School board approves school-based health center at Blue Ridge

School board approves school-based health center at Blue Ridge

TUESDAY, SEPT. 4, 2012 -- School board members voted 3-2 to approve a proposal from The Health Center to expand and develop a school-based health center at Blue Ridge Elementary. Prior to the vote, The Health Center Executive Director Holly Howard answered questions during a public work session and detailed how the center would operate.

The Health Center at Blue Ridge will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and serve P-5 students. The staff will share space with the Blue Ridge Health Clinician who provides service to the school during the morning hours. The school currently does not have coverage in the afternoon.

School board members will receive a progress report in June to review the number of referrals and the center's impact on local medical providers.

"I feel strongly that we have been given this opportunity to show that we can foster stronger partnerships in our community and that we are here to provide care for the students," Howard said. "We will communicate with parents, providers, students, and the school and will work hard to deliver stronger health care for these young people. The Health Center at Blue Ridge will reduce barriers to access and keep students developing into healthier learners."

The school-based health center at Lincoln HS is beginning year four.