Student Health Services

Milton Hershey School’s medical staff includes the following experts:

• Pediatricians
• Registered nurses
• Certified nursing assistants
• Registered dietitians
• A pre-enrollment coordinator
• Staff assistants
• A medical claims analyst
• A health systems manager

This team provides medical care for students. They are offered:

• 24/7 at the Health Center
• Week days at the Copenhaver Medical Clinic
• Weekdays in each school building

Our list of services is comprehensive and includes:

• Health screenings
• Physicals/sports assessments
• Vaccinations
• Health education
• Distribution of medications

Milton Hershey School’s dental staff includes the following experts:

• Dentists
• An orthodontist
• Dental hygienists
• Dental and orthodontic assistants
• An office secretary

We offer full dental services to MHS students. We also work to educate and inform. Our goals include:

• Providing education about proper daily oral hygiene
• Educating students about nutrition
• Emphasizing cavity prevention
• Addressing oral disease and tooth decay. This improves the students’ overall oral health.

Milton Hershey School’s nutrition staff includes the following experts:

• Registered dietitian/nutritionists
• Overall medical team (support role)

Our nutrition staff works closely with the medical team. Their goal is to support students that may benefit from nutrition services.

The nutritionists provide, to select students, services such as:

• Nutrition assessments
• Diet suggestions
• Counseling
• Food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle education

Nutritionists partner with Food Services staff to promote healthy eating. We focus on foods that provide a variety of nutrients.

Milton Hershey School’s Psychological Services team’s goal is to help students achieve happiness and success. Our psychological services staff includes:

• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Behavioral specialists
• Mental health workers

These credentialed experts help students in a variety of ways. They provide students a realistic knowledge of their strengths. Students consider academic, social, emotional, and physical strengths.

Our complete services include:

• Single-student and group therapy
• Evaluation
• Counseling
• Medication management
• Crisis intervention

Counseling services are available to all students. Students are encouraged to seek counseling at their school buildings when needed. On occasion, parents/sponsors may wish to have a counselor speak with their child. Parents/sponsors are welcome to contact Psychological Services staff.

The MHS Behavioral Services staff includes the following roles:

• Mental health workers (credentialed)
• Crisis intervention team

Behavioral Services staff members provide support for students. They direct skill-building to promote positive behavior. After-school programs extend these academic, social, and self-management skills.

Mental health workers provide individual students with skills development. This support improves student behavior in school and in student homes. We work to preserve the learning environment of the classroom. For disruptive or upset students, Skills Centers provide a temporary placement and learning opportunity.

The Crisis Intervention Team is another group that supports students. This group provides behavioral support to struggling students. Therapeutic camps are offered during the summer. These camps help students build social and emotional skills. All adults who work closely with students are offered consultations and training.

The Social Work program provides a variety of services to students. Licensed social workers offer the following:

• Transition services (to help students locate medical, counseling, and specialized educational programs)
• Psychosocial assessments
• Assistance with public service programs (cash assistance, medical assistance, and Social Security benefits)

Social workers work to ensure students’ legal guardian status are honored. They are the link between the school and outside entities, including:

• Child welfare agencies
• Families
• Courts to assure that students’ legal guardian status is honored

Some students have a disability or special need (outlined in an Accommodation/ADA Plan). Social workers are part of the team that ensures students the assistance they need.