Irwin County Schools offer a variety of health services to students.  Details about the various types of services are below.  

School Nurses: 

School nurses are available daily for minor health problems and medication administration. With parent's permission, a school nurse can administer over the counter medications. The school nurse will assess a student's condition and notify parents as needed.  Please fill out the School Nurse Permission Form to give permission for your student to be seen by the School Nurse.  Note: This form is for the School Nurse only and MUST be completed for your child to be seen by the school nurse.

Physician Options:

If student needs to be seen by a physician the following options are offered through ICSS:

• Irwin County School-based Clinic is offered through our partnership with South Central Primary.  Kayla Phillips, Nurse Practitioner, is onsite at ICES to see students in PreK-12th grade.  Please contact 229-646-6042 for details and paperwork. 

• Telehealth is offered through Ocilla Pediatrics and our partnership with Dr. Casey Conner's office.  This service is onsite and provided in the school nurse's office.   Please contact your school nurse for paperwork to sign up for Telehealth service.  

• Care Solace- Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service provided to students, staff, and their families by Irwin County Schools. Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options for mental health or substance use regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.  If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider, call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365).  You can also visit www.caresolace.com/irwin and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

If you have questions about any of the services listed, please contact your child’s school nurse for additional information.

Irwin Co Elementary School Nurse: Mendy Vickers; 229-468-7496; mvickers@irwin.k12.ga.us

Irwin Co Middle/High School Nurse: Regina Cook; 229-468-9421; rcook@irwin.k12.ga.us

The Irwin County School Nurse Clinics are staffed by Registered Nurses. Below are additional student health services for Irwin County Schools.

Medications

If a prescription or over-the-counter medication is necessary during the school day, a parent should bring the medicine to school in a pharmacy labeled bottle. A school medical form must be completed and given to the school official responsible for administering the medication.

Vision and Hearing

Visual and hearing screening for students are available at the request of the parents.

Special Health Needs

If your child has a special documented health need or problem, this should be communicated to the teacher(s) and school nurse. (This information is kept confidential.) In cases that warrant specific precautions or emergency procedures, an individual protocol will be developed by a team consisting of the nurse, RTI, teachers, and parents/guardians.

Lice

If your child has been diagnosed with having nits or lice you will be called to come and pick your child up from school. He/she will be excused for up to two (2) days to take care of the situation.  All days out after two days will be unexcused absences.

 A "No Nit Clearance Note" from the Doctor, Health Department or School Nurse will be needed upon returning to school. Please call the school to schedule a time for you to bring your child to the school if you want the school nurse to check and determine if the child is clear to return to school.  If your child is sent to school without a clearance note you will be called to come pick your child up. Please note that if you plan on using the school nurse, you MUST have an appointment and the parent or guardian MUST come with the child. 

 Hospital Homebound Services (HHB) O.C.G.A. 160-4-2-.31 (effective 11/24/09)

Hospital Homebound Services provides academic instruction and other services provided to eligible students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods of time that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by the licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is treating the student for the presenting diagnosis.

• HHB Services are available to students who need to be absent from school for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive days because of a non-communicable disease or illness.

• HHB Services must be requested through the school office by the student and parent/guardian.

• A completed written medical referral form signed by a licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is currently treating the student for the diagnosis presented must be submitted to the LEA for HHB services to be considered.

• Following approval of HHB services, a meeting will be required including the student, parent/guardian, administration, and all classroom teachers to develop an Educational Service Plan (ESP), discuss services and expectations. The ESP shall include a school re-entry plan.

• A student who is on the Hospital Homebound Program is counted present in school. Work is assigned by the classroom teachers.