School-Based Urgent Care Telehealth Program

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From Classroom to Care in Minutes

Dare County Schools, in partnership with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and Surf Pediatrics and Medicine, is launching a School-Based Urgent Care Telehealth Program for students in grades 6–12.

This pilot program provides eligible students with convenient access to urgent medical care for common illnesses and minor health concerns while remaining at school whenever possible. With assistance from the school nurse, students can connect with a licensed healthcare provider through a secure virtual visit conducted in a private location at school.

How the Program Works

Step 1: Enroll Your Student

Parents or guardians may enroll their student during the Dare County Schools student online registration process or pick-up a registration packet at their school

Enrollment for the Fall 2026 pilot program closes September 3, 2026.

Step 2: Student Visits the School Nurse

If a participating student becomes ill during the school day, they should report to the school nurse. The nurse will assess the student's condition to determine whether a telehealth visit is appropriate.

Step 3: Parent Consent

Before a telehealth visit begins, the school nurse will contact the student's parent or guardian to obtain verbal consent for that visit.

Step 4: Virtual Medical Visit

If appropriate, the student will meet virtually with a licensed healthcare provider using a secure telehealth platform. The provider will evaluate the student's symptoms and recommend a plan of care.

Step 5: Follow-Up Care

Based on the provider's recommendations, the student may:

Return to class
Be dismissed from school with an excused absence
Receive a prescription sent to a local pharmacy

Conditions That May Be Evaluated

Benefits for Families

The School-Based Urgent Care Telehealth Program offers several benefits, including:

Faster access to urgent medical care
Less time away from the classroom
Fewer interruptions to parents' or guardians' work schedules
Care provided in a familiar school setting
Support from the student's school nurse throughout the visit
Secure and confidential virtual appointments

Parent and Guardian Communication

Parents or guardians will be contacted before a telehealth visit and, when appropriate, throughout the visit process.

After the appointment, families will receive a phone call from the provider with information about recommendations and any follow-up care that may be needed.

To ensure timely communication, parents and guardians are responsible for keeping current phone numbers and email addresses on file with their child's school throughout their participation in the program.

Important Information

Participation is completely voluntary.
Parents or guardians may withdraw their student from the program at any time by providing written notification to the school nurse.
Registration and consent forms must be completed during the enrollment period before a student can participate.
Telehealth services are intended only for non-emergency urgent medical concerns.
The program is not intended for routine management of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, ADHD, POTS, or other conditions typically managed by a student's primary care provider.
Students experiencing a medical emergency or severe illness will receive standard school emergency care.
Injuries and medical concerns outside the scope of the program will be referred for in-person care through an urgent care provider or the student's primary care provider.
Parents and guardians should continue to follow school illness guidelines and should not send students to school with a fever, active cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious illness that could place other students or staff at risk.

Enroll Your Student

Families are encouraged to enroll eligible students during the Dare County Schools registration process. Enrollment is available during student registration and for a limited time at the beginning of the school year.

Enrollment for the Fall 2026 pilot program closes September 3, 2026.

Insured Student Enrollment Paperwork
- English
- Spanish
Self-Pay Student Enrollment Paperwork
- English
- Spanish

Questions?

For more information about the School-Based Urgent Care Telehealth Program, please contact your student's school nurse or school administration office.

For questions during the summer, contact:

Mandi Ferguson
School Health Supervisor
Phone: (252) 473-5841 ext. 1051

Together, we can help keep Dare County students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.