DCPS final rulemaking on school-based health centers

DC Public Schools published two final rules in the August 20 edition of the DC Register.   One of the rules repealed a section of the code and the other proposed the new section.   Both relate to school-based health services for students.

What is important is that the final rules, which follow a June 2010 publication of amended rules based on comments submitted by the public and others, describe how the Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, and non-profit community-based health care providers can operate school health centers.   The final rules (the new section) also allow licensed providers in school-based health centers to dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications, and clarify the role of school health centers in addressing the prevention of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections.   Both rules are online.