U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius talks with children who just received their H1N1 vaccinations at Carlin Springs Elementary School Jan. 7, 2010. Sebelius attended the event -- along with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan -- calling Arlington's efforts a model for the nation. (Jan. 7, 2010)

County and APS staff work together every day to bring ensure the health and safety of children in the public school system.

Health Services

• Arlington County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) provides health services to APS, including nurses and clinic aides.
• School health staff provides a full range of public health services for school-aged children and their families, including dental care and immunizations. 
• School clinic staff monitors and informs staff, students and families about potential health issues and provides information and guidance to encourage healthy behaviors.
• DHS also provides school-based mental health therapists to assist students and their families.
• A DHS pediatrician provides consultation and physical exams for students who are uninsured. 
• The School Health Bureau is responsible for direct care for students, case management for complex issues, providing preventive information on communicable diseases prevention (such as the recent H1N1 flu outbreak), as well as control and disease prevention.
• A longstanding partnership between County and APS enables more rapid identification of potential disease outbreaks, initiation of disease control and prevention, and proactive messaging. Day-to-day collaboration about disease outbreak recognition, control, and prevention provides basis for future pandemic response.

School Safety

Former W-L assistant principal Tom Schelstrate and officer Steven Taphorn discuss after-school traffic.

• The Arlington County Police Department provides school resource officers (SROs) and school crossing guards. 
• SROs work closely with school staff and participate in informal screening of students when public-safety events occur in and around school grounds or bus stops.
• They also work with school staff on school emergency drills, training and follow-up.
• Senior APS staff serve on the countywide Emergency Planning Team and collaborate to provide countywide planning and support during community emergencies.