Now Open In Indian Head: School-Based Health Center For CCPS Students

New Charles County Health Center Opens, Offering Free Care To All CCPS Students

INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Charles County Department of Health officially opened a new school-based health center on Thursday, April 16, 2026, marking a major step in expanding access to health services for students across the county.

The Dr. Chinnadurai Devadasan School-Based Health Center, located at Indian Head Elementary School, was celebrated during a grand opening ceremony. The milestone comes just over a year after a groundbreaking ceremony held Feb. 27, 2025, when officials first outlined a vision to bring accessible, on-campus health care to students in Indian Head and across Charles County.

The center is named after Dr. Chinnadurai Devadasan, a longtime public health leader who served as Charles County’s health officer from 1983 to 1988 and again from 1995 until his retirement in 2012. He was recognized for expanding access to public health services and strengthening care for residents throughout his tenure. The name was approved during a November 2025 Charles County Public Schools Board of Education work session following a recommendation from Charles County Health Officer Dr. Dianna E. Abney.

Now open, the clinic is available to all Charles County Public Schools students, regardless of where they attend school. Families can enroll through the Charles County Department of Health, allowing students to receive care during the school day.

New Charles County Health Center Opens, Offering Care To All CCPS Students

The entire community came together to celebrate the milestone, recognizing the need for expanded health services. Remarks were shared by Principal Shane Blandford, Dr. Dianna E. Abney and Michael Currie of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, along with Board of Education Chair Nicole M. Kreamer and Superintendent Dr. Maria V. Navarro. Citations were presented by Sen. Arthur C. Ellis, Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, and Commissioner Thomasina “Sina” Coates, with Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin also in attendance to mark the occasion.

While the project faced delays, speakers throughout the ceremony reflected on the significance of reaching this moment, describing the center as a starting point for what they hope will grow into additional locations serving students countywide.

School Health Program Manager Desiree Colvin, RN, with the Charles County Department of Health, who delivered closing remarks, was recognized for helping bring the vision for the health center to life. While serving as a community school nurse at Indian Head, she saw firsthand the need for expanded access to care, and her work there helped secure the grant funding that made the center possible. Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin was also in attendance to celebrate the milestone and the impact it will bring to the community.

Throughout the ceremony, speakers delivered heartfelt remarks recognizing the years of work behind the project and the impact it is expected to have moving forward. Colvin closed the program by reinforcing the mission of supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.

“It all starts right here in the school,” she said, as children could be heard laughing in the background during lunchtime, a reminder of the students and families the center is there to serve.

How To Enroll Your Child

No insurance is required, and getting started is simple for all Charles County Public Schools students:

Step 1: Complete the School-Based Health Center enrollment form
Step 2: Submit the form to your child’s school nurse at Indian Head Elementary School
Step 3: Once enrolled, your child can receive care during the school day

Families can download the consent form and learn more through the Charles County Department of Health here.

The School-Based Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is available to all students enrolled in Charles County Public Schools. Families can enroll through the Charles County Department of Health.

To enroll or learn more, visit charlescountyhealth.org/school-based-health-clinic/ or call 301-944-1087.

What Are Community Schools?

Community schools are public schools that serve as hubs connecting students, families, and communities to vital support services. These schools remove barriers to learning by offering wraparound resources such as health care, mental health support, academic enrichment, out-of-school time programming, and family engagement — all directly on campus.

Backed by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and funded in part through Concentration of Poverty grants, community schools aim to promote equity and improve outcomes for students, especially those facing economic challenges. By partnering with nonprofits, local governments, and other stakeholders, community schools leverage community assets to create stronger connections between home, school, and neighborhood.

There are now more than 600 community schools across Maryland. Charles County Public Schools currently operates 14 community schools, including Indian Head Elementary School. These sites include: