A New Way to Support Student Health: Telehealth at Your Child’s School

Jennifer Huffman, NP, is pictured with one of the telehealth backpacks.

Imagine being able to have your child receive same-day care for an illness at school without you ever having to leave work. As a nurse practitioner and part of our school-based care team, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be for families to access timely care, especially when a child becomes sick during the school day. At Coplin Health Systems, we believe every child deserves quick, reliable care close to home.

That’s why we adopted the Telehealth Backpack Program, a school-based telehealth service that brings high-quality healthcare directly to students at school. The program embodies our commitment to removing barriers to healthcare to ensure every student receives the care they deserve. We partner with families and schools across our region to make care more accessible and convenient than ever. 

How It Works

If your child visits the school nurse feeling unwell, they can be connected with one of our Coplin providers using portable telehealth technology stored in a backpack. 

All visits take place right in the nurse’s office, and school staff assist throughout the process to ensure the child feels comfortable and supported. 

Using innovative portable medical tools, I can assess, diagnose, and treat common illnesses. We address the full spectrum of student health, from colds and flu to behavioral health support for anxiety and stress. When appropriate, I can even prescribe medication and call it into your preferred pharmacy; if you live in Wood County, you may even be eligible for prescription delivery. Through Coplin Health Systems Delivery Services. 

Best of all, once parents give consent, they can join their child’s telehealth visit from their phone or computer. We know how important it is for parents to stay connected and involved in their child’s care. And, if a child is too sick to remain at school, the nurse follows standard procedures to ensure they return home safely. 

Behind the scenes, we have a dedicated team responsible for maintaining each telehealth backpack and keeping supplies fully stocked. While I am the provider families/students usually see, our team includes additional clinicians who are available any time they’re needed. 

Why This Program Matters

For Students: They feel better faster. They get care without missing more classes than necessary, and they stay engaged in their learning. 

For Parents: You don’t need to leave work or rearrange your day or drive across town to a germ-filled urgent care. When your child isn’t feeling well, you can take them straight home and still be part of their care decisions through a telehealth visit.  And there’s no extra cost for this convenience; the appointment is billed like any other doctor’s appointment. We prioritize affordable care by accepting most insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and most private plans. For those who qualify, we also offer a sliding fee scale based on income. 

For Schools: Our program works in tandem with school nurses; it doesn’t replace them. We’re partners in student health, helping nurses manage their workload while ensuring students get quality medical evaluation quickly. 

Strengthening Rural Access Through Innovation

The Telehealth Backpack Program launched as a partnership between Coplin Health Systems, the West Virginia Primary Care Association, and 19Labs and is already expanding! Beyond our pilot at Blennerhassett Middle School, the program is now live in:

• Lubeck Elementary
• Mineral Wells Elementary
• Neale Elementary
• Blennerhassett Elementary
• Greenmont Elementary
• Jackson Middle
• Parkersburg High 
• Vienna Elementary
• Caperton Center for Applied Technology

This expansion reflects Coplin’s larger commitment to ensuring that neither distance nor limited resources prevents a child from getting quality care. 

Ready to Get Started?

Getting your child enrolled is simple. Parents can pre–register their students now by completing our online registration form. Once registered, your child can access care quickly and safely at school when they need it. Parents will always be contacted before services are rendered. 

Have questions? Call us at (304) 861-4150. Our team is here to help.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to support local families and proud to be part of a program that brings compassionate, innovative care directly to our schools. Every child in our community deserves to feel heard, cared for, and supported, right where they learn and grow. That’s the promise behind this program, and a promise we’re committed to keeping.