DeWine announces $25.9 million for school-based health centers

Gov. Mike DeWine announced last Friday that $25.9 million will be awarded for 136 new or expanded School-Based Health Centers throughout Ohio (Source: “Governor awards $25.9M in School-Based Health Center funds,” Bellefontaine Examiner, March 7).

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.

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.”