Montezuma-Cortez School District believes the link between health and academics is so important that it plans a school-based health clinic at the new high school.
Using a $25,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Health, school medical personnel will attend training, visit similar clinics, and determine what range of services the clinic will provide for students.
An advisory committee will be formed, and the clinic will be in alliance with Southwest Memorial hospital.
Space has been provided in the new school for the clinic, which will target students. But it won’t necessarily be free, said Sue Ciccia, District Re-1 health services director.
“It will be like putting a hospital clinic in a school,” she said. “Students will need parent permission and insurance. Reduced costs of Medicaid services will apply.”
The clinic is expected to open in 2016, and a medical provider will be hired by Southwest Memorial Hospital.
“The medical services will be more than what the school nurse can provide,” Ciccia said. “Students are more likely to go see a doctor if one is available at their school.”
The clinic will likely focus on behavioral and physical medical issues.
“Schools have realized that teenagers rarely see doctors, it is an unmet need,” Ciccia said.
Addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse early on is key for student health and, by extension, their academic success. Students will have access for treatment of acute illnesses, such as flu, and chronic conditions, including asthma and diabetes. The can also be screened for dental, vision, and hearing problems.
“School-based health centers emphasize disease prevention and early intervention,” Ciccia said. “It will be convenient for parents as well because they will not have to take off work to take a child to the doctor.”
In a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, students who used the clinic were significantly more likely to stay in school and graduate or be promoted than students who were not registered for the clinic. This relationship was strongest for minority and poorer students who used the clinic. They were nearly three times more likely to stay in school than their peers who did not use the clinic.
The Affordable Care Act appropriated $200 million for 2010 through 2013 to support capital grants for school-based health centers.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com