School-Based Health Services (Care Connection)

School Health Centers

Nationwide Children’s has health centers in select central Ohio schools. This program is in partnership with your child’s doctor.

How does it work?

• You can call (614) 355-2590 or contact your school nurse to make an appointment.
• The child’s parent/guardian must provide consent for their child to be seen by the provider. Please see your school nurse for consent forms.
• Appointments are available during school hours and, at some sites, before and after school. Walk-in appointments may be available. Parents/guardians are always welcome, but don’t need to be at the appointment. We’ll talk to you over the phone after the visit.
• We will give your child a paper that explains what happened during the visit with any needed medication or follow up.

We can:

• Help when your child has a sore throat, bad cough, earache, headache
• Give shots
• Do blood work
• Perform checkups
• Provide dental care*
• Send medication to the pharmacy
• Provide sports physicals
• Provide services for sports-related injuries*
• Treat asthma*
• Treat diabetes*
• Help with work permit physicals
• Treat anxiety, depression and ADHD
• Test for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections
• Provide education on birth control
• Connect you with a doctor
• And more

*Locations and availability for these services may vary. Learn more about these services in the “Specialized Services” tab on this page.

View Locations

Behavioral Health Counseling Services

Nationwide Children’s licensed mental health professionals can provide comprehensive, preventive and therapeutic behavioral and mental health services year-round—in school and at home. Experts help children to overcome life’s problems, feel better, manage relationships and improve how they do in school.

How does it work?

• School staff will contact the parent/guardian to ask their approval to refer the child to counseling services.
• Nationwide Children’s staff will contact parents/guardians to complete the intake process and link them with the service the child needs.

Services 

Individual therapy

• Usually takes place at school but can also happen in the community or in your home
• Is a partnership with the parent/guardian
• Involves meeting with your child one to two times per week

Group therapy

• Is provided in the school to children who have similar issues and will benefit from learning from each other and practicing skills in a group setting
• Lasts 6-12 weeks, 1-2 times per week

School-wide prevention programs

• At elementary and high schools

Schedule an Appointment

Contact us at (614) 355-2590 or contact your school counselor or school social worker to schedule an appointment.

View Locations

Specialized Services

Locations and availability for these services may vary. If you have any questions about services offered at your school, please call (614) 355-2590 or contact your school nurse. 

• Primary Care: Provides access to health care for children ages 0-21 in schools or on a mobile unit. Services include annual checkups, vaccines, COVID-19 testing, primary care mental health, teen health care, psychiatry services and complex care. For more information, contact CareConnection@NationwideChildrens.org.
• Vaccination Clinics:  Provides vaccines in schools, including all childhood, flu and COVID-19 vaccines. For more information on hours and locations, contact NCHVaccines@NationwideChildrens.org.
• Asthma Therapy: The School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) Program is a partnership between the school nurse and medical provider to ensure students with high-risk asthma receive their medication every day by taking it at school. Contact SBAT@NationwideChildrens.org for more information.
• Diabetes and School Health Program: The Diabetes and School Health (DASH) Program is an enhanced care-coordination program that provides direct oversight, education and support for students with Type 1 diabetes. For more information, contact DASH@NationwideChildrens.org.
• Dental Care: Offers comprehensive dental services to prevent and repair tooth decay, pain and infections. Includes cleanings, fluoride treatments, oral exams, x-rays, sealants and more.
• Vision Care:  Provides vision services for students in need of an eye exam or glasses adjustments, as well as assistance with ordering new glasses.
• Sports Medicine: Nationwide Children’s sports medicine experts provide treatment for sports-related injuries and injury prevention. These services are offered to student athletes of all ages and skill levels at Reynoldsburg's Livingston Campus location.
• Wheelchair Clinic: Specialized services for students with mobility challenges. The clinic takes place twice per year in the school, removing barriers to access and transportation for students with medical complexities. For more information, contact Matt Moore at Matt.Moore@NationwideChildrens.org.
• Health Education: Offers age-appropriate and evidence-based health education, covering topics such as social media safety, reproductive health, nutrition and more. Parent programs and paid summer experiences for students are also offered.
• Youth Engagement: Support programs to engage students grades 7 to 12 in experiences such as community service, mentoring, experiential learning and more.
• Mentoring: Nationwide Children’s employees mentor students through various school and community partnerships. Students receive academic and social support from trusted adults.
• Workforce and Skill Development: Provides students with hands-on experience in the workforce, through job shadowing, the Summer Youth Employment program and Futures Matter.
• Kindergarten Readiness: Early childhood experts provide personalized family support and bridge children to early childhood services to establish a strong foundation for school readiness.
• Mobile Care Center: The Nationwide Children’s Mobile Care Center and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile© (in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities©) bring health care to your neighborhood. We have medical equipment and health care providers on board, making it easier for your child to receive care close to school or home.

For Parents

Parents/guardians are welcome to come to an appointment, but it is not required. The Care Connection providers can see your child as long as you have provided consent.

When your child sees the nurse practitioner, Care Connection staff will attempt to reach you by calling the number provided on the consent form. Additionally, a document called an After Visit Summary (AVS) will be sent home with your child. The AVS will describe the services provided and any recommended follow up, if needed.

The mental health clinicians encourage family involvement. The clinician will schedule family sessions and/or phone calls with parents/ guardians to provide updates on progress and to seek input on treatment decisions.

Consent Forms

The child’s parent/guardian must provide consent for their child to be seen by the provider.

• Download a Behavioral Health consent form. 

Financial Assistance

Do you have insurance?

Just like a doctor’s office, we accept Medicaid and other insurance.

No insurance?

We will help you with:

• Financial assistance
• Getting back on insurance

No child will be denied care due to inability to pay for services.

For more information, call the Care Connection staff at your child’s school, contact Financial Services at (614) 722-2070 or access Financial Services.

For behavioral health financial information, call (614) 355-8004 or access Financial Services.