Governor Mike DeWine on Friday announced more than $25 million in funding for “School-Based Health Centers” throughout the state.
The money, which is from the federal government and available through the American Rescue Plan, will fund 136 new or expanded centers.
The centers provide many primary care and preventative care services to students who are in need. Furthermore, some of the clinics will offer vision, dental, behavioral health and other healthcare services.
“Studies have shown that health and wellness are interconnected,” said DeWine. “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.”
In total, 15 contracts will be awarded to develop new centers in certain school districts. One hundred seven contracts will be utilized to improve and expand existing School-Based Health Centers.
“School-based health initiatives help ensure students are in school, healthy, and ready to learn through a school or district’s partnerships with health care providers and other community organizations. These clinics have emerged as effective models to improve student access to healthcare and have helped closed the gap for children in underserved communities,” DeWine’s press release explained.
The American Rescue plan has given DeWine extra funding to address the priorities of the administration. For example, he previously awarded grants to law enforcement agencies in the state.
Specifically, $424,871 was spread across 13 recruitment grants, going to a dozen local agencies.
“Law enforcement is a distinguished and honorable profession, but agencies all over the country are facing serious shortages in new recruits, which is dangerous for the current workforce and for the citizens they serve and protect,” said DeWine. “The agencies receiving grants today have all developed plans that will help them recruit more qualified job candidates, particularly women and minorities who oftentimes face barriers to employment in criminal justice careers.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
