Schools consider one-stop health clinics

Medical, mental and dental professionals would offer services

The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee passed House Bill 889 on June 8, putting the St. Charles Community Health Center one step closer to its dream of providing the parish with school-based wellness centers.

If the bill makes it past a vote of the entire House, it would raise the tax on tobacco products by 50 cents and help fund 2 percent of the costs for school-based health centers.
The idea of a school-based wellness center in the parish was first pitched at a School Board Finance Committee meeting in April, drawing a lot of attention and questions by the members.

“Since 1985, state, federal and private foundation funds have been used to develop and execute programs to provide expanded school health services to pre-school and school-age children,” said Yvonne Gaspard, SCCHC’s community liaison.
“And through health teams composed of professionals in the medical, mental and dental heath fields, we can provide that through school-based wellness centers.”

The proposed center would be a modular building constructed on property  between  Albert Cammon Middle School and St. Rose Elementary in St. Rose, bringing comprehensive primary care services to the schools that have health issues that may interfere with a student’s education.

Eventually, SCCHC would like to offer the health centers at more than one school.

“Our ideal center would work in conjunction with school nurses and counselors to provide convenient access to primary and preventative physical, mental and dental health services for public school students,” added Gaspard.

The documented benefits of a school-based wellness center are simple – diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses, comprehensive medical exams, immunizations and prescriptions for medications, acute care for minor illnesses and injuries at school, and mental health counseling and health education focused on diet, exercise and obesity.

“The wellness staff will work in partnership with the school nurse and school counselor to provide a continuum of care for students – they do not replace any school staff,” Gaspard said. “The St. Charles Community Health Center’s role will be to hire the healthcare professionals, process insurance billing, ensure adherence to state and federal regulations, provide liability insurance coverage for our staff, and ensure that all staff is credentialed.”

When constructed, the centers will require all parent’s permission to treat students, provide health care on campus, retain diabetic and asthmatic students in school and provide emergency on-site care for injuries.

“The role of the school system is to provide in-kind support for the center, such as space, utilities and custodial services,” Gaspard said. “And to orientate healthcare staff about school policies.”

SCCHC hopes to have the center in place by fall of 2010 or January 2011, at the latest.

House Bill 889 will now be voted on the House floor. The amendments will specify how the money raised will be used.

 

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