2 Logan County schools to benefit through program
COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday that $25.9 million will be awarded for 136 new or expanded School-Based Health Centers throughout Ohio.
The Ohio Department of Health is awarding 15 contracts, totaling $25,910,983, to create 29 new School-Based Health Centers and expand services in 107 existing School-Based Health Centers.
Two Logan County school districts and the Community Health and Wellness Partners will benefit from this round of funding.
The CH&WP has been awarded $1,102,297 to provide school-based health care services in Indian Lake Local Schools and Riverside Local Schools.
Earlier this year, the federally-qualified health care center also dedicated a new school-based center at Benjamin Logan Schools. Last school year, CH&WP opened a school-based health center at West Liberty-Salem Schools.
The Governor’s Office said the new and expanded clinics will provide primary care services and preventative care in the school setting. Some of the expanded clinics will add vision, dental, behavioral health and other healthcare services. These clinics eliminate many barriers to obtaining care including transportation; parents missing time at work and lack of a provider or medical home.
In many cases, they also limit the time out of the classroom.
“Studies have shown that health and wellness are interconnected,” Gov. DeWine said.
“A student who is not healthy or who is chronically absent is not able to achieve their full potential. These partnerships between healthcare providers and schools supports the whole child and ensures that every child may realize their full potential.”
These clinics have emerged as effective models to improve student access to healthcare and have helped closed the gap for children in underserved communities.
A whole child approach broadens district and school focus beyond academics to include meeting students social-emotional, physical, and safety needs. School-Based Health Centers are well positioned to meet the non-academic needs of Ohio’s students while supporting the whole child.
Funding is being made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Additional funds are being made available through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund.
Management of construction and capital expenses will be coordinated in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health.