Our Health Partners
The APS Health Services Department understands that the well-being of our students is at the heart of their educational journey. We partner with community and government organizations to collaborate on health initiatives that foster a healthier, more conducive learning environment across the entire district.
Browse through the following information to identify resources that may benefit your student
Learn About Our Health Partners
Vision Services
Vision Services
Healthy vision supports learning and classroom success. Many children with vision concerns do not show obvious symptoms, which is why regular screenings and exams are so important.
Atlanta Public Schools partners with community vision providers to ensure students receive free or low-cost screenings, exams, and eyeglasses during the school day or at district-sponsored events. These partnerships help reduce barriers to care, increase early identification of vision concerns, and support students’ overall health and academic success.
- Vision Partners: Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation
- Vision Partners: Vision to Learn
- Mass Vision Screenings (Grades 1, 3, 5, 8 & 10)
Vision Partners: Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation
Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation
Atlanta Public Schools partners with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation to expand access to affordable, high-quality vision care for APS students.
The Foundation provides low-cost services through a statewide network of optometrists and ophthalmologists, offering screenings, exams, eyeglasses, and surgeries to more than 7,000 Georgians annually.
APS Impact (SY2025, August - February):
- 3,341 students screened
- 699 exams completed
- 613 pairs of glasses produced
- 217 vouchers issued
Vision Partners: Vision to Learn
Mass Vision Screenings (Grades 1, 3, 5, 8 & 10)
APS conducts mass vision screenings each fall for all students in the following grades: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 10th grade.
About the Screenings
Vision screenings are quick assessments that help identify:
- Nearsightedness (difficulty seeing far away)
- Farsightedness (difficulty seeing up close)
-
Other visual impairments that may affect learning
Why Early Detection Matters
- 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision concern
- Unaddressed vision issues can impact reading, focus, and classroom performance
- Early support leads to better educational outcomes
Students will be screened unless a parent/guardian opts out by submitting the opt-out form included below.
Download Mass Vision Screening Letters & Opt-Out Forms
Mass Vision Screening Letter (English)
Mass Vision Screening Letter (Spanish)
Dental Services
Atlanta Public Schools partners with Help a Child Smile to bring essential dental care directly to students through on-site mobile dental clinics. These clinics provide comprehensive services—including cleanings, exams, x-rays, and restorative treatments like fillings and crowns—ensuring students receive high-quality dental care in an accessible, convenient setting. Schools will schedule dental visit dates throughout the year, and parents must return a signed consent form before their student can receive services.
Learn more by visiting the Help a Child Smile website: https://hcsga.com/for-schools/.
Dental services may include:
- Dental exams
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Fluoride
- Sealants
- Cavity treatment (when needed)
- 6-month follow-up care (based on school schedule)
Safety & Emergency Response
CPR & AED Training
Atlatna Public Schools is committed to strengthening districtwide preparedness for cardiac and respiratory emergencies. APS Health Services provides CPR, AED, and First Aid training using American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, ensuring staff receive nationally recognized, evidence-based instruction.
Partnership Highlight: American Heart Association (AHA)
APS utilizes AHA-approved training materials and curriculum to deliver high-quality certification courses across the district. Trainings are conducted by APS-certified instructors in accordance with AHA standards.
- AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) for School Nurses
Provides clinical-level skills in- High-quality CPR
- Safe & effective AED use
- Response protocols for cardiac arrest and respiratory emergencies
- AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED for School Staff
Equips educators and support personnel to:- Recognize cardiac emergencies
- Perform CPR confidently
- Use an AED until emergency responders arrive
Opioid Response & Naloxone (Narcan)
Atlanta Public Schools is committed to keeping students, staff, and communities safe by strengthening our readiness to respond to opioid-related emergencies by:
- Distributing Narcan to all APS schools, ensuring this life-saving medication is available whenever it is needed.
- Partnering with the Fulton County Board of Health - Emergency Preparedness Department to train all APS school nurses to recognize opioid overdoses and administer naloxone (Narcan).
Training & Preparedness:
APS Health Services maintains ongoing readiness by ensuring school-based clinical staff:
- Are certified to administer naloxone
- Understand how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose
- Follow APS emergency response protocols with confidence
What is Naloxone
Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe, effective medication that restores normal breathing during an opioid overdose. It is commonly given as a nasal spray and will not cause harm if given to someone who is not experiencing an overdose.
Where Can Families Access Naloxone?
Naloxone is available at most pharmacies, health departments, and community organizations.
Georgia residents may access free naloxone through
- NEXT Distro and the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition: https://nextdistro.org/gachoice
Additional Support Resources
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Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 (call or text)
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
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Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Cares Warm Line: 1-844-326-5400
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Never Use Alone Hotline: 800-484-3731
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United Way Atlanta: 211
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Recovery Community Organizations Directory: https://gc4recovery.org/rco-directory/
Safe Kids: Injury Prevention
Atlanta Public Schools is committed to reducing preventable injuries and creating safer environments for all students. Through our partnership with the Safe Kids Fulton Coalition, APS Health Services provides ongoing education, safety resources, and community-based programming for families and staff.
Partnership Highlight: Safe Kids Fulton Coalition
APS Health Services collaborates with the Safe Kids Fulton Coalition to prevent injuries and promote safety across the district. This partnership focuses on seven key areas:
- Vehicle & Road Safety
- Bike/Wheeled Sport Safety
- Pedestrian Safety
- Fire & Burn Safety
- Home Safety
- Sports Safety
- Water Safety
Through this partnership, APS has supported car seat check events, Safety Town pedestrian safety programming, helmet fittings, and district-wide safety awareness campaigns that equip students and families with practical knowledge and skills.
Learn more: https://safekidsgeorgia.org/fulton/
Stop the Bleed
Atlanta Public Schools is committed to ensuring that every staff member has the tools and skills needed to respond during an emergency. All APS schools and buses are equipped with Stop the Bleed kits, providing immediate access to critical supplies when seconds matter.
We also offer Stop the Bleed training twice a month for school staff, ensuring ongoing opportunities to build confidence in bleeding-control techniques.
Parnership Highlight: Georgia RTAC Region 3
In collaboration with the Georgia Regional Trauma Advisory Committees (RTAC), Region 3, APS Health Services delivered comprehensive #StopTheBleed training to 323 APS Transportation employees. This training equips staff with life-saving skills to control severe bleeding and respond effectively during trauma events. As part of this effort, APS buses are now outfitted with Stop the Bleed kits to enhance emergency readiness across the district.
Eastchester Family Services
Atlanta Public Schools has partnered with Eastchester Family Services to provide mobile health services to students, including school vaccinations and sports physicals. Health services are scheduled to be provided during school hours or district-sponsored events. Parents must fill out a consent form before students can receive services.
Services Included:
- Wellness visits and physical
- Treatment of acute illnesses and injuries
- Management of chronic illness (diabetes, asthma, and more)
- Sports physicals
- Pediatric and adolescent care
- Immunizations for children 18 and under
- And more...
Eastchester also has an Atlanta office.
- Located at 250 Georgia Ave SE, Suite 206, Atlanta, GA 30312.
- Phone number: (404) 653 - 0374
- Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM
- Saturday & Sunday by Appointment Only
- Website: https://eastchesterfamilyservices.com/
Fill Out the Consent Form
APS CARES
APS Cares Finder
Search here to find access to resources and supports in Metro-Atlanta and beyond. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help starts here:
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.
These agencies and programs are intended as referrals only. We do not license, endorse or recommend any provider.