School-Based Health Services expands services to improve access to care

Skyy Davis receives at-school care through School-Based Health Care and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Allison Lantz.

School Health Services provides school nursing care in 45 districts across 11 eastern Ohio Counties. Akron Children’s school nurses advocate for student health and wellness, while helping them manage medical needs in the school setting. Akron Children’s provides high-quality daily school nursing needs to students along with connecting them to the Akron’s Children’s network of services.

In addition to school nursing some schools have School-Based Health provider services where kids can get quick and easy access to medical care where they are — at school. School-based health services are in 26 school districts across 12 eastern Ohio counties.

Primary care partnership

With a goal to improve access to care for all kids and help close health care gaps, School-Based Health Services is expanding its care services thanks to a partnership with Akron Children’s Pediatrics. Families now can schedule appointments for sick visits, annual well checks, sports physicals and more with pediatric providers right in their school buildings.

“We are an extension of primary care to make sure all kids’ health needs are met in the schools,” said Dr. Lisa Miyatake, medical director of School-Based Health Services and a pediatrician for Akron Children’s Pediatrics. “The program is available at 24 schools  for the 2026-2027 school year with plans to expand even further across the region.”

“It makes sense to align what we’re doing in the schools with Akron Children’s Pediatrics’ providers,” added Teresa Fletcher, APRN, Advanced Practice manager and program coordinator for Akron Children’s School-Based Health Services. “The program not only helps patient families conveniently get care in school, but it also extends care to those families that don’t have a primary care home and haven’t received preventive screenings or vaccinations.”

What does School-Based Health Services provide?

For over 20 years, Akron Children’s school nursing staff have administered first-aid, medications and treatments; addressed emergency situations; managed both acute and chronic health needs; and provided education on wellness and disease prevention for students.

Now, with a parent’s permission, kids also can receive treatment in school for minor illnesses, such as:

• Cough, cold and flu
• Fever
• Sore throat and earache
• Allergy and sinus issues
• Pink eye
• Rashes and more

Some visits take place in person, while other visits take place virtually using advanced technology. “Pediatric providers can hear heart and lung sounds and see in a child’s ears, nose and throat for a full exam even if the provider is not physically at the school,” said Dr. Miyatake.

In addition, families can schedule appointments with pediatric providers either in-person or via telehealth in certain school districts for annual well visits, hearing and vision tests, teen health, sports physicals, referrals to specialty care such as mental health, and administering recommended vaccines.

How does it work?

During school hours, an Akron Children’s school nursing staff member evaluates the child. If they believe the child has a minor illness and would benefit from treatment by an Akron Children’s pediatric provider, they will request a parent’s permission for that to occur.

Let’s say a child goes to the school nurse, complaining of a sore throat and fever. A pediatric provider can now see that child privately for an evaluation, even perform a strep test, and diagnose the child during school hours. Staff will attempt to reach the parent to discuss the child’s visit, prescription information and recommended follow-up.

“Traditionally, a school nurse would call a parent to pick up the child and coordinate care with their own primary care provider,” said Teresa. “With provider-based services in the school, the process has already been started to treat the child’s sore throat before leaving school. When the parent picks up the child, any necessary medication has been called into a pharmacy and the parent receives a full report.”

What are the benefits?

It’s an efficient way for families to access medical care for their children’s sick symptoms, well visits, sports physicals, vaccines and more during the school hours.

• In-school care reduces missed school days and barriers to care, such as parents who can’t miss work or have difficulty accessing transportation.
• Prescriptions, if necessary, are sent into a family’s preferred pharmacy.
• Care plan and visit details are in MyChart and can be mailed home upon request.
• The program bills for services though the family’s private insurance or Medicaid. For those without insurance we have financial assistance and other programs that can help families receive the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Another added benefit is we can perform a full preventive well exam during a child’s sports physical,” said Teresa. “A quick sports physical doesn’t include all the screenings that a well visit does, including recommended immunizations.”

“And because care is provided by Akron Children’s Pediatrics providers, kids are receiving the same high-quality care they expect from Akron Children’s,” added Dr. Miyatake.

Who can participate?

School Based Health Services cares for every child in need — whether a patient at Akron Children’s or not.

“We are a partner with primary care providers to increase health equity and improve care for all kids,” said Teresa. “Every child deserves to have equal access to quality care.”