In an effort to help clinics grow and provide a wider and deeper range of health care services at schools across the country, the HHS (US Department of Health and Human Services) has awarded $98 million to 278 school-based health center programs across the USA.
The announcement was made by Education Secretary Arne Duncan and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Currently, about 790,000 patients are being served by the 278 awardees. HHS informs that this new money will allow them to increase their capacity by over half, i.e. to add another 440,000 patients to their list.
These programs provide children with health screening, health promotion and disease prevention activities. They make it possible for thousands of children with chronic or acute illnesses to attend school.
“School-Based Health Center Capital Program: July 2011 Grantees”
Secretary Sebelius said:
“These new investments will help school-based health centers establish new sites or upgrade their current facilities to keep our children healthy. These new or improved sites will help ensure effective, efficient, and high-quality care.”
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said:
“We know that if kids aren’t healthy then kids can’t learn. These grants will make it a lot easier for working moms and dads to help get their children the health care they need and deserve. This unprecedented investment in school-based health care will bring communities closer together and help children succeed in the classroom.”
$200 million was made available through the Affordable Care Act for the School-Based Health Center Capital Program from 2010 to the end of 2013 to “address capital needs in school-based health centers.”
HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., said:
“Healthy children are better able to learn and succeed in school. These grants will improve access to care for children, and help maximize their potential to learn.”
Written by Christian Nordqvist