INDIAN HEAD, Md. — On February 27, 2025, Indian Head Elementary School hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for a new school-based health center on its campus, aimed at serving both students and the broader Indian Head community. The center, developed in partnership with the Charles County Department of Health (CCDH), addresses the area’s limited healthcare access, with the nearest urgent care facility located in La Plata, roughly 15 miles away.
Principal Shane Blandford emphasized the center’s potential impact, stating, “This will allow families to access health care right on our campus.” The facility will offer primary pediatric, acute/urgent, preventative, mental health, and chronic care services, targeting a rural region in western Charles County where transportation and medical resources are scarce. Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., highlighted community support, saying, “The love and care that this community has for the families that live here is incredible. Thank you to everyone who has made this happen.”
The event drew notable attendees, including Navarro, Board of Education Member Brenda Thomas, CCPS staff, Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin, CCDH Health Officer Dianna E. Abney, M.D., and community members. Desiree Colvin, CCPS school nurse program manager and Indian Head’s school nurse, underscored the center’s mission: “The goal of this center is nothing less than the absolute pride in the students and families in Charles County… so that they can be ready to learn and achieve their best in school and ultimately in life.”
Set to open in August 2025, the center will allow parents and students to opt in, sign consent forms, and schedule appointments, with escorts assisting students during school-hour visits. Funding comes from a grant, the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities Inc., and Senator Arthur C. Ellis’s office. More details are available on the CCPS Blueprint page at https://bit.ly/3FrzzRj.
Indian Head, a town of about 3,800 residents, per 2020 census data, faces healthcare access challenges typical of rural areas, with 15% of Charles County’s 166,000 residents living below the poverty line, according to U.S. Census estimates. CCPS serves 27,000 students, with Indian Head Elementary enrolling roughly 400, per school district records. The center aligns with national trends, as the CDC notes school-based health centers improve attendance and academic outcomes by addressing health disparities.
While the initiative promises significant benefits, reliance on opt-in participation and potential staffing constraints in a rural setting may pose challenges. Still, the center’s comprehensive approach marks a proactive step toward health equity in Indian Head.
