being through direct care, education, referrals, health counseling, and medical case management as needed to support the students in the Ferndale Area School District.

School health services include procedures established to assess the health status of students; to counsel students, parents and others concerning the findings; to encourage and plan for the correction of identified problems; to assist in the identification and education of special needs students; to prevent and control disease; and to provide emergency care following injury or illness which occur in school.

School health services supplement the health care parents/guardians provide for their children. These services are not a substitute for family responsibilities but rather are designed to assist parents/guardians in devoting attention to child health, to call attention to health problems which are identified, and to encourage them to access community health agencies and health providers.  The school nurse is responsible for the implementation of the programs and procedures required by state and local laws.

Immunizations - 2019-2020 School Year - Updated Information & Requirements

Required Immunizations as per PA Code : 28 PA. Code Ch 23, Title 28, Health and Safety

The following immunizations are required for attendance in all grades:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acedllular pertussis* (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after the 4th birthday and at least 6 months after the previous dose was given)**
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella***
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or evidence of immunity

 

*   Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable DT or Td

**  A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was given after 4 years or older and at least 6        months after the previous dose)

***Usually given as MMR

 

FOR ATTENDANCE IN 7TH GRADE:

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of 7th grade.  
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 7th grade.

 

FOR ATTENDANCE IN 12TH GRADE:

• 1 dose of MCV on the first day of 12th grade. If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the twelfth-grade dose.

 

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 pa. CODE CH. 23 (school Immunization).  

Contact your healthcare provider, the school nurse of call 877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) for more information.

Highlands Health

The mission of Highlands Health (formerly: Johnstown Free Medical Clinic) is to provide free and charitable medical, pharmaceutical and wellness care to the low income, uninsured and under-insured in the Laurel Highlands region. Information on Highlands Health Can be found by visiting Highlands Health.com

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program now covers all uninsured kids and teens (up to age 19). And no family makes too much money for CHIP. Coverage includes doctor visits, dental care, eye care, prescriptions, immunizations, mental health and much more. There are more than 133,000 uninsured children in Pennsylvania who now have access to this comprehensive health insurance coverage. For many families, CHIP is free, with no co-pays or monthly premiums. Families with higher incomes may qualify for low-cost or at-cost CHIP, which still includes the same comprehensive benefits. Families whose incomes fall below CHIP guidelines may be enrolled in Medical Assistance.

CHIP enrollment information is available by visiting chipcoverspakids.com or calling 800-986-KIDS to apply or for more information.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Information

Medicaid and CHIP renewals are coming – make sure to complete yours on time so you do not risk losing coverage.

Find out when your renewal date is:

• Online: www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS

• myCOMPASS PA Mobile App

• 1-877-395-8930

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