For immediate release: March 19, 2008  (08-032)

Contacts:
Judy Schoder, Office of Maternal and Child Health 360-236-3520
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072

School-based health centers may come to 11 more Washington communities

OLYMPIA ¾ Teens in several communities across the state may soon have more access to free or low-cost health services — right in their own schools.

The Department of Health is awarding grants to 11 communities across the state to develop local plans for school-based health centers. There are 17 school-based centers already in operation — mostly in King and Kitsap counties. A complete list of the communities receiving planning grants is on the Maternal and Children’s Health Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/mch).

“Teens are the least likely group to get the physical, oral, and mental health care they need,” according to State Health Officer Dr Maxine Hayes. “In Washington, more than one out of three adolescents has not seen a physician or health care provider in the last year for preventive care.”

Funding for five of the planning grants comes from the Group Health Foundation. The other planning grants and technical assistance to support them is from a mix of funds from the state Department of Health, Public Health — Seattle & King County, and the Mental Health Transformation Grant.

School-based health centers are nationally recognized as one of the best ways to provide effective, efficient, and appropriate health services to teens that have little or no health insurance. They also serve students who have insurance but may be more comfortable receiving services in their own school.

“There are too many barriers preventing youth from accessing needed preventive and clinical services,” said Dr. Hayes. “It’s an exciting and important development that all of these communities recognize the value of providing health services for youth in their schools.”

Last year more than 5,000 students in Washington were enrolled in these school-based health centers. Students themselves reported that getting health services at school helped them to be more attentive in class. These centers blend medical care with preventive and mental health services. And they organize broader school-based and community-based health promotion efforts.

The planning grant awards are up to $20,000 for six months. Most of the targeted schools are low income, rural, and have below state average WASL scores.

Technical assistance will be provided to all of the grantees by Public Health — Seattle & King County and Kitsap County Health District. Other partners in this planning initiative include the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Social and Health Services Medicaid Administration, the School Nurse Corps, and education service districts.

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